USCIS Spends $10.5M on IT Equipment from Westwind Computer Products Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,522,165 ($10.5M)

Contractor: Westwind Computer Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PURCHASE OF IT EQUIPMENT (WORKSTATIONS, MONITORS, NOTEBOOKS, DOCKING STATIONS, SCANNERS, AND PRINTERS) FOR USCIS.

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP SPRINGS, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20588

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.5 million to WESTWIND COMPUTER PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: PURCHASE OF IT EQUIPMENT (WORKSTATIONS, MONITORS, NOTEBOOKS, DOCKING STATIONS, SCANNERS, AND PRINTERS) FOR USCIS. Key points: 1. Significant investment in essential IT hardware for USCIS operations. 2. Procurement utilizes full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty. 4. The contract duration of 277 days is relatively short for a large equipment purchase.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $10.5M for IT equipment appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT hardware procurements would provide a more definitive assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process was initiated. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Ensures USCIS personnel have up-to-date technology for critical immigration services. Supports the operational efficiency of a major federal agency. The purchase of standard IT equipment is a common and necessary government function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders or the competitive range.
The 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause warrants further investigation to understand its justification and impact.

Positive Signals

Utilizes a firm fixed-price contract.
Awarded under full and open competition.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under IT equipment, a sector with consistent government demand. Spending benchmarks for similar IT hardware purchases can vary widely based on quantity, specifications, and market conditions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger vehicle, suggesting some level of pre-existing oversight. The 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' aspect may require additional scrutiny from oversight bodies.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of small business participation.
Contract duration may be short for the scope of equipment.
Need for detailed cost breakdown to verify value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.5 million to WESTWIND COMPUTER PRODUCTS, INC.. PURCHASE OF IT EQUIPMENT (WORKSTATIONS, MONITORS, NOTEBOOKS, DOCKING STATIONS, SCANNERS, AND PRINTERS) FOR USCIS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTWIND COMPUTER PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2026-06-30.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in this 'full and open competition' award, and did it limit the number of potential bidders?

The justification for excluding sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award is crucial. Typically, this implies that while the competition was broadly open, certain pre-qualified or specific sources were initially considered or that specific requirements led to the exclusion of others. Understanding the rationale behind this exclusion is vital to assess if it truly maximized competition and achieved the best possible price for taxpayers, or if it inadvertently narrowed the field.

How does the per-unit cost of these IT equipment items compare to government-wide purchasing agreements (GWACs) or other established federal IT procurement vehicles?

Comparing the per-unit cost of the workstations, monitors, and other peripherals to those available through established GWACs like NASA SEWP or NIH CIO-SP3, or through the General Services Administration (GSA) schedules, is essential. This benchmark will reveal if USCIS secured a competitive price or if alternative procurement channels might have offered better value. Significant deviations could indicate either exceptional negotiation or a missed opportunity for savings.

What is the expected lifespan and performance of the procured IT equipment, and how does this align with USCIS's operational needs and technology refresh cycles?

The effectiveness of this IT equipment purchase hinges on its suitability for USCIS's long-term operational needs. Assessing the expected lifespan, performance capabilities, and warranty terms against the agency's technology refresh cycles is important. If the equipment is procured with a short expected useful life or inadequate performance, it could lead to premature replacement costs and operational disruptions, diminishing the overall value of the investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR25Q00000135

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5655 JEFFERSON STREET NE SUITE B, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87109

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,401,289

Exercised Options: $10,522,165

Current Obligation: $10,522,165

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD04B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline