Agency for International Development awards $125,548.81 for IT equipment, with a significant portion allocated to Countertrade Products

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,839,103 ($35.8M)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2019-04-18

End Date: 2025-02-26

Contract Duration: 2,141 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS ACTION IS TO PROCURE VARIOUS IT EQUIPMENT PER ATTACHED QUOTES FROM COUNTER TRADE PRODUCTS: B436618, B436621, AND B436623, UNDER THE IT DEVICE REFRESH PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,548.81.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20523

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $35.8 million to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: THIS ACTION IS TO PROCURE VARIOUS IT EQUIPMENT PER ATTACHED QUOTES FROM COUNTER TRADE PRODUCTS: B436618, B436621, AND B436623, UNDER THE IT DEVICE REFRESH PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,548.81. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on procuring various IT equipment, indicating a need for hardware refresh. 2. The awardee, Countertrade Products, Inc., secured a substantial portion of the contract value. 3. The contract duration extends over two years, suggesting a phased deployment or ongoing support. 4. The procurement method was full and open competition, allowing any qualified vendor to bid. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The spending is categorized under Electronic Computer Manufacturing (NAICS 334111).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $125,548.81. Without specific details on the IT equipment procured (e.g., laptops, servers, peripherals) and their quantities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar IT equipment procurements by federal agencies would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the agency, but the overall value depends on the quality and suitability of the equipment received.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of this competition type generally promotes a competitive environment. This approach aims to ensure the government receives the best possible pricing and quality by leveraging market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely employees of the Agency for International Development (USAID) who will receive updated IT equipment. The services delivered involve the provision of various IT hardware, essential for daily operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where USAID's headquarters are located. Workforce implications include ensuring USAID staff have reliable and up-to-date technology to perform their duties effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed equipment specifications makes it difficult to assess if the procured items meet specific operational needs.
The contract duration of over two years might lead to technology obsolescence if not managed carefully.
Limited information on the number of bidders prevents a full assessment of competitive intensity.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests an effort to maximize market participation and potentially achieve better pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the agency.
The contract is associated with an IT device refresh project, indicating proactive technology management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically related to the procurement of computer hardware. The federal IT equipment market is vast, with agencies constantly refreshing their hardware to maintain operational efficiency and security. Spending benchmarks for IT equipment vary widely based on the type of hardware, quantity, and specific agency requirements. This particular award represents a relatively small portion of overall federal IT spending.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The procurement was open to all responsible sources, including small businesses if they chose to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Agency for International Development's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed justifications or performance reviews may not always be readily accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Equipment Procurement
Hardware Refresh Programs
Agency for International Development IT Contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (potential vehicle)

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed equipment specifications
Limited information on number of bidders
Unknown contractor past performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $35.8 million to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. THIS ACTION IS TO PROCURE VARIOUS IT EQUIPMENT PER ATTACHED QUOTES FROM COUNTER TRADE PRODUCTS: B436618, B436621, AND B436623, UNDER THE IT DEVICE REFRESH PROJECT, IN THE AMOUNT OF $125,548.81.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Agency for International Development (Agency for International Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-04-18. End: 2025-02-26.

What specific types and quantities of IT equipment were procured under this contract?

The provided data states that the action is to procure 'various IT equipment per attached quotes from Counter Trade Products: B436618, B436621, and B436623'. However, the specific details of these quotes, including the exact types of IT equipment (e.g., laptops, desktops, monitors, servers, networking gear) and their quantities, are not included in the summary data. This level of detail is crucial for a thorough value analysis and to understand the scope of the procurement beyond the total dollar amount.

How does the pricing of the IT equipment compare to market rates or similar federal procurements?

A direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the specific IT equipment procured. If the equipment includes standard items like laptops or monitors, their unit prices could be benchmarked against GSA Schedule pricing, commercial catalog prices, or recent similar federal awards. The firm fixed-price nature means the agency agreed to a set price, but assessing if that price was competitive requires detailed product information and comparison data. Without this, it's challenging to definitively state if the government received optimal value.

What is the track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. in fulfilling federal IT equipment contracts?

The provided data identifies Countertrade Products, Inc. as the awardee but does not offer details on their past performance or track record with federal agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. This information is vital for understanding the risk associated with this awardee.

What is the strategic importance of this IT device refresh project for the Agency for International Development?

The strategic importance lies in ensuring that USAID personnel have reliable, secure, and up-to-date technology to support their mission, which often involves complex international development initiatives. Outdated equipment can lead to decreased productivity, increased cybersecurity risks, and higher maintenance costs. A refresh project indicates a commitment to maintaining an effective technological infrastructure necessary for the agency's operations and its ability to respond to global challenges.

What were the primary drivers for choosing a firm fixed-price contract for this IT equipment procurement?

The primary driver for selecting a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is cost certainty. In an FFP contract, the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. This contract type is typically used when the agency has a clear understanding of the requirements and the scope of work is well-defined, minimizing the risk of cost overruns for the government. For standard IT equipment procurement, where specifications are known, FFP shifts the cost risk to the contractor.

How does this contract's value compare to the Agency for International Development's overall IT spending?

The contract value of $125,548.81 is relatively modest when considered against the total IT spending of a large federal agency like the Agency for International Development. USAID, like other federal entities, invests significantly in IT infrastructure, software, cybersecurity, and services. This specific award likely represents a small component of their broader IT budget, possibly for a specific refresh cycle or a particular office's equipment needs. A precise comparison would require access to USAID's total IT budget and spending reports.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7585 W 66TH AVE, ARVADA, CO, 80003

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,839,103

Exercised Options: $35,839,103

Current Obligation: $35,839,103

Actual Outlays: $35,182,803

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 72MC1019A00001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline