HHS awards $185K for enterprise network copiers, ensuring secure printing access for NIH

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,478 ($18.5K)

Contractor: JTF Business Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-04-08

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENTERPRISE NETWORK COPIERS FOR TWO (2) SEPARATE OFFICE LOCATIONS TO ENSURE RELIABLE, SECURE ACCESS TO PRINTING CAPABILITIES IN DESIGNATED COMMON AREAS. THIS IS TO ALLOW THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER TO PRODUCE LARGE-SCALE PRINT OUTS OF DOCUMENTS TO

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18,478 to JTF BUSINESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: ENTERPRISE NETWORK COPIERS FOR TWO (2) SEPARATE OFFICE LOCATIONS TO ENSURE RELIABLE, SECURE ACCESS TO PRINTING CAPABILITIES IN DESIGNATED COMMON AREAS. THIS IS TO ALLOW THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER TO PRODUCE LARGE-SCALE PRINT OUTS OF DOCUMENTS TO Key points: 1. Contract provides essential printing capabilities for NIH visitor information center. 2. Focus on reliable and secure access to printing services. 3. Procurement method indicates broad market availability. 4. Firm-fixed-price structure offers cost predictability. 5. Contract duration aligns with anticipated operational needs. 6. Small business participation not explicitly detailed, but competition was open.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $184,780 for enterprise network copiers over one year appears reasonable given the need for reliable and secure printing solutions for two office locations. Benchmarking against similar government procurements for office equipment suggests this price point is within expected ranges, especially considering the inclusion of installation, maintenance, and support services often bundled with such contracts. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value by locking in costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of four bids suggests a healthy level of interest from the market, which typically drives competitive pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value. The open competition process is a positive sign for price discovery and ensures the government is likely to receive a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

NIH staff and visitors will benefit from enhanced printing capabilities. Ensures reliable access to printing for large-scale document production. Supports the operational needs of the Visitor Information Center. Geographic impact is limited to the two designated office locations in Virginia. Workforce implications include ensuring essential administrative support functions are met.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if maintenance and supply contracts are not managed effectively.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical printing infrastructure could pose a risk if not properly monitored.
Ensuring the 'secure access' aspect meets evolving cybersecurity standards will be crucial.

Positive Signals

Open competition suggests a robust market offering competitive solutions.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract duration is aligned with typical equipment lifecycle needs.
Award to JTF Business Systems Corporation indicates a known entity in the contracting space.

Sector Analysis

The market for enterprise network copiers and printing solutions is a mature segment within the broader office equipment and IT services sector. Government agencies frequently procure these types of devices to support daily operations. Spending benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on the number of devices, features, and service level agreements, but typically range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually for large organizations. This contract appears to be a moderate-sized procurement focused on specific needs.

Small Business Impact

While this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, the open nature allows small businesses to compete if they possess the necessary capabilities. The prime contractor, JTF Business Systems Corporation, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The firm-fixed-price structure simplifies financial oversight. Accountability measures will be tied to the delivery of specified equipment and services according to the contract terms and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Equipment Procurement
Office Equipment and Supplies
Government Printing Services
NIH Operational Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities if security features are not robust or updated.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical equipment could lead to service disruptions.
Ensuring long-term cost-effectiveness beyond the initial contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18,478 to JTF BUSINESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION. ENTERPRISE NETWORK COPIERS FOR TWO (2) SEPARATE OFFICE LOCATIONS TO ENSURE RELIABLE, SECURE ACCESS TO PRINTING CAPABILITIES IN DESIGNATED COMMON AREAS. THIS IS TO ALLOW THE VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER TO PRODUCE LARGE-SCALE PRINT OUTS OF DOCUMENTS TO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JTF BUSINESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,478.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-08.

What is the track record of JTF Business Systems Corporation in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for similar equipment or services?

A review of federal procurement databases would be necessary to fully assess JTF Business Systems Corporation's track record. However, their selection under full and open competition suggests they met the minimum qualifications and presented a competitive offer. Agencies typically evaluate past performance as part of the source selection process. Without specific data on their past performance ratings or the number and type of previous contracts, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment. Generally, agencies look for a history of successful contract completion, adherence to schedules, and quality of goods or services delivered when evaluating a contractor's past performance.

How does the per-unit cost or total value of this contract compare to similar enterprise copier procurements by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $184,780 contract against similar enterprise copier procurements requires access to detailed data on comparable contracts, including the number of devices, specific models, features, and service level agreements. However, for a one-year contract providing network copiers for two locations, this value appears within a reasonable range for government acquisitions. Factors like advanced security features, high-volume printing capabilities, and comprehensive maintenance packages can significantly influence pricing. Without specific comparable contract details, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the open competition suggests a market-driven price was likely achieved.

What are the specific security features included in these enterprise network copiers to ensure 'reliable, secure access' as stated in the requirement?

The provided data does not specify the exact security features included in the enterprise network copiers. However, 'secure access' in the context of government printing typically implies features such as user authentication (e.g., badge readers, PIN codes), encrypted data transmission, secure print release (requiring user presence to release a job), hard drive overwriting or encryption, and network security protocols (like SNMPv3). The contracting officer and technical evaluators would have assessed whether the proposed copiers met the NIH's specific cybersecurity requirements and standards for handling sensitive information. Verification of these features would likely be part of the acceptance testing and ongoing performance monitoring.

What is the anticipated lifespan or refresh cycle for these copiers, and how does the one-year contract duration align with that?

The contract duration is one year (364 days), with an end date of April 8, 2027. This duration likely represents the initial ordering period or a specific service period, rather than the expected lifespan of the equipment itself. Enterprise network copiers typically have a lifespan of 3-5 years or more, depending on usage, maintenance, and technological advancements. Government agencies often use indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or multi-year contracts with option periods for equipment procurement to align with refresh cycles and ensure long-term support. This one-year contract might be a task order under a larger IDIQ or a standalone procurement for an initial period, with potential for renewal or replacement through subsequent procurements.

How will the performance of the copiers and the service provided by JTF Business Systems Corporation be monitored and evaluated?

Performance monitoring and evaluation will be conducted by the designated government personnel, likely contracting officers' representatives (CORs) or technical points of contact within NIH. They will assess whether the delivered copiers meet the specified technical requirements and performance standards outlined in the contract. Key performance indicators (KPIs) might include uptime/availability, print quality, response time for service calls, and adherence to security protocols. JTF Business Systems Corporation's performance will be evaluated against these metrics, and their record will inform future contracting decisions and potentially impact their past performance ratings for subsequent bids.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Printing and Related Support Activities › Commercial Screen Printing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7370 STEEL MILL DR, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,478

Exercised Options: $18,478

Current Obligation: $18,478

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS03F0182V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline