Apple docking stations purchased for $7,279 by U.S. Agency for Global Media, competed under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,279 ($7.3K)

Contractor: MAC Business Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: U.S. Agency for Global Media

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-06-06

Contract Duration: 61 days

Daily Burn Rate: $119/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: APPLE DOCKING STATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20237

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. Agency for Global Media obligated $7,279 to MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: APPLE DOCKING STATIONS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature of the purchase order. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a limited competition scenario, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small dollar value and short duration. 4. Performance context is a simple product delivery, with limited complexity. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7,279 for Apple docking stations is relatively small. Without specific unit pricing or a detailed scope of work, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. The price appears to be within a reasonable range for this type of IT hardware procurement, especially considering potential bulk discounts or specific configurations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less formal solicitation process than full and open competition. While the data indicates 2 bidders, the specific details of the solicitation (e.g., number of solicitations issued, outreach efforts) are not provided. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices compared to a broader, more competitive environment, but for smaller procurements, it can also be an efficient way to obtain goods and services.

Taxpayer Impact: For this small purchase, the limited competition likely had a minimal impact on taxpayer dollars. The efficiency gained through SAP may outweigh any potential price increase from fewer bidders.

Public Impact

The U.S. Agency for Global Media benefits from the acquisition of necessary IT equipment. Services delivered include the provision of Apple docking stations. Geographic impact is localized to the District of Columbia, where the agency is presumably located. Workforce implications involve enabling agency staff with the required hardware for their roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher prices due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes assessing overall value difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Short duration and low dollar value minimize financial risk.
Procurement under SAP can be efficient for small purchases.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519). This category encompasses a wide range of IT services, including hardware procurement and related support. The market for IT hardware, such as docking stations, is generally competitive, with numerous manufacturers and resellers. The spending benchmark for similar IT hardware procurements can vary widely based on quantity, brand, and specific features, but this $7,279 purchase is a modest expenditure within the broader federal IT landscape.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a small purchase under SAP, there may be implicit opportunities for small businesses to participate if they are aware of and respond to solicitations. However, without specific subcontracting requirements or set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this particular transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the U.S. Agency for Global Media's internal procurement and financial management controls. As a relatively small purchase, it is unlikely to be subject to extensive external oversight unless specific red flags are raised. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are less publicly detailed than larger contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Hardware Procurement
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)
Purchase Orders
Apple Products Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition may have impacted price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. Agency for Global Media awarded $7,279 to MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC.. APPLE DOCKING STATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. Agency for Global Media (U.S. Agency for Global Media).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,279.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-06-06.

What is the typical unit cost for Apple docking stations procured by the federal government?

Determining a precise 'typical' unit cost for Apple docking stations is challenging due to variations in models, configurations, and bulk purchasing agreements. However, based on publicly available commercial pricing and general federal procurement trends for similar IT peripherals, individual docking stations can range from $100 to $300 or more. For a purchase of $7,279 with 2 bidders, if we assume a quantity of, for example, 50 units, the average unit cost would be approximately $145. This falls within a plausible range, especially if the procurement involved specific models or included some level of support or warranty. Without knowing the exact quantity and model, a definitive benchmark is difficult, but the implied unit cost appears reasonable for this type of hardware.

How does the competition level of 2 bidders under SAP impact the price paid by the U.S. Agency for Global Media?

A competition level of 2 bidders under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests a limited market response. While SAP is designed for efficiency in smaller procurements, a low number of bidders can potentially lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a full and open competition with numerous offers. The U.S. Agency for Global Media may not have received the most competitive price possible if more vendors were aware of and chose to bid on the requirement. However, for a small purchase like this ($7,279), the difference in price might be marginal, and the efficiency of using SAP could offset any minor price disadvantage. The agency should ensure that its solicitation efforts under SAP were adequate to encourage reasonable competition within the available market.

What are the risks associated with a firm fixed-price purchase order for IT hardware?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) purchase orders, like the one issued for Apple docking stations, generally carry low risk for the government. The primary benefit of FFP is that the contractor assumes all responsibility for cost overruns. This means the U.S. Agency for Global Media will pay the agreed-upon price regardless of the contractor's actual costs. The main risk for the government in an FFP contract is paying too high a price if the initial negotiation or competition was not robust, or if the contractor underestimated their costs and subsequently cuts corners on quality or delivery. However, for standard IT hardware like docking stations, the risks are typically minimal, especially with a short duration and a clear product specification.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' by the U.S. Agency for Global Media?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) requires access to comprehensive federal procurement databases. This specific purchase order of $7,279 represents a very small transaction within this category. Without a broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if this is a typical expenditure, an outlier, or part of a larger trend. USAGM, like many government agencies, likely procures a variety of IT goods and services. Understanding their historical spending would involve looking at multiple contracts over several fiscal years to identify patterns in the types of services sought, average contract values, and primary contractors within this NAICS code.

What is the track record of 'MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC.' as a federal contractor?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'MAC BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC.' as a federal contractor is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for their contract history. This would reveal past performance, types of contracts awarded, agencies served, and potentially any performance issues or awards. For this specific $7,279 purchase order, it represents a single, small transaction. A comprehensive assessment would require examining a larger portfolio of their federal contracts to evaluate their reliability, pricing competitiveness, and overall performance history.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 611 S FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20877

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,279

Exercised Options: $7,279

Current Obligation: $7,279

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline