Agriculture Department awards $803K for laptops, highlighting electronic computer manufacturing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,300 ($80.3K)

Contractor: Government Acquisitions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 120 days

Daily Burn Rate: $669/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FY26 LAPTOP ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45202

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $80,300 to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC for work described as: FY26 LAPTOP ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and short duration. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for electronic computer manufacturing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the straightforward nature of the procurement and established contractor. 4. Performance context is a short-term call against a BPA, indicating routine operational needs. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT hardware procurement landscape for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $803,000 for 120 days of laptop supply is within a reasonable range for federal IT procurements. While specific unit costs are not provided, the firm fixed-price structure suggests the government secured pricing upfront. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale laptop orders indicates this is a moderate-sized acquisition, likely reflecting standard market pricing for commercial off-the-shelf equipment.

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 bids. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the use of this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of vendors to participate. This approach is standard for commodity IT hardware where multiple manufacturers and resellers exist.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive pricing that full and open competition typically generates, ensuring the government is not overpaying for essential IT equipment.

Public Impact

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture is the primary beneficiary, receiving necessary computing resources. The services delivered include the provision of electronic computers (laptops) to support agency operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Ohio, where the contract is being fulfilled. Workforce implications include enabling ARS employees to perform their research and administrative duties effectively with updated technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for outdated technology if delivery timelines are not met.
Dependence on a single BPA call for immediate needs could be a bottleneck if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short duration limits long-term financial exposure.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contractor is Government Acquisitions Inc., suggesting potential familiarity with government procurement processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically the hardware procurement sub-sector. The market for laptops is highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and resellers. Federal spending on IT hardware is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Agriculture relying on these procurements to maintain operational capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal laptop procurements of similar volume and specifications.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses would have had the opportunity to compete through the full and open competition process, potentially as subcontractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal as a direct set-aside, but they could participate as part of larger bids or through subcontracting opportunities if Government Acquisitions Inc. utilizes them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and the Agricultural Research Service's program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being awarded under full and open competition, with details typically available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Hardware Procurement
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Department of Agriculture IT Modernization Efforts
Electronic Computer Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for delivery delays impacting operational continuity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $80,300 to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC. FY26 LAPTOP ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $80,300.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the typical track record of Government Acquisitions Inc. in fulfilling federal IT hardware contracts?

Government Acquisitions Inc. has a history of serving federal agencies, often acting as a reseller or integrator for various IT products. Their track record typically involves navigating federal procurement regulations and delivering goods as specified. While specific performance metrics for past IT hardware contracts are not detailed here, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests a level of experience. Further analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and contract completion data for similar procurements to assess their reliability and efficiency in delivering electronic equipment within specified timelines and budgets.

How does the $803,000 value compare to similar federal laptop procurements?

The $803,000 value for this laptop order is considered a moderate-sized acquisition within the federal IT landscape. Similar procurements can range from tens of thousands for small departmental needs to millions for large-scale agency-wide refresh cycles. This specific contract, with a duration of 120 days, suggests it's for immediate or short-term operational requirements rather than a comprehensive, multi-year refresh. Benchmarking against other BPA calls or specific solicitations for commercial laptops of similar quantities would provide a more precise value comparison, but the amount itself does not immediately suggest overpricing or under-resourcing for its stated purpose.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific laptop procurement?

The primary risks associated with this laptop procurement are relatively low due to its nature. Potential risks include delivery delays, which could impact the Agricultural Research Service's operations, although the short 120-day duration mitigates this somewhat. Another risk is the possibility of receiving technology that quickly becomes outdated, though this is inherent in hardware procurement. Ensuring the laptops meet the specific technical requirements for ARS's research and administrative tasks is crucial. Given the firm fixed-price contract and full and open competition, significant financial risks are minimized, assuming the contractor fulfills the terms.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition' strategy for acquiring standard IT hardware like laptops?

The 'Full and Open Competition' strategy is generally highly effective for acquiring standard IT hardware like laptops. This approach maximizes the pool of potential bidders, leading to increased price competition and potentially better value for the government. It also ensures that a wide range of vendors, including those who might not typically hold specific contract vehicles, have an opportunity to compete. For commodity items like laptops, where the market is robust and specifications are well-defined, this method is ideal for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring access to the latest commercially available technology. The primary challenge can be the administrative overhead of managing a broader competition.

What are the historical spending patterns for electronic computer manufacturing by the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for electronic computer manufacturing by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) would likely show consistent, albeit fluctuating, expenditures on IT hardware. Agencies of the USDA's size require a continuous supply of computing devices to support diverse operations, from agricultural research to administrative functions across numerous sub-agencies like the Agricultural Research Service. Annual spending can vary based on modernization cycles, budget allocations, and specific project needs. Analyzing past USDA IT procurement data, particularly for laptops and desktops, would reveal trends in contract values, types of hardware acquired, and primary vendors used over several fiscal years.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2060 READING ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $80,300

Exercised Options: $80,300

Current Obligation: $80,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12314425A0008

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline