Commerce Department awards $10.8M contract for copier services, with a 274-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,839 ($10.8K)

Contractor: Cartridge Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 274 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: COPIERS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10,838.79 to CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: COPIERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 2. The contract is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government. 3. The contractor, Cartridge Technologies, LLC, is a single awardee for this specific BPA Call. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 indicates a broad range of 'Other Computer Related Services'. 5. The contract duration of 274 days is relatively short, suggesting a specific, time-bound need. 6. The contract was competed, indicating some level of market engagement. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific service details and comparable contract data. The total award amount of $10.8M for a period of 274 days suggests a significant per diem cost. However, the nature of 'copier services' can vary widely, from equipment leasing to maintenance and supply provision. Without knowing the exact scope and volume of services, a direct comparison to market rates or similar contracts is difficult. The Firm Fixed Price structure offers predictability, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the efficiency and quality of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and awarded as a BPA Call. While 'competed' is indicated, the specifics of the competition, such as the number of bids received or the extent of outreach, are not detailed in the provided data. SAP is typically used for procurements valued below certain thresholds, and BPA Calls are calls against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. This suggests that while competition occurred, it may have been within a pre-established framework or among a limited pool of pre-qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally aims to achieve fair and reasonable pricing. The fact that it was competed suggests taxpayers benefit from a price that has been tested against market offers, even if the process is expedited.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Commerce, particularly in the Office of the Secretary, are likely direct beneficiaries of the services provided, ensuring operational continuity. The services delivered are related to 'Other Computer Related Services,' which in this context likely pertains to the provision, maintenance, or management of office equipment such as copiers and printers. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where the Department of Commerce is headquartered. Workforce implications are minimal for the government, but the contract supports jobs within the private sector contractor, Cartridge Technologies, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment difficult.
Limited information on the competitive process beyond 'competed under SAP'.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or potential for future re-competition with evolving requirements.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Awarded under a BPA Call, potentially leveraging pre-negotiated terms and conditions.
Contract was competed, indicating an effort to obtain competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, specifically focusing on office equipment and related support, is a mature market. Contracts for copier services, including leasing, maintenance, and supplies, are common across federal agencies. The NAICS code 541519 is broad, but in this context, it likely encompasses the managed print services or equipment provision. Spending benchmarks for such services vary significantly based on the volume, type of equipment, and service level agreements. The $10.8M award for a less-than-a-year period suggests a substantial requirement, possibly for a large number of devices or comprehensive managed services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, this specific award does not directly contribute to the federal small business contracting goals. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as it does not appear to involve set-asides or specific subcontracting opportunities for them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. As a Firm Fixed Price contract, the primary accountability measure is the delivery of the specified services within the agreed-upon terms and price. Transparency is moderate, as contract awards are generally public, but the detailed performance metrics and oversight activities may not be readily accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules for IT and office equipment.
Agency-specific IT procurement vehicles.
Managed Print Services contracts.
Office Equipment Leasing and Maintenance.

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if service scope is not clearly defined.
Risk of suboptimal value if contractor performance is not closely monitored.
Limited transparency into the specific competitive process for the BPA Call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10,838.79 to CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. COPIERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,838.79.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific services are included under the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code for this contract?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' For this specific contract, awarded as a BPA Call for 'COPIERS,' the services likely encompass the provision, installation, maintenance, repair, and potentially the supply of consumables (like toner and paper) for copier and printer equipment. This could range from simple equipment leasing to comprehensive managed print services, where the contractor takes responsibility for the entire lifecycle of the printing infrastructure. Without further details from the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), the exact scope remains ambiguous, but it is centered around ensuring the operational readiness and functionality of essential office copying and printing devices for the Department of Commerce.

How does the $10.8M award amount compare to typical spending on copier services by federal agencies?

Comparing the $10.8M award for a 274-day period requires context regarding the scale of the Department of Commerce and its specific needs. Federal spending on copier services can vary dramatically. Large agencies with numerous locations and high print volumes can easily spend millions annually on managed print services, equipment leases, and supplies. A $10.8M award for less than a year suggests a significant operation, potentially covering a large portion of the Department's copier fleet or a high-demand service level. For perspective, GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) for IT and office equipment often features contracts in this range, but specific comparisons depend on the number of devices, service level agreements (SLAs), and the inclusion of consumables and maintenance.

What are the potential risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price contract for copier services?

While Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty, they can introduce risks for both the government and the contractor, particularly for service-based procurements like copier services. For the government, the risk is paying a premium if the contractor's actual costs are lower than anticipated, especially if the scope is not precisely defined or if service levels are not rigorously monitored. Conversely, the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise, such as equipment failures requiring expensive repairs or unexpected increases in supply costs. If the scope is too narrowly defined, the government might face additional costs for services that fall outside the FFP agreement. Effective management and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the short contract duration of 274 days imply about the government's strategy?

A contract duration of 274 days (approximately 9 months) is relatively short for a service contract of this magnitude. This could imply several strategic considerations by the Department of Commerce. It might indicate a need for services to cover a specific, time-limited project or a transition period before a larger, long-term solution is implemented. Alternatively, the agency may be testing the market or the contractor's performance before committing to a longer-term agreement, using this shorter period as a pilot or initial phase. It could also suggest that the agency is anticipating changes in technology, requirements, or budget allocations, preferring flexibility over a multi-year commitment at this juncture.

How does the BPA Call award mechanism affect competition and pricing?

Awarding a contract via a BPA Call means that the services are being procured against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are typically established through full and open competition or other appropriate methods, creating a pre-vetted list of vendors and pre-negotiated terms. A BPA Call itself is then a task order issued against that BPA. While the initial BPA competition ensures some level of market vetting, the competition for individual BPA Calls can vary. If the BPA was competed broadly, then calls against it can leverage that competition. However, if the BPA itself had limited competition, or if the call is issued to only one vendor under the BPA (as might happen with specific capabilities), the price discovery for that specific call might be less robust than a standalone, full-and-open competition for a new contract. In this case, 'competed under SAP' suggests the BPA itself was likely established under simplified acquisition rules, implying a streamlined, but potentially less extensive, competitive process initially.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15738 CRABBS BRANCH WAY, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20855

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,581

Exercised Options: $10,839

Current Obligation: $10,839

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L521A13ES0013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline