Commerce awards $324K for Cisco MDS Line Cards to Thundercat Technology under BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $324,390 ($324.4K)
Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-05-07
Contract Duration: 30 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CISCO MDS LINE CARDS
Place of Performance
Location: TUSCALOOSA, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35401
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $324,389.68 to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: CISCO MDS LINE CARDS Key points: 1. Spending on Cisco MDS Line Cards totals $324,389.68. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. The award was made via a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework. 4. The contract is for a short duration of 30 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $324,389.68 for a 30-day period for Cisco MDS Line Cards appears high for a short-term need. Benchmarking against similar, longer-term procurements or bulk purchases would be necessary to assess true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for price discovery. However, the use of a BPA Call might limit the number of active bidders compared to a direct solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for IT hardware. The competitive nature of the award is intended to ensure fair pricing, but the overall value for the duration needs scrutiny.
Public Impact
Ensures operational continuity for critical network infrastructure. Supports the Department of Commerce's IT needs. Potential for future hardware refresh or expansion needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High per-unit cost potential due to short duration.
- Limited visibility into long-term hardware strategy.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Awarded under an existing BPA Call.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the IT hardware and networking sector. Spending on network infrastructure components like line cards is common across federal agencies to maintain and upgrade data communication systems.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific award or the underlying BPA. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which implies some level of pre-negotiation and oversight. The short duration may limit the scope for extensive oversight during the performance period.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- Office of the Secretary Programs
Risk Flags
- Short contract duration may indicate an urgent, potentially unplanned need.
- High potential for inflated per-unit costs due to short term.
- Limited visibility into long-term IT hardware strategy.
- BPA Call usage might restrict broader market competition.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-commerce, al, bpa-call, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $324,389.68 to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. CISCO MDS LINE CARDS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, 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 $324,389.68.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-07.
What is the justification for purchasing line cards on a short-term basis rather than a longer-term contract or through existing maintenance agreements?
The short 30-day duration suggests an urgent, immediate need for these specific Cisco MDS line cards. This could be due to unexpected equipment failure, a surge in demand, or a gap-filling measure before a larger, more strategic procurement is finalized. Without further context, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason, but it points towards an immediate operational requirement.
How does the pricing of these line cards compare to market rates and other federal contracts, given the short performance period?
Benchmarking the price is challenging due to the short 30-day period. Typically, longer-term contracts or bulk purchases secure better per-unit pricing. The 'fair' rating suggests the price is within an acceptable range for this specific, short-term acquisition, but it may not represent the best possible value compared to a more extended commitment or a different procurement strategy.
What is the long-term strategy for network hardware procurement and lifecycle management within the Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce?
This single award provides limited insight into the agency's broader IT hardware strategy. The reliance on a BPA Call for a specific component suggests an existing framework for IT procurement. However, understanding the agency's approach to lifecycle management, standardization, and future technology adoption would require a review of multiple contracts and IT asset management plans.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - STORAGE
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thundercat Technology LLC
Address: 11190 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $324,390
Exercised Options: $324,390
Current Obligation: $324,390
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1331L525A13OS0018
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-05-07
Potential End Date: 2026-11-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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