USPTO Spends $353K on Incentive Program Items via BPA Call with 4imprint Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,324 ($35.3K)
Contractor: 4imprint Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-05-07
Contract Duration: 29 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL IS TO ORDER ITEMS FOR THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
Place of Performance
Location: OSHKOSH, WINNEBAGO County, WISCONSIN, 54901
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $35,324.39 to 4IMPRINT INC for work described as: EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL IS TO ORDER ITEMS FOR THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE. Key points: 1. Spending is for an employee incentive program at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. 2. Contract awarded to 4imprint Inc. for advertising material distribution services. 3. The BPA Call was not competed under SAP, raising potential competition concerns. 4. The sector involves advertising and promotional products, a mature market.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $353,243.90. Without specific itemized costs or benchmarks for similar incentive programs, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed price contract type suggests cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it may have been awarded through a limited competition or a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for employee incentives, which can boost morale but require justification for cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Employees at the USPTO will receive items as part of an incentive program. The program aims to recognize and motivate staff through tangible rewards. The use of taxpayer funds for such programs is subject to public scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition details
- Potential for overpricing due to limited competition
Positive Signals
- Clear purpose for employee incentives
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This purchase falls under advertising material distribution services, often used for promotional items and employee recognition. Spending benchmarks for such services vary widely based on the specific items and quantities procured.
Small Business Impact
Information on whether small businesses were involved or could have competed is not provided. The award to 4imprint Inc. does not specify their small business status.
Oversight & Accountability
The BPA Call mechanism allows for streamlined ordering but requires robust oversight to ensure fair pricing and competition, especially when not competed under SAP.
Related Government Programs
- Advertising Material Distribution Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Unclear small business participation
Tags
advertising-material-distribution-servic, department-of-commerce, wi, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $35,324.39 to 4IMPRINT INC. EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PROGRAM. THE PURPOSE OF THIS BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL IS TO ORDER ITEMS FOR THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is 4IMPRINT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $35,324.39.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-07.
What is the specific breakdown of items and their costs within this incentive program to assess value for money?
A detailed breakdown of items and their associated costs is crucial for a thorough value assessment. Without this, it's challenging to determine if the $353,243.90 award represents a fair market price for the goods procured for the USPTO's employee incentive program. Benchmarking against similar bulk orders of promotional items would be necessary.
What were the specific reasons for not competing this BPA Call under SAP, and what was the process for selecting 4imprint Inc.?
Understanding the rationale behind bypassing SAP competition is key to assessing risk. If 4imprint Inc. was selected via a limited solicitation or as an incumbent on a prior BPA, the agency should have documented justification. This process impacts price discovery and the potential for taxpayers to receive the best value.
How will the effectiveness of this employee incentive program be measured to justify the expenditure?
The effectiveness of the incentive program should be tied to measurable outcomes, such as improved employee morale, productivity, or retention rates. Simply spending funds on items does not guarantee program success. The USPTO should have metrics in place to evaluate the return on investment for this $353,243.90 expenditure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Advertising Material Distribution Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333BJ26Q01110009
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: 4imprint Group PLC
Address: 101 COMMERCE ST, OSHKOSH, WI, 54901
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,324
Exercised Options: $35,324
Current Obligation: $35,324
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 1333BJ26A01110001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-05-07
Potential End Date: 2026-05-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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