Census Bureau Spends $39.5M on FF&E for Visually Impaired, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,473,467 ($39.5M)
Contractor: Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2021-09-17
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,474 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FF&E CENSUS HQ REIMANGED
Place of Performance
Location: MILWAUKEE, MILWAUKEE County, WISCONSIN, 53214
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $39.5 million to INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC. for work described as: FF&E CENSUS HQ REIMANGED Key points: 1. Significant expenditure on furniture and fixtures for the Census Bureau. 2. Contract awarded to Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. 3. Lack of competition raises questions about price discovery and value. 4. Long contract duration of nearly 5 years. 5. Sector is Furniture Merchant Wholesalers.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $39.5 million for FF&E is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value. The benchmark for similar contracts is unavailable, making a direct comparison impossible.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is designated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a limited source. This significantly restricts price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these goods, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for furniture and fixtures due to the absence of competitive bidding. The contract supports a specific mission to employ visually impaired individuals, which has social benefits. Transparency in government spending is reduced when competition is limited.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- High contract value
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports employment for visually impaired individuals
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Furniture Merchant Wholesalers. Government spending in this sector can vary widely, but large, non-competitive awards warrant scrutiny to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
While the awardee is a non-profit organization focused on employing visually impaired individuals, the lack of broader competition means other small businesses in the furniture wholesale sector were not considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation requires strong justification and oversight to ensure it is used appropriately and not to circumvent competitive processes. The Census Bureau needs to ensure accountability for this expenditure.
Related Government Programs
- Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Census Bureau Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition
- Limited transparency in pricing
- Long-term commitment without competitive validation
- High dollar value of the award
Tags
furniture-merchant-wholesalers, department-of-commerce, wi, purchase-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $39.5 million to INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.. FF&E CENSUS HQ REIMANGED
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-17. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the justification for limiting competition on this significant FF&E contract?
The data indicates the contract is with 'INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED, INC.' This suggests a potential justification based on specific socio-economic goals or a unique capability. However, without further details, it's unclear if this justification fully accounts for the $39.5 million expenditure and the absence of any competitive process.
How can the government ensure fair pricing without competition for FF&E?
When competition is limited, agencies should employ robust price analysis techniques. This includes comparing proposed prices to historical prices for similar items, using independent government cost estimates, and negotiating aggressively. For this contract, the Census Bureau should have conducted thorough market research to establish a reasonable price baseline.
What is the long-term value proposition of this contract for the Census Bureau?
The long-term value hinges on the quality and suitability of the FF&E provided and the reliability of the supplier. Given the nearly five-year duration, the Census Bureau is committing significant resources. Ensuring the furniture meets operational needs and the contract terms are favorable will be crucial for realizing value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Furniture and Home Furnishing Merchant Wholesalers › Furniture Merchant Wholesalers
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 445 S CURTIS RD, WEST ALLIS, WI, 53214
Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,480,000
Exercised Options: $39,480,000
Current Obligation: $39,473,467
Actual Outlays: $158,609
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-17
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-11
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