Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Awards $3.6M for Large Printers, Raising Value Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,599 ($3.6K)

Contractor: Affigent, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-03

Contract Duration: 92 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LARGE PRINTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MUSKOGEE, MUSKOGEE County, OKLAHOMA, 74401

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3,599.18 to AFFIGENT, LLC for work described as: LARGE PRINTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $3.6 million for printers appears high, warranting scrutiny. 2. Competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', which may limit true market price discovery. 3. The short duration (92 days) for a large printer contract is unusual. 4. The sector is IT hardware, with significant market competition typically available.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The $3.6 million award for printers seems excessive, especially for a 92-day delivery order. Benchmarking against similar large-scale printer procurements is crucial to determine if this price reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery and the final negotiated price.

Taxpayer Impact: The high contract value raises concerns about potential overspending of taxpayer funds if the pricing is not competitive.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential office equipment. Limited competition could lead to higher prices than necessary. The specific need for 'large printers' at this cost requires justification.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 39 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value for printers
Limited competition method
Short contract duration for hardware delivery

Positive Signals

Contract awarded
Clear delivery dates

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the IT hardware sector, specifically electronic computer manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for large-scale printer acquisitions vary widely based on volume, features, and service agreements, but $3.6 million for a 92-day delivery order is notably high.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract type is a Delivery Order, suggesting it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would focus on the justification for the exclusion of sources and the reasonableness of the price.

Related Government Programs

Electronic Computer Manufacturing
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

High unit cost potential
Limited competitive landscape
Lack of transparency in source exclusion
Potential for vendor lock-in
Unclear long-term value

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3,599.18 to AFFIGENT, LLC. LARGE PRINTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AFFIGENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,599.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-03.

What is the justification for excluding specific sources in a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award for printers?

The justification for excluding sources typically involves specific technical requirements, existing infrastructure compatibility, or unique service needs that only certain vendors can meet. However, for standard hardware like printers, such exclusions warrant close examination to ensure they are not artificially limiting competition and inflating prices. The agency must provide a clear rationale demonstrating why the excluded sources could not fulfill the requirement.

How does the $3.6 million price point compare to industry benchmarks for similar large printer procurements, considering the 92-day delivery window?

A $3.6 million price for printers delivered within 92 days appears significantly high. Industry benchmarks for large-scale printer deployments, even with advanced features and service contracts, rarely reach this figure for such a short delivery period. This suggests a potential lack of competitive pricing or a misunderstanding of the market value for the specified equipment.

What is the long-term effectiveness and value proposition of acquiring printers through this specific contract mechanism?

The long-term effectiveness is questionable given the high price and limited competition. While the immediate need for printers is met, the potential for overpayment reduces the overall value. Future procurements should aim for broader competition and potentially explore leasing or managed print services for better long-term cost control and efficiency.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation, Inc.

Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR STE 700, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,599

Exercised Options: $3,599

Current Obligation: $3,599

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1626D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline