Interior Department awards $8,898 IT order to Countertrade Products, Inc. for George Washington Carver National Monument

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,899 ($8.9K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-13

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $148/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT - DOI STOREFRONT

Place of Performance

Location: DIAMOND, NEWTON County, MISSOURI, 64840

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $8,898.56 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT - DOI STOREFRONT Key points: 1. This contract represents a small but specific IT hardware purchase for a national monument. 2. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The short duration suggests a focused need for the equipment. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 5. The specific NAICS code points to the manufacturing of electronic computers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $8,898.56 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger IT contracts difficult. Without specific line-item details or market research data from the agency, it's challenging to definitively benchmark the value for money. However, the firm-fixed-price contract type suggests the government aimed to secure a set price, which can be advantageous if the vendor's pricing is competitive. The limited scope and duration imply a targeted procurement rather than a broad strategic investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the designation implies a competitive process was intended and likely executed. This approach generally allows for a wider range of potential vendors to participate, potentially leading to better pricing and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the opportunity for the government to receive the best possible pricing and terms by engaging a broad base of suppliers.

Public Impact

The George Washington Carver National Monument will benefit from updated or replacement electronic computer hardware. Park staff at the monument will have access to necessary IT equipment for their operations. The services delivered are the provision of electronic computer manufacturing goods. The geographic impact is localized to the George Washington Carver National Monument in Missouri.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detail on the specific type of electronic computer and its technical specifications makes it difficult to assess if it meets current or future operational needs.
The short performance period (60 days) might indicate a rushed procurement or a temporary need, raising questions about long-term IT planning.
Without knowing the number of bidders, it's hard to confirm the extent of competition and its potential impact on price.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests an effort to leverage the broader market for potential cost savings and vendor options.
The specific NAICS code (334111) indicates a focus on a particular segment of the IT manufacturing market, suggesting a targeted procurement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically related to the manufacturing of electronic computers. The market for IT hardware is vast and highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and suppliers. The value of this specific order is minimal in the context of the overall federal IT spending, which often runs into billions annually. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing prices for similar computer hardware procured by other federal agencies or within the commercial sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As such, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The procurement was open to all responsible sources, meaning large businesses were likely the primary participants. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as no specific set-aside provisions were applied.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Interior's National Park Service contracting officers and potentially the agency's Office of Inspector General, depending on the scale and nature of any potential issues. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract award data. Accountability is established through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the vendor to deliver specified goods within the agreed-upon price and timeframe.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Hardware Procurement
National Park Service Operations Support
George Washington Carver National Monument Operations
Electronic Computer Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of specific technical details
Limited competition visibility (number of bidders unknown)
Absence of historical spending context
Unknown contractor performance history

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $8,898.56 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. SUPPLY, FY26 1ST CYCLE IT ORDER - GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER NATIONAL MONUMENT - DOI STOREFRONT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,898.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-13. End: 2026-06-12.

What specific type of electronic computer was procured, and what are its technical specifications?

The provided data identifies the NAICS code as 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) but does not specify the exact type of computer (e.g., desktop, laptop, server) or its technical specifications. This level of detail is crucial for assessing the suitability of the hardware for the National Park Service's needs at the George Washington Carver National Monument and for comparing its value against market offerings. Without this information, it's impossible to determine if the procured equipment is adequate for current tasks or future requirements, or if it represents a competitive price for the technology acquired.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what was the range of pricing offered?

The data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' which implies a solicitation process designed to attract multiple bidders. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided. Knowing the number of bidders and the pricing range would offer significant insight into the competitiveness of the award. A higher number of bids typically suggests a more robust competition, potentially leading to lower prices for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids might indicate limited market interest or potential barriers to entry for other vendors, which could impact price discovery and taxpayer value.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT hardware at the George Washington Carver National Monument?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single, recent award and does not offer historical spending patterns for IT hardware at the George Washington Carver National Monument. To establish a historical context, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar goods and services for this specific monument or the broader National Park Service. Understanding historical spending would allow for a comparison of current pricing against past expenditures, identification of trends in IT procurement, and assessment of whether current spending aligns with previous investment levels or shows significant deviations that warrant further investigation.

Does Countertrade Products, Inc. have a significant track record with the Department of the Interior or similar agencies for IT hardware supply?

The provided data identifies Countertrade Products, Inc. as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance or track record, particularly with the Department of the Interior or similar agencies for IT hardware supply. A review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their history. Assessing a contractor's past performance is critical for evaluating reliability, quality of goods/services, and adherence to contract terms. A strong track record with relevant agencies can provide confidence in the current award, while a limited or poor history might raise concerns about potential risks.

What is the justification for selecting this specific electronic computer model, if known, and how does it align with the agency's IT modernization goals?

The data does not provide the specific justification for selecting the electronic computer model or detail how it aligns with the agency's IT modernization goals. Such justifications are typically documented within the procurement file. Understanding the rationale behind the selection is important for assessing whether the purchase represents a strategic investment or a tactical, potentially short-sighted, acquisition. If the agency has stated IT modernization objectives, this purchase should ideally contribute to those goals, whether through enhanced capabilities, improved efficiency, or replacement of outdated systems. Without this context, the purchase appears as an isolated transaction.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140P6426Q0041

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7585 W 66TH AVE, ARVADA, CO, 80003

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,899

Exercised Options: $8,899

Current Obligation: $8,899

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC05B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline