Interior Department awards $45K for laptops, with a per-unit cost of $3,700

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,417 ($45.4K)

Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LAPTOP - PRO 16 PLUS, STANDARD PLUS 15 EA LAPTOP - PRO 14 PLUS, 2-IN-1 5 EA LAPTOP - PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 2 EA 3,700.00

Place of Performance

Location: BOISE, ADA County, IDAHO, 83702

State: Idaho Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $45,416.86 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: LAPTOP - PRO 16 PLUS, STANDARD PLUS 15 EA LAPTOP - PRO 14 PLUS, 2-IN-1 5 EA LAPTOP - PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 2 EA 3,700.00 Key points: 1. Value for money appears questionable given the high per-unit cost. 2. Competition dynamics indicate full and open competition, which should theoretically drive better pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and fixed-price nature of the contract. 4. Performance context is limited to a short delivery window for standard computing equipment. 5. Sector positioning is within the electronics manufacturing and supply chain for government IT needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost of $3,700 for laptops is significantly above typical market rates for standard or even high-end commercial laptops. While specific configurations or ruggedization could increase costs, this price point warrants further scrutiny. Benchmarking against similar government procurements for laptops of comparable specifications would be necessary to definitively assess value, but initial indications suggest this may not be a cost-effective purchase.

Cost Per Unit: $3,700 per unit

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method is generally preferred for ensuring fair pricing and access to a wide range of suppliers. However, the high per-unit cost raises questions about whether the competitive process effectively translated into price savings for the government in this instance.

Taxpayer Impact: While full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, the elevated unit price suggests that taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these laptops.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Reclamation within the Department of the Interior benefits from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of specific laptop models. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Idaho, where the delivery is scheduled. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the IT support staff who will receive and deploy the laptops.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost raises concerns about value for taxpayer money.
Lack of detailed specifications makes it difficult to justify the $3,700 price point.
Short delivery window might limit competitive options, though it was competed full and open.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing potential vendor participation.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short contract duration limits long-term financial exposure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT hardware sector, specifically the manufacturing and distribution of computers. The market for government IT procurement is substantial, with agencies frequently purchasing laptops, desktops, and related peripherals. Comparable spending benchmarks for government laptop procurements vary widely based on specifications, quantity, and competition, but $3,700 per unit is generally considered high for standard configurations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses and that the contractor is not a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award appears to be limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting and financial management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price delivery order structure. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for post-award review.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule IT contracts
Department of Defense IT procurement
Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) spending

Risk Flags

High Unit Cost
Potential Lack of Value for Money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $45,416.86 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. LAPTOP - PRO 16 PLUS, STANDARD PLUS 15 EA LAPTOP - PRO 14 PLUS, 2-IN-1 5 EA LAPTOP - PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 2 EA 3,700.00

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 (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45,416.86.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-01.

What specific features or configurations justify the $3,700 per-unit cost for these laptops?

The provided data lists 'LAPTOP - PRO 16 PLUS, STANDARD PLUS 15 EA', 'LAPTOP - PRO 14 PLUS, 2-IN-1 5 EA', and 'LAPTOP - PRO SEMI RUGGED 14 2 EA' with a total cost of $45,416.86 for 22 units. This averages to $2,064.40 per unit, not $3,700. The $3,700 figure appears to be a typo or misinterpretation in the source data, as the calculation based on the total award and quantity yields a different average. However, even the calculated average of $2,064.40 per unit is high for standard laptops. Without detailed specifications (e.g., processor, RAM, storage, specific ruggedization standards, extended warranties, or specialized software), it is difficult to definitively justify this cost. Government contracts for high-end or specialized rugged laptops can exceed $3,000, but standard models typically fall well below $2,000. Further investigation into the specific product models and their configurations is needed.

How does the $3,700 per-unit cost compare to similar government laptop procurements?

The figure of $3,700 per unit is significantly higher than the average cost for standard government laptop procurements. While specific configurations, such as ruggedized models or those with advanced security features, can command higher prices, typical government laptop purchases under GSA schedules or competitive bids often range from $800 to $1,500 for standard business-class machines. Even high-performance or specialized laptops rarely exceed $2,500 unless they are highly customized or include extensive support packages. The reported $3,700 per unit, if accurate, would place this procurement in the exceptionally high-cost category, suggesting potential issues with value for money or a misunderstanding of the actual unit price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risk associated with this contract is the potential for poor value for taxpayer money due to the exceptionally high per-unit cost of the laptops. While the contract is fixed-price and has a short duration, mitigating financial risks related to cost overruns or extended timelines, the initial acquisition cost appears inflated. Another potential risk is that the specific models procured may not be the most suitable or cost-effective solutions for the Bureau of Reclamation's needs, given the price point. Ensuring that the laptops meet the required technical specifications and performance standards is crucial to mitigate performance risks.

What is the track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Countertrade Products, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous government awards. Agencies typically use past performance information as a key factor in source selection. Without access to this historical data, it's difficult to evaluate their reliability and capability to deliver on this specific laptop procurement.

How does the competition level (full and open) align with the observed unit pricing?

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which is designed to foster a competitive environment that ideally leads to lower prices and better value. However, the high per-unit cost reported ($3,700, or the calculated average of ~$2,064) appears incongruent with the expected outcomes of robust competition for standard IT equipment. This discrepancy could suggest several possibilities: the competition may not have attracted a sufficient number of qualified bidders, the solicitation's requirements might have inadvertently favored specific high-cost solutions, or the market rate for the specific (potentially specialized) laptops procured is indeed that high. Further analysis of the solicitation details and bidder pool would be needed to reconcile the competition level with the pricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar laptop procurements by the Department of the Interior?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for the Department of the Interior's laptop procurements. To establish such a pattern, one would need to analyze past contracts for laptops awarded by the Department, noting quantities, specifications, unit prices, and competition levels over several fiscal years. This analysis would help determine if this $3,700 (or ~$2,064) per-unit cost is an anomaly or part of a trend. Benchmarking against historical data from agencies like the GSA or other large departments could also provide context for typical pricing.

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

Offers Received: 2

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: $45,417

Exercised Options: $45,417

Current Obligation: $45,417

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC05B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline