Interior's $3.55M Data Collection Contract Awarded to Countertrade Products, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,521 ($35.5K)
Contractor: Countertrade Products, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2026-05-15
Contract Duration: 42 days
Daily Burn Rate: $846/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: MT - MR - DATA COLLECTION PLATFORMS
Place of Performance
Location: BILLINGS, YELLOWSTONE County, MONTANA, 59101
State: Montana Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $35,521 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: MT - MR - DATA COLLECTION PLATFORMS Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.55 million for data collection platforms. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Potential risk associated with limited competition if exclusion was not fully justified. 4. IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.55 million for a 42-day duration appears high for 'Other Computer Related Services'. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts is needed to assess pricing reasonableness.
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, only specific sources were eligible, potentially limiting price discovery and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is moderate, as the limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than a fully open and competitive process.
Public Impact
Ensures the Bureau of Reclamation has necessary data collection capabilities. Supports agency operations in Montana. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition justification
- Short performance period for significant value
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Clear contract scope for data collection
- Defined performance period
- Firm fixed price contract type
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with significant variation based on complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis is needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small businesses in this IT services contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the delivery order meets all requirements and that the justification for excluding sources is robust. The Bureau of Reclamation should monitor performance closely.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- High value for short duration
- Lack of small business involvement
- Unclear justification for source exclusion
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-interior, mt, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $35,521 to COUNTERTRADE PRODUCTS, INC.. MT - MR - DATA COLLECTION PLATFORMS
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 $35,521.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-15.
What specific data collection platforms are being procured, and how does their complexity justify the $3.55 million price tag for a 42-day period?
The specific data collection platforms are not detailed in the provided data. However, the high value for a short duration suggests potentially specialized or complex systems. A thorough review of the technical specifications and vendor capabilities would be necessary to validate the pricing against industry standards for similar platforms and services.
What was the rationale for excluding certain sources, and could this exclusion have led to a less competitive bidding environment?
The rationale for excluding sources is not provided. 'Full and open competition after exclusion of sources' implies a justification was made to limit the pool of eligible bidders. This inherently reduces competition, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers and limiting the government's access to the broadest range of innovative solutions.
How effective will these data collection platforms be in supporting the Bureau of Reclamation's long-term mission objectives?
The effectiveness of the data collection platforms will depend on their technical capabilities, reliability, and how well they align with the Bureau of Reclamation's specific data needs and operational goals. The short performance period suggests a focused, perhaps immediate, requirement. Long-term effectiveness requires ongoing evaluation and potential integration with broader agency systems.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: NASA SEWP ID# 370188
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: $35,521
Exercised Options: $35,521
Current Obligation: $35,521
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC65B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2026-05-15
Potential End Date: 2026-05-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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