DOJ's FBI Spends $2M on Enterprise Toner via BPA Call, Not Competed Under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,999,976 ($2.0M)

Contractor: ABM Federal Sales, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-10-28

End Date: 2025-09-24

Contract Duration: 331 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY25 ENTERPRISE TONER CALL ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63141

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.0 million to ABM FEDERAL SALES, INC. for work described as: FY25 ENTERPRISE TONER CALL ORDER Key points: 1. Significant spending on essential office supplies highlights ongoing operational needs. 2. Sole awardee ABM FEDERAL SALES, INC. suggests potential lack of broader market engagement. 3. Risk of overpayment exists due to non-competitive award, impacting taxpayer value. 4. The 'MISSOURI' location may indicate regional operational focus or supplier proximity.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $1,999,976.2 award for enterprise toner is a substantial amount for consumables. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar bulk toner contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded via a BPA Call. This limited competition method, potentially leveraging an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement, may not have explored the full range of suppliers, impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of open competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price, potentially leading to inefficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Federal agencies rely on consistent supply of office consumables like toner for daily operations. The FBI's need for photographic and copy toner indicates specific requirements for document production and evidence handling. Taxpayers fund all federal agency expenditures, making efficient procurement of even routine supplies crucial.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpayment
Lack of SAP competition

Positive Signals

Essential operational supplies
Utilizes existing BPA structure

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under general office supplies and consumables, a common expenditure category for federal agencies. Benchmarks for toner vary widely based on type, volume, and specific agency agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific BPA call or the underlying BPA. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Awarding via a BPA Call suggests an existing oversight framework for the parent BPA. However, the lack of competition under SAP warrants scrutiny to ensure accountability and value for money.

Related Government Programs

Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical, and Copy Toner Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for price inflation
Lack of transparency in award justification
Reliance on a single vendor for critical supplies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.0 million to ABM FEDERAL SALES, INC.. FY25 ENTERPRISE TONER CALL ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ABM FEDERAL SALES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-10-28. End: 2025-09-24.

What is the specific type and volume of toner being procured, and how does this influence the price benchmark?

The data specifies 'ENTERPRISE TONER' and 'Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical, and Copy Toner Manufacturing' (PSC code). Without exact quantities and specific toner models (e.g., OEM vs. compatible, color vs. black and white), establishing a precise per-unit cost benchmark is challenging. Enterprise-level contracts often imply high volume, which can drive down unit costs, but the lack of competition here obscures the achieved savings.

What are the risks associated with procuring toner through a non-competed BPA call, especially concerning potential overpricing?

The primary risk is paying above fair market value due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited competition can lead suppliers to offer higher prices, knowing alternatives are restricted. This lack of price discovery means the FBI and taxpayers may not be getting the most cost-effective solution for their toner needs, potentially wasting funds.

How effective is the current procurement method in ensuring the FBI receives necessary supplies while maximizing value?

The effectiveness is questionable. While the BPA call ensures the FBI receives necessary toner supplies, the non-competed nature under SAP raises concerns about value maximization. The agency might be receiving the supplies, but potentially at a higher cost than if broader competition had been pursued, impacting overall procurement effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing › Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, Chemical, and Copy Toner Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ABM Federal Sales Inc.

Address: 625 MARYVILLE CENTRE DR STE 160, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63141

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,999,976

Exercised Options: $1,999,976

Current Obligation: $1,999,976

Actual Outlays: $1,999,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06724A0001345

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline