Justice Department awards $2.17M for printer supplies, with 3 bidders competing for the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,167,677 ($2.2M)

Contractor: World Wide Technology LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-06-09

End Date: 2026-12-08

Contract Duration: 547 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HEWLETT PACKARD AND RICOH TONERS, WASTE TONER BOTTLES AND STAPLES FOR EOUSA PRINTERS.

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63146

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.2 million to WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC for work described as: HEWLETT PACKARD AND RICOH TONERS, WASTE TONER BOTTLES AND STAPLES FOR EOUSA PRINTERS. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics show a healthy level of interest from multiple vendors. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a firm-fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Performance context involves ongoing supply needs for essential office equipment. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer-related supplies. 6. The contract duration is over 1.5 years, ensuring consistent supply.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.17 million for printer supplies over approximately 1.5 years seems within a reasonable range for federal procurement of such items. Benchmarking against similar contracts for office supplies and IT consumables would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs and provides predictability for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a moderate degree of market interest. This level of competition is generally beneficial for price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is positive for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of obtaining competitive pricing and prevents potential price gouging associated with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from a reliable supply of essential printer consumables. Offices and divisions within the agency will have the necessary supplies to maintain operational efficiency. The contract supports the functioning of federal offices, primarily impacting those located in Missouri. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the logistics of supply delivery and management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations if market conditions change significantly during the contract period, despite the fixed-price nature.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical supplies could pose a minor disruption risk if unforeseen issues arise with the supplier.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the agency.
Award to a known entity (World Wide Technology LLC) suggests a degree of familiarity and established performance.
Full and open competition indicates a robust procurement process that likely yielded competitive pricing.
The contract duration is sufficient to cover anticipated needs without frequent re-solicitation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on the procurement of consumables for office equipment. The market for printer supplies is mature and competitive, with numerous vendors capable of fulfilling such requirements. Federal agencies are significant consumers of these goods, and contracts like this represent ongoing, albeit smaller, components of overall IT spending.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While World Wide Technology LLC is a large business, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore neutral to potentially limited, depending on any unstated subcontracting arrangements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Offices, Boards and Divisions. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for general oversight.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Office Supplies
IT Hardware and Consumables Procurement
Department of Justice Office Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Market price volatility for consumables

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.2 million to WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC. HEWLETT PACKARD AND RICOH TONERS, WASTE TONER BOTTLES AND STAPLES FOR EOUSA PRINTERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WORLD WIDE TECHNOLOGY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-09. End: 2026-12-08.

What is the track record of World Wide Technology LLC in fulfilling federal contracts for office supplies?

World Wide Technology LLC (WWT) is a large, well-established IT solutions provider that frequently secures federal contracts across various agencies. While their primary focus is often on complex IT infrastructure and services, they also engage in the supply of hardware and consumables. Historical data indicates WWT has a significant presence in federal procurement, often winning large-scale IT deals. For specific contracts related to office supplies like toners and staples, their track record would need to be examined through contract databases to assess performance metrics, on-time delivery rates, and any past performance issues. However, their general experience suggests a capacity to manage such procurements effectively.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar printer supplies?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $2.17 million for HEWLETT PACKARD AND RICOH TONERS, WASTE TONER BOTTLES AND STAPLES to precise market rates is challenging without detailed itemization and volume specifications. However, given that this is a firm-fixed-price contract awarded under full and open competition with three bidders, it suggests the price is likely competitive. Federal agencies often leverage bulk purchasing power and competitive bidding to achieve favorable rates. A thorough analysis would involve benchmarking the unit prices of specific items against commercial price lists and other government contracts for similar quantities and product types.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of specific toner or staple models, and the possibility of price increases in the broader market that could impact future renewals, despite the current fixed price. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price nature locks in the cost for the specified period, protecting the agency from immediate price hikes. The use of multiple bidders in the procurement process also suggests a competitive market, reducing the risk of over-reliance on a single, potentially unreliable source. Furthermore, the Department of Justice's oversight mechanisms and the vendor's established presence help manage operational risks.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for the Department of Justice?

The competition level, with three bidders participating in a full and open solicitation, is moderately effective in ensuring value for the Department of Justice. Three bidders indicate sufficient market interest to drive competitive pricing, preventing a situation where a sole source or limited competition might lead to inflated costs. However, a higher number of bidders (e.g., five or more) could potentially yield even more aggressive pricing. The firm-fixed-price contract type further enhances value by providing cost certainty. The effectiveness is also tied to the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the evaluation criteria used by the agency.

What is the historical spending pattern for printer supplies by the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for printer supplies by the Department of Justice (DOJ) would require accessing detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. Typically, federal agencies like the DOJ have consistent, ongoing needs for office consumables such as toners and staples, reflecting the operational requirements of their various divisions and offices. Spending can fluctuate based on factors like the number of active printers, printing volume, and the specific models in use. Contracts for these items are often awarded through GSA schedules or competitive solicitations, similar to the one described. Without specific historical data, it's assumed that DOJ's spending on such supplies is a recurring operational expense, managed through various contract vehicles.

What are the implications of this contract being a Delivery Order (DO) under a larger contract vehicle?

This contract being a Delivery Order (DO) signifies that it is a task order issued under an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of multiple-award contract. This approach allows agencies to procure goods or services as needed, rather than committing to a large upfront purchase. For the Department of Justice, this means flexibility in acquiring supplies and potentially leveraging pre-negotiated terms and pricing from a broader contract. The fact that it was competed (full and open) suggests that even within the framework of a larger contract vehicle, this specific delivery order was subject to a competitive process among eligible awardees, ensuring value for this particular procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: PHOTOGRAPHIC EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15JA0524Q00000026

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 WORLD WIDE WAY, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63146

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,685,029

Exercised Options: $2,167,677

Current Obligation: $2,167,677

Actual Outlays: $497,551

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC55B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline