State Department awards $3.3M for GITM LAPTOP services, highlighting IT support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,290 ($3.3K)

Contractor: Government Acquisitions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-06-02

Contract Duration: 62 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53/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: GITM LAPTOP

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45202

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3,289.64 to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC for work described as: GITM LAPTOP Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT hardware and support, crucial for agency operations. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract is relatively short, indicating a specific project or need. 5. This award falls within the broader category of IT services for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $3,289,640 for GITM LAPTOP services appears reasonable given the scope of IT hardware and support. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for agencies of the State Department's size suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost control, though detailed cost breakdowns are not available for a granular comparison. The value is further assessed by the delivery order nature, implying it's part of a larger, potentially pre-negotiated framework.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific exclusions were applied. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. This approach aims to balance broad market access with potential specific requirements or existing relationships, though it may limit the pool of potential offerors compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, even with exclusions, likely resulted in a fair market price for taxpayers. However, understanding the rationale behind the source exclusions is key to fully assessing if maximum taxpayer value was achieved.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of State will benefit from reliable IT hardware and support. Essential IT services will be delivered to ensure the smooth functioning of State Department operations. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include potential support roles for IT specialists within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes granular value-for-money assessment challenging.
Short contract duration might indicate a need for ongoing re-competition, potentially increasing administrative burden.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded under a competitive process, suggesting market-driven pricing.
Contractor is based in Ohio, potentially supporting regional IT service capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer hardware and related support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in hardware, software, and maintenance to support their missions. This award represents a small fraction of overall federal IT spending, but highlights the ongoing need for reliable technology infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT hardware and support contracts vary widely based on scope, duration, and specific technology requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific award, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This suggests that the primary contractor, GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC, is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would depend on their subcontracting plans, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight may also be influenced by the terms of that parent contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and internal oversight processes are not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts
Department of Defense IT Modernization Programs
Federal Civilian Agency IT Procurement
IT Hardware Procurement
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusions.
Short contract duration may necessitate frequent re-competition.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders granular value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3,289.64 to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC. GITM LAPTOP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,289.64.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-06-02.

What is the track record of GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC in delivering similar IT hardware and support services to federal agencies?

GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC (CO) has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily within the IT services domain. While the provided data indicates they are the awardee for this specific GITM LAPTOP contract, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would require examining their past performance on similar contracts. This includes evaluating factors such as on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to budget, and client satisfaction ratings from previous engagements. Analyzing their contract history with agencies like the Department of State or other civilian agencies would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling IT hardware and support requirements.

How does the per-unit cost of the GITM LAPTOP services compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost details for the GITM LAPTOP services, making a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts challenging. The total award amount of $3,289,640 is for a bundle of services and hardware over a 62-day period. To perform a robust per-unit cost analysis, one would need to know the quantity and type of laptops, associated support services, and the specific duration each unit is covered. Without this granular information, the assessment relies on the overall contract value being deemed reasonable within the context of the State Department's IT needs and the competitive nature of the award.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential delays in hardware delivery or service provision, technical compatibility issues, and the possibility of cost overruns if the fixed-price structure proves inadequate for unforeseen circumstances. Given the short duration (62 days), the risk of significant project delays is somewhat mitigated. Mitigation strategies likely involve the contractor's established supply chain for hardware, robust testing protocols before deployment, and the Department of State's oversight to ensure adherence to specifications and timelines. The firm fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' approach in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' approach aims to balance broad market participation with specific agency needs or existing relationships. While it allows for competition, the exclusion of certain sources inherently limits the potential bidder pool. The effectiveness in ensuring value for taxpayers depends heavily on the justification for these exclusions. If the exclusions are well-founded and the remaining competition is robust, it can lead to competitive pricing. However, if the exclusions unnecessarily restrict competition, it could potentially lead to higher prices than a truly unrestricted open competition might yield. The fact that only two bids were received warrants scrutiny of the exclusion criteria.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar IT hardware and support services by the Department of State?

Historical spending patterns for IT hardware and support services by the Department of State are substantial, reflecting the agency's global operations and reliance on technology. While this specific $3.3 million award for GITM LAPTOP services is a discrete event, the Department consistently procures IT equipment and related services through various contract vehicles, including GSA schedules and other competitive solicitations. Analyzing past spending on similar items, such as laptops, desktops, and associated maintenance or support contracts, would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of competition utilized. This context helps determine if current spending aligns with historical norms or represents a significant deviation.

What are the implications of the contractor being located in Ohio for the delivery of services to the Department of State?

The contractor's location in Ohio (st: OH, sn: OHIO) has several implications for this Department of State contract. Primarily, it suggests that the hardware procurement and potentially initial setup or staging might occur from or through facilities in Ohio. For service delivery, especially if it involves remote support, the location is less critical. However, if on-site support or hardware deployment is required at specific State Department facilities, the Ohio base could introduce logistical considerations and potential travel costs, which should ideally be factored into the firm fixed-price. The geographic proximity might also influence the contractor's understanding of regional IT markets and workforce availability.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2060 READING ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,290

Exercised Options: $3,290

Current Obligation: $3,290

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC78B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline