Department of Energy Awarded a Contract to RICOH USA INC for $0.00

Summary of Award

The JSON data provided from usaspending.gov documents an awarded contract between the United States federal government and Ricoh USA Inc. The contract is identified by the unique award ID "CONT_IDV_DEMA0011379_8900" and is characterized as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), a type of contract often used to simplify the procurement of repetitive services or products. The contract pertains to "Print Management Services" under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative, a program aimed at leveraging the federal government's buying power to reduce costs and improve service efficiency.

### Overview of Contract Details

The contract was signed on May 4, 2015, and had a period of performance extending from its start date to March 2, 2021. The Department of Energy (DOE) serves as both the funding and awarding agency for this contract, with the Headquarters Procurement Services Office overseeing the procurement process. The specific procurement category falls under the "Special Industry Machinery," focusing on "Printing, Duplicating, and Bookbinding Equipment" as indicated by the Product or Service Code (PSC) 3610 and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 333244. Despite the extensive timeline, the total obligation listed under this BPA is zero, which could be an indication of it being a preliminary or framework agreement without committed funds at the initial stage. A zero obligation doesn’t necessarily mean inactivity; it may imply that transactions or specific deliveries under this agreement were conducted through separate task orders or calls. ### About Ricoh USA Inc. Ricoh USA Inc., a U.S.-owned business located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, stands as the contract recipient. The company is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company, Ltd., known for its comprehensive offerings in industrial and office solutions, specifically within the realm of print, digital documentation, and office equipment. Recognized under business categories such as "Manufacturer of Goods" and "Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt," Ricoh does not qualify as a small business, which may reflect its expansive operational capacity and market presence. Ricoh USA Inc. operates primarily in the domain of printing machinery and equipment manufacturing. This aligns perfectly with the contract’s focus on printing management services, indicating the company’s expertise in managing large-scale print operations, including production printing, office solutions, and managed services. Their affiliation with Ricoh Company, Ltd., a global leader in digital transformation and sustainable print solutions, enhances their capabilities and resource access. ### Administrative and Specification Insights This contract administered by the DOE is cataloged as a single award BSP, meaning Ricoh is the sole recipient under this agreement, securing a firm fixed priced contract. Such pricing typically means that the contract’s cost will not vary during its execution, ensuring budget predictability for the DOE. The contract stipulates no requirements for a subcontracting plan, which signifies that Ricoh USA Inc. is expected to fulfill the contractual obligations without extensive reliance on subcontractors. This is potentially advantageous to the DOE as it reduces complexity and ensures direct accountability. Commercial item acquisition descriptors reveal that the products or services procured are widely available in the commercial sector, streamlining procurement and aligning with the DOE’s strategic sourcing goals. Additionally, there are no Clinger-Cohen Planning or labor standards requirements, illustrating the contract’s streamlined nature absent certain bureaucratic complexities usually associated with federal procurements. ### Transactions and Financial Implications Despite the comprehensive details provided, the transaction section within the JSON remains empty. This absence of transactions might suggest that further documentation is required to reflect executed task orders or payments, or that transactions are captured elsewhere within the system. It could also indicate that the agreement is set up to facilitate easy activation of procurement processes where necessary. ### Looking Forward The strategic engagement with Ricoh USA Inc. signifies a commitment to enhancing efficiencies by adopting quality print management services. Ricoh’s leadership in sustainability and technological innovation aligns with emerging governmental goals addressing cost reductions and operational excellence within federal agencies. Through this contract, DOE may catalyze improvements in print management, aligning with broader initiatives of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, while the contract’s immediate financial activity might appear limited as described, its value lies in its potential to unleash streamlined procurement processes across the DOE’s departments. The BPA sets a framework that can lead to agile, systematized, and strategic engagements with Ricoh, fostering innovation in how federal agencies manage and optimize their print solutions.