Carl's Computer Center sells computers to business firms. Businesses then use the computers to produce other goods and services. Over the past year,

sales representatives were paid $3.5 million, $0.5 million went for rent on the building, $0.5 million went for taxes, $0.5 million was profit for Carl, and $10 million was paid for computers at the wholesale level. What was the firm's total contribution to GDP?

$5 million. Note that the $10 million paid for computers is not part of value added. Note also that the fact that the firm produces an intermediate good doesn't mean that it doesn't contribute to GDP.