GSA awards $473K for 10 SUVs, exceeding average price by 15% in a full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,295 ($47.3K)

Contractor: Fleet Vehicle Source Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2027-01-26

Contract Duration: 299 days

Daily Burn Rate: $158/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 4X4 SUV, INTERMEDIATE, 4 DR, 5 PASS, MIN 5500 GVWR

Place of Performance

Location: LAS VEGAS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89118

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $47,295 to FLEET VEHICLE SOURCE INC for work described as: 4X4 SUV, INTERMEDIATE, 4 DR, 5 PASS, MIN 5500 GVWR Key points: 1. The contract price for these SUVs is 15% higher than the benchmark, indicating potential overspending. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust market but potentially not the lowest price. 3. The contract duration of 299 days is standard for vehicle procurements. 4. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the awarding agency, a common entity for fleet vehicle acquisition. 5. The specific vehicle type (4X4 SUV, 5-passenger) meets standard government fleet requirements. 6. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded price of $47,295 per vehicle is 15% above the estimated benchmark of $41,126. While the vehicle specifications (4X4 SUV, 5-passenger, 5500 GVWR) are standard, this price difference warrants scrutiny. The firm-fixed-price structure is appropriate for this type of procurement, but the elevated cost suggests that either market conditions were unfavorable, or the competition, despite being full and open, did not drive prices down sufficiently. Further analysis of the specific vehicle trim and options would be beneficial to fully justify the cost.

Cost Per Unit: $47,295 per vehicle, 15% above benchmark

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The data does not specify the number of bidders, which is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the competition. A high number of bidders typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. However, even with open competition, if the market for this specific vehicle configuration is limited or if demand is high, prices may still be elevated.

Taxpayer Impact: While full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers by encouraging broad market participation, the observed price premium suggests that taxpayers may not have received the best possible value in this instance. The government should ensure that solicitation requirements are precise to attract competitive bids without unnecessarily increasing costs.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring transportation for personnel and equipment will benefit from the acquisition of these SUVs. The vehicles will support operational needs across various government functions, likely within the General Services Administration's fleet management. The geographic impact is primarily within Nevada, as indicated by the 'SN: NEVADA' field, suggesting these vehicles will be utilized in that state. The procurement supports the automotive manufacturing sector, specifically the production of light trucks and utility vehicles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Price is 15% above benchmark, raising concerns about value for money.
Lack of bidder count in the data prevents a full assessment of competitive intensity.
The specific vehicle trim and options are not detailed, making it difficult to fully justify the price.

Positive Signals

Procurement utilized full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Vehicles meet standard government specifications for utility and capacity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the automotive manufacturing and fleet vehicle sector. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 336111 (Automobile Manufacturing) is associated with this procurement. The market for government fleet vehicles is substantial, with agencies like GSA managing large inventories. Benchmarking against similar vehicle procurements by other agencies or within GSA's own historical data is essential for evaluating cost-effectiveness. The price paid here appears to be on the higher side compared to typical fleet acquisition costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (SS: false, SB: false). This suggests the contract was not targeted towards small businesses. While full and open competition allows for small business participation if they are capable and competitive, there are no explicit provisions or set-asides mentioned. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this data, and their impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore not directly measurable from this record.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight mechanisms would typically include contract administration, performance monitoring, and compliance checks. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this procurement. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight by providing cost certainty.

Related Government Programs

GSA Fleet Vehicle Procurement
Federal Vehicle Acquisition
Light Truck and Utility Vehicle Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential overpayment indicated by price exceeding benchmark.
Lack of detailed bid information hinders full competition assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $47,295 to FLEET VEHICLE SOURCE INC. 4X4 SUV, INTERMEDIATE, 4 DR, 5 PASS, MIN 5500 GVWR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLEET VEHICLE SOURCE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47,295.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-01-26.

What specific trim level and options were included in the 4X4 SUVs, and how do they compare to the benchmark vehicle?

The provided data does not specify the exact trim level or optional equipment included in the 10 4X4 SUVs. The benchmark price of $41,126 likely represents a standard configuration for a government-issue SUV with the specified GVWR and passenger capacity. The awarded price of $47,295 suggests that the purchased vehicles may include higher trim levels, additional safety features, specialized equipment, or perhaps were procured during a period of high demand or limited supply for that specific model. Without detailed specifications, it is difficult to definitively assess whether the 15% price premium is justified by added features or solely attributable to market factors.

How many bids were received for this contract, and how does this number compare to similar GSA vehicle procurements?

The provided data does not include the number of bids received for this specific contract. While the competition type is listed as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' this only indicates that all responsible sources were allowed to bid. To assess the effectiveness of the competition, knowing the number of bidders is crucial. A low number of bidders, even under full and open competition, can indicate limited market interest or potential barriers to entry, which could lead to higher prices. Comparing this to similar GSA vehicle procurements would require accessing historical data on bid counts for comparable vehicle types and contract values.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar 4X4 SUVs by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar 4X4 SUVs by the GSA is essential for context. Without access to GSA's detailed procurement history, we can infer that the current award price of $47,295 per unit is 15% above the internal benchmark. This suggests that either recent market conditions have driven prices up significantly, or this particular procurement is an outlier. Typically, GSA aims to leverage its purchasing power to secure competitive pricing. A review of contracts awarded over the past 3-5 years for comparable vehicles would reveal trends in pricing, identify any significant price fluctuations, and help determine if this award represents a deviation from established cost norms.

What are the specific risks associated with procuring vehicles from Fleet Vehicle Source Inc. based on their track record?

The provided data does not offer information on the contractor's track record, such as past performance ratings, history of contract disputes, or delivery performance on previous government contracts. To assess risks associated with Fleet Vehicle Source Inc., a review of their performance history within government databases (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be necessary. Key risk indicators would include any documented instances of late deliveries, quality issues, or cost overruns on prior contracts. Without this information, the risk assessment is limited to the inherent risks of the contract type and the specific procurement.

How does the $47,295 per-unit cost compare to the average price paid by other federal agencies for similar vehicles in the same period?

The $47,295 per-unit cost is 15% above the internal benchmark of $41,126. To compare this to what other federal agencies are paying, one would need to access broader federal procurement data (e.g., through FPDS or other spending analytics tools) for similar 4X4 SUVs procured around the same timeframe (contract award date). If other agencies secured comparable vehicles at or below the benchmark price, it would further highlight that this GSA award might be less cost-effective. Conversely, if the market generally saw similar price increases across agencies, it would suggest broader market pressures influencing the cost.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Manufacturing › Automobile Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QMCA21R0008

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6718 W SUNSET RD, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89118

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,295

Exercised Options: $47,295

Current Obligation: $47,295

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QMCA22D000U

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline