GSA awards $53.6K for electrical tape, highlighting potential for bulk purchasing efficiencies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,627 ($53.6K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: (MULT/12)GLASS CLOTH ELECT TAPE 69 3"X36

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $53,626.8 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: (MULT/12)GLASS CLOTH ELECT TAPE 69 3"X36 Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a need for further analysis on overall spend for this item. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, which typically fosters competitive pricing. 3. The short duration of the award (7 days) may indicate an urgent need or a call-off against a larger agreement. 4. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call suggests this is a task order under a pre-existing contract. 5. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause warrants monitoring for potential cost increases. 6. The contractor, W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a known supplier of industrial and maintenance products.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $53.6K for electrical tape over a 7-day period is difficult to benchmark without more context on the quantity and specific type of tape. However, given the nature of the product and the supplier, the pricing is likely competitive within the broader industrial supply market. The use of a BPA Call suggests that pricing may have been established under a more comprehensive agreement, potentially offering some level of pre-negotiated value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, allowing the government to solicit bids from multiple vendors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that pricing was subject to market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible prices through a wide range of offers.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring electrical insulation tape will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of essential electrical supplies. The geographic impact is noted as Illinois (IL), suggesting a regional or facility-specific need. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the logistics and distribution of the tape.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price creep due to the economic price adjustment clause.
Limited transparency on the specific quantity and quality of tape procured.
Short award duration raises questions about the planning and urgency of the procurement.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, promoting market-based pricing.
Contractor is an established supplier with a broad catalog of industrial goods.
BPA Call mechanism can streamline procurement for recurring needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial supplies sector, specifically related to electrical components. The market for electrical tape is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Government procurement of such items is common across various agencies for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO). Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and volume, but it represents a small fraction of the overall federal spending on MRO supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely limited, though W.W. Grainger, Inc. may utilize small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it is a task order against a larger BPA, implying that the BPA itself has undergone a competitive process and has established terms. Transparency is moderate, with the award details available, but specific usage and performance metrics may require further inquiry.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies Procurement
Electrical Supplies Contracts

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Short Contract Duration
Limited Bidder Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $53,626.8 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. (MULT/12)GLASS CLOTH ELECT TAPE 69 3"X36

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W.W. GRAINGER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53,626.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the typical unit cost for this type of electrical tape when procured through similar federal contracts or commercial channels?

Determining the precise unit cost for the "GLASS CLOTH ELECT TAPE 69 3"X36"" is challenging without knowing the exact quantity purchased under this $53.6K award and the specific grade or specifications of the tape. However, W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a major distributor, and their commercial catalog prices can serve as a rough benchmark. For industrial-grade glass cloth electrical tape, prices can range significantly based on width, length, thickness, and temperature rating. Commercial pricing for similar tapes might range from $10 to $50 per roll or equivalent unit, depending on these factors. The federal government, through mechanisms like BPAs and FSS contracts, often negotiates volume discounts that could lead to lower per-unit costs than standard commercial rates, but without the quantity, a direct comparison is speculative.

How does the $53.6K award value compare to historical federal spending on electrical tape?

The $53.6K award value for this specific BPA Call is a relatively small sum in the context of overall federal spending. To assess its historical significance, one would need to aggregate spending data for similar electrical tapes across the General Services Administration (GSA) and other agencies over time. GSA alone manages billions in procurement annually. This single award likely represents a minor expenditure for a specific need or location (Illinois). A comprehensive analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases for all contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (like 444110 - Home Centers, or potentially others related to electrical equipment wholesale) and PSC codes related to tape and insulation, filtering for 'electrical tape' and examining spending trends over multiple fiscal years to understand if this award is typical, an outlier, or part of a larger, ongoing requirement.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this contract?

The primary risk associated with an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in a fixed-price contract is the potential for cost increases to the government if market prices for the raw materials or labor involved in producing the electrical tape rise. While intended to protect the contractor from unforeseen market fluctuations and ensure supply continuity, EPAs can introduce budget uncertainty for the government. For this specific contract, the risk depends on the volatility of the components used in manufacturing glass cloth electrical tape and the specific formula or index tied to the EPA. If the market prices for these components increase significantly during the contract period, the government will pay a higher price than initially anticipated, potentially exceeding the initial $53.6K estimate if the award is extended or if this is a call against a larger BPA with a longer duration. Careful monitoring of the index and the contractor's price adjustments is crucial.

What is the track record of W.W. Grainger, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for industrial supplies?

W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a substantial track record of fulfilling federal contracts. As a large, established distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies, they frequently participate in government procurement through various channels, including Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), GSA Advantage!, and direct solicitations. Their history typically involves supplying a wide array of products, including tools, safety equipment, janitorial supplies, and industrial components like electrical tape. Federal agencies often rely on established vendors like Grainger for their broad product availability, established logistics, and experience navigating government procurement regulations. While specific performance metrics for every contract are not publicly detailed, their continued presence and success in winning federal awards suggest a generally positive performance history in terms of delivery, quality, and compliance.

How does the BPA Call mechanism impact the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this procurement?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, as used in this procurement, is a task order issued under a pre-established BPA. This mechanism significantly enhances efficiency and can improve cost-effectiveness for recurring needs. Instead of conducting a full, separate procurement for each small order, agencies can issue calls against an existing BPA, which has already undergone a competitive process and has established terms and pricing. This reduces administrative burden, shortens lead times, and allows for potentially better pricing due to the consolidated purchasing power represented by the BPA. For this $53.6K award of electrical tape, using a BPA Call implies that GSA has likely negotiated favorable terms with W.W. Grainger, Inc. for a range of industrial supplies, making it quicker and potentially cheaper to acquire needed items compared to individual spot purchases.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Home Centers

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100, GRAINGER PARKWAY, LAKE FOREST, IL, 60045

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,627

Exercised Options: $53,627

Current Obligation: $53,627

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline