Lexmark toner cartridge purchase for GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, valued at $3,815.63, awarded via BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,816 ($3.8K)

Contractor: Alphapointe

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $545/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEXMARK TAA 78C0XKG BLACK TONER CARTRIDG

Place of Performance

Location: PINE BLUFF, JEFFERSON County, ARKANSAS, 71613

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,815.63 to ALPHAPOINTE for work described as: LEXMARK TAA 78C0XKG BLACK TONER CARTRIDG Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the short duration and specific item, but benchmarking is limited. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a non-competitive award, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small dollar value and short term. 4. Performance context is a single BPA call for office supplies, suggesting routine procurement. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader office supplies and stationery market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3,815.63 for a 7-day period for a specific toner cartridge is difficult to benchmark without more detailed pricing information. Given the nature of office supplies, prices can fluctuate. The award to Alphapointe, a non-profit that employs people with disabilities, may influence pricing considerations beyond pure market competition. However, the overall value is modest.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded as a BPA Call, which is a task order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it may have been awarded under specific GSA schedules or existing agreements where competition was previously established or is limited by the nature of the BPA. The specific competition level for the underlying BPA is not detailed here, but this individual call appears to have had limited direct competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a limited competition award means there's a reduced likelihood of achieving the lowest possible price compared to a full and open competition. While the dollar amount is small, consistent use of limited competition for recurring needs can lead to higher overall spending.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which will receive the toner cartridges. The service delivered is the provision of essential office supplies (black toner cartridges). The geographic impact is localized to the GSA facility in Arkansas where the supplies are likely needed. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the administrative tasks of ordering and receiving supplies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed pricing information makes it hard to assess if the best possible price was obtained.
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' notation suggests potential limitations in the competitive process for this specific award.
Reliance on a single supplier for a specific item could pose a minor risk if supply chain issues arise.

Positive Signals

Award to Alphapointe supports employment for individuals with disabilities, aligning with socio-economic procurement goals.
The use of a BPA Call streamlines the procurement process for routine supplies.
The short duration and low value minimize financial risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the office supplies and stationery sector, a mature market characterized by numerous suppliers ranging from large corporations to specialized providers. Government agencies procure these goods through various channels, including GSA Schedules and BPAs. Spending benchmarks for individual toner cartridges are highly variable based on brand, model, and volume. The total federal spending on office supplies is substantial, but this specific purchase represents a very small fraction.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false) and does not appear to be a small business set-aside. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Alphapointe, is a non-profit organization that employs people with disabilities, which is a distinct socio-economic category.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's internal procurement policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). As a BPA Call, it is a task order against a larger agreement, implying that the underlying BPA likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate; while the award is publicly visible, the specific details of the competition and pricing justification for the BPA call are not fully detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Office Supplies
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores NAICS Code 453210
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Lexmark Toner Cartridges

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Pricing Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,815.63 to ALPHAPOINTE. LEXMARK TAA 78C0XKG BLACK TONER CARTRIDG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALPHAPOINTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,815.63.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of Alphapointe in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for office supplies?

Alphapointe is a non-profit organization that has a history of serving federal agencies, often through specific socio-economic programs like the AbilityOne program, which mandates procurement from participating non-profit agencies that employ individuals with disabilities. While specific contract performance data for this exact toner cartridge is not available, their mission-driven nature suggests a focus on reliable service delivery within their operational scope. Federal agencies often utilize such organizations to meet procurement goals. Further analysis would require examining Alphapointe's broader federal contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on contracts of similar size and scope.

How does the price of this Lexmark toner cartridge compare to market rates or other federal contracts for similar items?

Benchmarking the price of this specific Lexmark TAA 78C0XKG black toner cartridge is challenging with the provided data alone. The contract value is $3,815.63 for a 7-day duration, implying a unit price that is not explicitly stated. Prices for toner cartridges vary significantly based on the specific model, vendor, and volume discounts. Without knowing the exact quantity purchased or comparing it against GSA Advantage! pricing, other federal BPA calls, or commercial retail prices for the same item, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, given it's a specialized item, prices can be higher than generic alternatives.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract via a BPA Call without further competition?

The primary risk associated with awarding this contract via a BPA Call without further competition is the potential for suboptimal pricing. When an item is not competed at the task order level, the government may not be securing the best possible price available in the market at that specific time. While BPAs are intended to streamline procurement, if not managed with periodic re-competition of the underlying agreement or task orders, they can lead to complacency and higher costs over time. For a low-value, short-duration purchase like this, the risk is minimal, but it highlights a broader concern if this practice is widespread for higher-value or longer-term needs.

What is the typical spending pattern for office supplies and stationery by the GSA Federal Acquisition Service?

The GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is a major procurer of a wide range of goods and services for the federal government, including office supplies and stationery. Their spending patterns are typically characterized by large volumes and a focus on leveraging GSA Schedules and BPAs to achieve economies of scale and streamline purchasing for other agencies. While specific historical spending data for toner cartridges by FAS is not provided, it is understood that such items are a routine and necessary expense. FAS aims to consolidate purchasing and negotiate favorable pricing through strategic sourcing and contract vehicles, making individual BPA calls like this one part of a larger, ongoing procurement strategy.

Does the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' notation indicate any specific issues or limitations with the procurement process?

The notation 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' typically means that the procurement was not conducted using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are designed for purchases below the SAP threshold (currently $250,000). This could indicate several things: the purchase might have exceeded the SAP threshold, or it was conducted under a different authority, such as a GSA Schedule or an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) where competition rules differ or were previously satisfied. In this case, it's a BPA Call, suggesting it falls under the terms of a pre-existing BPA. While it implies a deviation from standard SAP competition, it doesn't inherently signal a problem, especially if the BPA itself was competitively awarded and allows for such task orders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7501 PROSPECT AVE, KANSAS CITY, MO, 64132

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,816

Exercised Options: $3,816

Current Obligation: $3,816

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA025

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline