GSA awards $13.3M contract for office supplies to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,294 ($13.3K)

Contractor: THE Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,294.08 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, non-profit provider of office supplies. 2. Focus on supporting individuals with significant vision impairments. 3. Duration of 7 days suggests a rapid fulfillment need. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type. 5. No small business set-aside indicated for this specific award. 6. Potential for limited competition due to specialized provider.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day duration appears high for office supplies, suggesting a large quantity or specialized items. Benchmarking against similar GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) contracts for office supplies is difficult without specific item details. The FPEPA clause introduces potential for cost increases over the short term. The award to a single, specialized provider may limit immediate price comparison opportunities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a BPA Call. The data indicates it was a sole-source award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. This suggests that the agency may have specific requirements or a pre-existing relationship that led to a non-competitive award. The limited competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from a bidding process that could drive down prices.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the opportunity for competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Individuals with significant vision impairments benefit through employment opportunities at The Lighthouse for the Blind. Federal agencies receive necessary office supplies and stationery. The contract supports the mission of providing employment for visually impaired individuals. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, serving federal agencies across the US. Workforce implications are positive for the employees of The Lighthouse for the Blind.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to sole-source nature.
Limited transparency on specific item pricing and justification for sole-source award.
Short duration (7 days) may indicate urgent need or a specific call-off against a larger agreement.

Positive Signals

Supports a mission-driven organization providing employment for the visually impaired.
Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal agencies.
The Lighthouse for the Blind has a long-standing history of serving government needs.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery stores sector (NAICS 453210) is a mature market with numerous providers. Federal agencies procure a wide range of these goods through various contract vehicles, including GSA Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). This contract, awarded as a BPA Call, falls within the broader category of general supplies procurement, which is a significant area of federal spending. Benchmarking against the overall federal spending on office supplies would require aggregating data across multiple contract types and agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a non-profit organization, and while it may employ individuals with disabilities, it does not fall under the typical small business set-aside categories. Subcontracting implications are not detailed in the provided data, but given the sole-source nature, it is less likely to involve extensive subcontracting to diverse small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including the Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment clause. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with less public information available compared to a competed contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
Office Supplies and Stationery Procurement
Procurement for Individuals with Disabilities
Blind-Owned Business Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces cost uncertainty.
Short contract duration requires rapid fulfillment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,294.08 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13,294.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.?

The provided data indicates the contract was a 'BPA CALL' and 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting it was likely awarded under a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) or a specific authority that allows for sole-source procurement. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a recognized provider of employment for individuals with significant vision impairments, and federal agencies often utilize specific programs or authorities to support such organizations. Without further documentation, the precise justification could stem from a requirement to support this mission, a specific capability only they possess, or a pre-negotiated agreement under a specific government program designed to assist such entities. The short duration also implies a specific, potentially urgent, need that may have been met through an existing relationship.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar office supplies?

Direct price comparison is challenging without specific line-item details for the office supplies procured under this $13.3 million, 7-day contract. As a sole-source award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., competitive bidding was bypassed, which typically helps in benchmarking against market rates. The contract includes an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause, which allows for price changes based on specified economic indicators, adding another layer of complexity to a static price comparison. While The Lighthouse for the Blind provides valuable social impact, the absence of competition means that taxpayers may not be receiving the lowest possible price achievable in a fully open market. A detailed analysis would require comparing the specific items and quantities against GSA Schedule pricing or other competitively awarded contracts for similar goods.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude ($13.3 million) is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the government may not achieve the best possible value for its money. Another risk is reduced transparency, as the justification and negotiation process are not publicly scrutinized through a competitive bidding process. Furthermore, reliance on a single provider can create supply chain risks if that provider experiences disruptions. While The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a mission-driven purpose, ensuring robust performance standards and cost-effectiveness remains crucial, and oversight is essential to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for office supplies by the General Services Administration?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of office supplies and stationery for the federal government, utilizing various contract vehicles including GSA Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). Historical spending in this category is substantial, reflecting the ongoing needs of federal agencies nationwide. GSA aims to provide cost-effective solutions through consolidated purchasing and strategic sourcing. While specific historical spending figures for office supplies by GSA are not provided in this data snippet, it is understood to be a significant portion of their overall procurement portfolio. The agency continuously reviews its procurement strategies to ensure value and efficiency in acquiring these essential goods.

What is the expected performance period and delivery timeline for this contract?

The contract has a very short performance period, with an award date of April 2, 2026, and an expiration date of April 9, 2026. This indicates a duration of only 7 days. This extremely short timeframe suggests that the contract is likely for an immediate or urgent need for office supplies, or it could be a specific call-off against a larger, pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The rapid fulfillment requirement necessitates efficient logistics and delivery from the contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., to meet the government's immediate operational needs within this tight window.

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: 2501 S PLUM ST, SEATTLE, WA, 98144

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: $13,294

Exercised Options: $13,294

Current Obligation: $13,294

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline