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, 32 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, 32 REGULAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single provider, raising questions about price competitiveness. 2. Focus on office supplies suggests a need for essential operational materials. 3. Short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates an urgent or specific need. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger framework agreement. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific call. 6. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, which can protect against inflation but may increase final cost.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period for office supplies appears high on a daily basis. Without knowing the specific quantities and types of supplies, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. However, the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests it might be above simplified acquisition procedures, but the exact procurement path needs further clarification. The fixed price with economic price adjustment (EPA) could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if market prices rise significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP and is designated as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. The award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. appears to be a sole-source or limited competition action, likely executed under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. The lack of open competition means that potential savings from a broader bidding process may have been foregone. The specific justification for not competing it more widely is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is limited when only one vendor is considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., a non-profit organization. The contract provides essential office supplies and stationery. The geographic impact is likely within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, given the 'WA' and 'WASHINGTON' location codes. This contract supports the employment of individuals with visual impairments, aligning with the mission of the awardee.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than available in an open market.
The short duration and high value raise questions about the urgency and scope of the supply need.
Fixed Price with EPA introduces potential for cost overruns if market prices increase.

Positive Signals

Supports a mission-driven organization (The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.) that employs individuals with disabilities.
Ensures the availability of critical office supplies for government operations.
BPA Call structure suggests efficient procurement within an existing framework.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery sector is a mature market with numerous providers. Government procurement of these items is substantial, often managed through large indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or blanket purchase agreements (BPAs). Awards like this, even if sole-source, are common for specific needs or to support particular socio-economic goals. The NAICS code 453210 (Office Supplies and Stationery Stores) indicates the specific retail segment targeted.

Small Business Impact

While this specific BPA Call was not a small business set-aside, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a non-profit organization that prioritizes employing individuals with visual impairments, many of whom may have disabilities. This award aligns with socio-economic contracting goals by supporting an organization with a strong social mission. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would typically involve contract administration, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance with the terms of the BPA Call. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases, but the specific justification for the sole-source nature of this call would require further inquiry. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Office Supplies Procurement
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Procurement for Non-Profit Organizations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High value for short duration
Fixed Price with EPA

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, 32 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?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded to 'THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED'. While the data doesn't explicitly state the justification, common reasons for sole-source awards under BPAs include specific capabilities, urgent needs, or supporting socio-economic programs. Given the awardee, it's highly probable that the justification relates to the organization's mission to employ individuals with visual impairments, potentially falling under specific government procurement preferences or authorities that allow for non-competitive awards to such entities. Further investigation into GSA's procurement records for this BPA Call would be needed to confirm the exact justification.

How does the $13.3 million value for a 7-day contract compare to typical office supply procurements?

A $13.3 million contract value for only 7 days of office supplies is exceptionally high on a per-diem basis. Typical daily spending on office supplies for a single agency or even multiple agencies under a BPA would likely be significantly lower. This suggests either an extremely large, urgent, and specific demand for supplies during that week, or that the $13.3 million represents a ceiling value for a call order that may not be fully expended within the 7-day delivery window, but rather represents the total value of goods to be delivered under this specific call. Without details on the quantity and type of supplies, a direct comparison is difficult, but the value relative to the duration is unusual and warrants scrutiny.

What are the potential risks associated with a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) contract for office supplies?

The primary risk of a Fixed Price with EPA contract for office supplies is cost uncertainty for the government. While the fixed price provides a baseline, the EPA clause allows the contract price to increase if specific economic indicators (like inflation indices or raw material costs) rise. For office supplies, this could be influenced by the cost of paper, ink, plastics, and transportation. If market prices escalate rapidly during the contract period, the final cost to the government could significantly exceed the initial estimated price, potentially leading to budget overruns. Conversely, if prices fall, the EPA might not offer a corresponding reduction, though this is less common.

What is the track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts?

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a history of receiving government contracts, particularly those that align with its mission of employing individuals with visual impairments. As a recognized AbilityOne participating organization, it is accustomed to fulfilling federal procurement requirements. While specific performance metrics for this particular BPA Call are not available in the provided data, organizations like this typically have established processes for production and delivery. Their track record often emphasizes social impact alongside product delivery. A deeper dive into contract performance databases (like FPDS) would reveal past performance ratings and any reported issues.

How does this contract align with GSA's broader strategy for office supply procurement?

This contract aligns with GSA's strategy to provide a wide range of office products to federal agencies, often leveraging existing contract vehicles like BPAs. GSA aims to offer competitive pricing and efficient ordering processes. By awarding this BPA Call to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., GSA also fulfills its mandate to support socio-economic goals, including providing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The use of a BPA Call suggests GSA is utilizing established frameworks to meet specific agency needs quickly, while also potentially incorporating mission-driven vendors into the supply chain.

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