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. Limited competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers. 3. The contract duration is short, suggesting potential for future re-competition. 4. Focus on office supplies indicates a need for essential operational materials. 5. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which can streamline procurement. 6. The contractor's mission aligns with supporting individuals with visual impairments.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period is substantial for office supplies. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces some risk of cost escalation. However, the short duration might mitigate the impact of potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and appears to be a sole-source award via a BPA Call. The lack of competition means that multiple vendors were not solicited, and there is no direct comparison of pricing from different suppliers. This limits the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the most advantageous pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium compared to what might be achieved through a competitive process, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Federal agencies in Washington D.C. will receive essential office supplies. The contract supports the operational needs of government offices. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is the sole recipient of this award. This contract indirectly supports employment opportunities for individuals with visual impairments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Short contract duration could indicate a need for more strategic sourcing.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to an organization with a social mission.
BPA Call mechanism can offer administrative efficiencies.
Ensures supply of critical office materials to government operations.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery stores sector (NAICS 453210) is a mature market with numerous suppliers. Federal spending in this category is consistent, driven by the daily operational needs of government agencies. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing demand. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for similar supplies is challenging without competitive data, but the market generally supports a wide range of pricing.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded directly to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award, it bypasses the typical competitive environment where small businesses might have opportunities to bid or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would typically involve monitoring contract performance, ensuring compliance with terms, and managing payments. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, and specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies
Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for overpricing

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 track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for office supplies?

Information regarding The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.'s specific track record with federal office supply contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, as an organization dedicated to employing individuals with blindness and visual impairments, their mission suggests a commitment to operational efficiency and quality in their product and service delivery. Federal agencies often partner with such organizations through specific programs or sole-source awards to support their missions. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and contract history with federal agencies would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specific area.

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

Direct comparison of pricing is not possible without a competitive bidding process for this contract. As a sole-source award, the government did not solicit offers from multiple vendors, which typically drives down prices through competition. The 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) contract type also introduces variability. While the base price is fixed, it can be adjusted based on economic factors, potentially increasing the final cost. To assess value, one would need to compare the unit prices of specific items against GSA Schedule contracts or other publicly available pricing for comparable quality and quantities, which is not feasible with the current data.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achievable in a competitive environment. Without multiple bids, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Another risk is the lack of transparency in the procurement process, making it difficult to verify that the government received the best value. The economic price adjustment clause also introduces a risk of cost escalation over the contract period, although the short duration of this specific award (7 days) may mitigate this risk significantly.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting the government's need for office supplies?

The effectiveness of this contract in meeting the government's need for office supplies is likely to be high in terms of supply availability, given that it is a direct award to a specific provider. The General Services Administration (GSA) typically ensures that awarded contractors can meet demand. The primary concern regarding effectiveness would be related to cost-efficiency rather than the ability to deliver the goods. The short duration suggests it might be a stop-gap measure or a specific call against an existing agreement, implying a focused and immediate need.

What are the historical spending patterns for office supplies by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending patterns for office supplies by the General Services Administration (GSA) are substantial, reflecting the ongoing need for these materials across numerous federal agencies. GSA manages a vast array of procurement vehicles, including GSA Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), to facilitate the purchase of office supplies. While specific aggregate spending figures for office supplies are not provided here, GSA's role as a central procurement agency means it consistently awards significant contracts in this category. Spending can fluctuate based on agency needs, budget allocations, and the availability of competitive contract vehicles.

What is the significance of the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation?

The designation 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' indicates that this contract was not procured using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). SAP is designed for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000) and aims to streamline the acquisition process for smaller value contracts. When a contract is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' it implies that it either exceeded the SAP threshold, or specific circumstances allowed for a different procurement method, such as a sole-source award, a deviation from standard procedures, or a call against an existing contract vehicle like a BPA. This often means a more formal, potentially less expedited, procurement process was followed, or that it falls outside the scope of simplified procedures.

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