GSA awards $13,289 for 3MM Thermoflex XL to Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,289 ($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: 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, XL

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,289.25 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, XL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization serving visually impaired individuals. 2. Limited competition due to the specific nature of the product and supplier. 3. Potential risk of higher pricing due to lack of robust competition. 4. Spending falls under Office Supplies and Stationery Stores (NAICS 453210).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract price of $13,289.25 for 7 days of supply appears high for office supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for bulk office supplies is difficult without more detail on the specific product and quantity.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded via a BPA Call. This suggests limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase. The lack of full and open competition may result in a higher cost than if it were widely bid.

Public Impact

Supports a social enterprise that employs individuals with visual impairments. Ensures availability of specialized office supplies for government agencies. Potential for higher costs due to limited competitive bidding process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Potential for overpricing
Short contract duration

Positive Signals

Supports a social enterprise
Procurement through an existing BPA call

Sector Analysis

Spending in the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210) is generally characterized by high volume and competitive pricing. This contract's limited competition may deviate from typical sector benchmarks.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a non-profit organization that employs individuals with significant visual impairments. While not a traditional small business, it fulfills a similar socio-economic objective.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which typically has established oversight mechanisms. However, the limited competition warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potentially high price per unit
Lack of detailed product specification
Short contract duration (7 days)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,289.25 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, XL

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 $13,289.25.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific quantity and detailed product specification of '3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, XL' to justify the $13,289.25 price?

Without detailed product specifications and quantity, it is difficult to accurately assess the value for money. The price seems high for what is categorized as office supplies. Further clarification on the exact nature of the 'Thermoflex' product and the volume purchased is needed to determine if the price is reasonable compared to market rates for similar specialized items.

What are the risks associated with awarding this contract without full and open competition?

The primary risk is paying a premium price due to the absence of robust competition. Limited competition can lead to less favorable terms and potentially higher costs for taxpayers. It also reduces the incentive for the contractor to offer the best possible price. Ensuring the price is fair and reasonable requires careful justification and potentially benchmarking against similar, albeit limited, sources.

How effective is the BPA Call mechanism in ensuring value for money for specialized items like this?

BPA Calls can be effective for streamlining the procurement of recurring needs or specialized items when pre-negotiated terms exist. However, their effectiveness in ensuring value for money hinges on the initial competition for the BPA itself and the specific call's terms. In this case, the limited competition for this specific call raises questions about whether the best possible price was achieved.

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: $13,289

Exercised Options: $13,289

Current Obligation: $13,289

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline