GSA Awards $396K for 75-Inch Bed Mattresses to W.W. Grainger, Inc. Under BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $396,225 ($396.2K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BED MATTRESS,75 IN L

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $396,224.98 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: BED MATTRESS,75 IN L Key points: 1. Spending on bed mattresses is relatively low, but the unit cost appears high. 2. W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a large, established supplier, indicating potential for reliable delivery. 3. The contract is a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, introducing some cost fluctuation risk. 4. The sector is 'Home Centers', which is a broad retail category with diverse pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The per-unit cost of approximately $5,500 for a 75-inch bed mattress is significantly higher than typical retail prices for similar items. This warrants further investigation into the specific features and quality of the mattresses purchased.

Cost Per Unit: $5,500 (estimated)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. While competition was present, the high per-unit price suggests that price discovery may not have been fully optimized or that specific requirements drove up costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying for these mattresses due to the high unit cost, despite the competitive award process.

Public Impact

Federal employees or military personnel may receive these mattresses, impacting their living conditions. The high cost could set a precedent for future similar procurements. Transparency in the justification for the high unit price is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost
Economic price adjustment clause
Lack of detailed product specifications

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Established supplier
Clear delivery timeline

Sector Analysis

The 'Home Centers' sector encompasses a wide range of goods, including furniture and bedding. Federal spending in this area is typically for facilities management and living quarters. Benchmarks for bulk mattress purchases can vary widely based on quality and features.

Small Business Impact

While W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a large business, the contract was awarded under full and open competition. There is no specific indication that small businesses were excluded, but their participation in this particular BPA call is not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) manages this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight should focus on ensuring the value for money is justified, especially given the high unit price, and that the economic price adjustment is applied appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Home Centers
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High unit cost raises value concerns.
Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty.
Lack of detailed product specifications hinders full assessment.
Potential for overpayment despite competitive award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $396,224.98 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. BED MATTRESS,75 IN L

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W.W. GRAINGER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $396,224.98.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific features or requirements justify the exceptionally high per-unit cost of these bed mattresses compared to commercial market prices?

The high per-unit cost of approximately $5,500 for a 75-inch bed mattress is a significant outlier. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to ascertain the justification. Potential factors could include specialized medical-grade materials, unique durability requirements for institutional use, specific anti-microbial or fire-retardant properties exceeding standard regulations, or custom sizing and construction not readily available in the commercial market. Further inquiry into the Statement of Work and product specifications is necessary.

What is the potential financial risk to taxpayers associated with the 'economic price adjustment' clause in this contract?

The 'economic price adjustment' (EPA) clause allows for price changes based on fluctuations in specific economic indicators, such as the Consumer Price Index or material costs. The primary financial risk to taxpayers is that the price of the mattresses could increase significantly over the contract period, even if the initial award price was deemed acceptable. This uncertainty makes budget forecasting more challenging and could lead to higher overall spending than initially anticipated.

How effectively does this procurement contribute to the government's overall mission and operational needs, considering the cost?

The effectiveness of this procurement hinges on whether the specialized nature of these mattresses is critical for a specific government mission, such as providing essential accommodations in unique environments or meeting stringent health and safety standards. If the mattresses are standard issue for general use, the high cost severely diminishes their effectiveness from a value-for-money perspective. A thorough assessment requires understanding the end-user requirements and the criticality of the mattress's specific attributes to mission success.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Home Centers

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100, GRAINGER PARKWAY, LAKE FOREST, IL, 60045

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $396,225

Exercised Options: $396,225

Current Obligation: $396,225

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC23A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline