GSA's $102K Contract for 1.5-inch, 10ft pipes awarded to W.W. Grainger, Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $102,439 ($102.4K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: TYPE L,HARD LENGTH,1 1/2 IN.10FT.

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $102,439.27 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: TYPE L,HARD LENGTH,1 1/2 IN.10FT. Key points: 1. Spending on pipes is essential for infrastructure maintenance and repair. 2. W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a major industrial supplier, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract's short duration (7 days) suggests a tactical procurement, potentially limiting long-term price leverage. 4. The 'Home Centers' NAICS code might indicate a broader scope than just industrial piping.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $102,439.27 for a short duration appears reasonable for bulk pipe procurement. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule or open market purchases for industrial pipes would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. The BPA Call award mechanism implies a pre-competed agreement was leveraged, which generally promotes price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is expected to yield fair market prices, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expense for essential supplies.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of critical plumbing supplies for federal facilities. Supports maintenance of government infrastructure across various agencies. Provides a mechanism for rapid procurement of necessary materials.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation due to economic price adjustment clause.
Short contract duration may not capture best long-term pricing.
NAICS code 'Home Centers' might not fully capture specialized industrial pipe needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Utilizes a BPA Call, leveraging existing contract vehicles.
Contractor is a well-established supplier.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the 'Home Centers' NAICS code, which is broad. Spending on pipes and plumbing supplies is a consistent need across federal agencies for facility maintenance and construction projects. Benchmarks vary widely based on pipe material, size, and quantity.

Small Business Impact

While W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a large business, the use of a BPA Call may have originated from a contract that included small business participation. Further analysis of the underlying BPA would be needed to assess small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) manages federal procurement, including this contract. Oversight is typically handled through contract administration and performance monitoring to ensure compliance and value.

Related Government Programs

Home Centers
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment clause may increase costs.
Short contract duration limits long-term price optimization.
NAICS code may not fully align with specialized industrial needs.
Potential for price volatility in copper market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $102,439.27 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. TYPE L,HARD LENGTH,1 1/2 IN.10FT.

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 $102,439.27.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the specific type and material of the pipes being procured, and how does this impact the unit cost benchmark?

The data specifies 'TYPE L,HARD LENGTH,1 1/2 IN.10FT.' This indicates Type L copper pipe, suitable for residential and commercial plumbing, in 10-foot lengths with a 1.5-inch diameter. Copper pipe is generally more expensive than steel or PVC alternatives. Without specific market data for this exact configuration, a precise unit cost benchmark is difficult, but it would be significantly higher than basic steel piping.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) contract type for this procurement?

The FPEPA clause introduces risk of price increases for the government if the cost of raw materials, particularly copper, escalates significantly during the contract period. While it protects the contractor from losses due to market fluctuations, it transfers some of that risk to the government, potentially increasing the final expenditure beyond the initial fixed price estimate.

How effectively does the 'Home Centers' NAICS code capture the specific needs for industrial-grade piping, and does it limit competition?

The 'Home Centers' NAICS code (444110) primarily covers retail establishments selling building materials and supplies. While it might include some types of pipes, it may not adequately represent specialized industrial piping requirements or attract suppliers focused solely on industrial markets. This could potentially limit the pool of highly specialized competitors and may not reflect the most competitive pricing for industrial-grade materials.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

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: $102,439

Exercised Options: $102,439

Current Obligation: $102,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline