GSA awards $82.7K for NOMEX berth curtains, highlighting potential for cost savings in specialized supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,696 ($82.7K)

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: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: 35-36X40-50 BERTH CURTAIN SET,NOMEX

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $82,696.4 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: 35-36X40-50 BERTH CURTAIN SET,NOMEX Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for specialized safety equipment, but a direct comparison to similar items is needed for a definitive value-for-money assessment. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a healthy market for this type of product. 3. The short duration of the contract (7 days) may indicate a need for immediate fulfillment or a pilot purchase. 4. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call suggests this is a pre-negotiated agreement for recurring needs. 5. The product, NOMEX berth curtain sets, points to a specific safety or operational requirement within a federal facility.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $82,696.40 for 35-36X40-50 NOMEX Berth Curtain Sets appears to be for a specific, potentially niche, safety requirement. Without direct benchmarks for this exact item, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the price per unit, if calculable, should be compared against similar flame-resistant fabric products or specialized curtain suppliers. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause warrants monitoring for potential cost increases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method is generally preferred as it fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and quality. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the category of 'Home Centers' (NAICS 444110) suggests a broad range of potential suppliers could have participated.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining goods and services at the most competitive prices available in the market.

Public Impact

Federal facilities requiring specialized flame-resistant curtains for berthing areas will benefit from this procurement. The services delivered include the provision of safety-critical equipment designed to meet specific fire-retardant standards. The geographic impact is likely localized to the facility or facilities where these curtains are installed, primarily within Illinois given the 'IL' state code. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the installation and maintenance of the curtains.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause introduces potential for cost overruns if market prices for raw materials increase significantly.
The limited duration of the contract (7 days) might indicate a rushed procurement process or a lack of long-term planning for this specific need.
The specific nature of 'berth curtain sets' suggests a highly specialized requirement that may limit the pool of qualified suppliers in the future.
The absence of small business set-aside flags raises questions about opportunities for smaller enterprises in this procurement.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition ensures a broad market reach and encourages competitive pricing.
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a well-established supplier with a broad catalog, suggesting reliability in fulfilling the order.
The award of a BPA Call indicates a pre-existing relationship and streamlined process for acquiring these goods.
The use of NOMEX material signifies adherence to specific safety and performance standards, ensuring quality for the intended application.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the retail trade sector, specifically general home improvement and hardware stores (NAICS 444110), though the product itself is specialized safety equipment. The broader market for industrial safety supplies and flame-resistant textiles is significant, serving various sectors including manufacturing, aerospace, and defense. Benchmarking this specific item against general retail sales is challenging, but its specialized nature suggests it commands a premium over standard home goods.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the procurement was open to all responsible sources, and larger, established suppliers like W.W. Grainger were best positioned to meet the requirements. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or simply did not bid.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for this contract. Oversight is typically managed through contract administration, performance monitoring, and adherence to the terms of the BPA Call. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Industrial Safety Equipment Procurement
Flame-Resistant Textiles
Federal Civilian Agency Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increase due to Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause.
Lack of specific competition details (number of bidders) limits full assessment of market dynamics.
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a need for further analysis of long-term requirements.
Specialized nature of the product may limit future competition if not widely stocked.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $82,696.4 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. 35-36X40-50 BERTH CURTAIN SET,NOMEX

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 $82,696.4.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical lead time for W.W. Grainger, Inc. to fulfill orders for specialized safety equipment like NOMEX berth curtains?

While the contract itself has a very short delivery window (implied by the award and expiration dates), W.W. Grainger, Inc. typically offers a wide range of delivery options depending on product availability and customer location. For specialized items like NOMEX berth curtains, lead times can vary significantly. If the item is in stock at one of their distribution centers, expedited shipping could fulfill the requirement within days. However, if the item needs to be manufactured or sourced specifically, lead times could extend to several weeks or even months. The fact that this was a BPA Call awarded and expiring within a week suggests either the item was readily available or the requirement was for a very small quantity that could be fulfilled rapidly from existing stock.

How does the price of these NOMEX berth curtain sets compare to similar products offered by other federal contractors or commercial suppliers?

A direct price comparison for these specific NOMEX berth curtain sets is challenging without more detailed product specifications and a broader market analysis. W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a large distributor, and their pricing can be competitive, especially under pre-negotiated agreements like a BPA. However, specialized safety equipment often carries a premium due to material costs (NOMEX is inherently expensive) and manufacturing standards. To assess value, one would need to compare the price per square foot or per unit against other flame-resistant fabric suppliers or curtain manufacturers. The 'Home Centers' NAICS code might be misleading, as this is not a typical retail home center item; it's industrial safety equipment. Benchmarking against other GSA Schedule holders or competitively bid contracts for similar safety textiles would provide a more accurate value assessment.

What are the specific safety standards or certifications required for these NOMEX berth curtain sets, and does the awarded product meet them?

The use of 'NOMEX' strongly implies that the curtains are required to meet specific flame-resistant and thermal protective standards, likely related to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or military specifications for aircraft or ship berthing areas, or potentially OSHA requirements for workplace safety. NOMEX is a brand of aramid fiber known for its excellent heat and flame resistance. While the contract doesn't explicitly list the specific standards (e.g., NFPA 701, FAR 25.853), the selection of NOMEX material by the General Services Administration (GSA) suggests that the product is intended to meet stringent safety requirements. W.W. Grainger, Inc., as a reputable supplier, would be expected to provide products that comply with the stated material requirements and any referenced specifications within the BPA Call.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar safety equipment or berth curtains by the General Services Administration or other federal agencies?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'NOMEX berth curtain sets' specifically is difficult due to the niche nature of the item and potential variations in how it's categorized in procurement databases. However, GSA does procure a wide range of safety and industrial supplies. Spending on flame-resistant textiles and specialized safety equipment is common across various agencies, particularly those with operational facilities like military bases, airports, or research labs. Broader categories like 'Industrial Safety Equipment' or 'Textiles and Related Products' would show significant historical spending. The current award of $82.7K is relatively small in the context of overall federal procurement, suggesting this might be a recurring but not massive expenditure, or a one-time need for a specific location.

What is the risk associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this contract, and how is it managed?

The primary risk associated with an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause is that the final cost to the government could be higher than initially anticipated if the price of underlying commodities or labor increases. For NOMEX berth curtains, this could relate to the cost of aramid fibers, manufacturing labor, or transportation. GSA manages this risk by carefully defining the index or formula used for price adjustments, often requiring justification for any increases, and setting limits on how much prices can rise. The contracting officer monitors market trends and reviews any requested price adjustments to ensure they are fair and reasonable according to the contract terms. The short duration of this specific BPA Call might mitigate the long-term financial risk of the EPA, but it's a standard clause to account for market volatility.

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: $82,696

Exercised Options: $82,696

Current Obligation: $82,696

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline