GSA awards $7.5K for toilet paper, raising questions about value and competition for essential supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,487 ($7.5K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-14

Contract Duration: 5 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7,487.22 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focus on immediate or specific needs rather than large-scale procurement. 2. The limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and the absence of market-driven pricing. 3. The short duration of the contract (5 days) indicates an urgent requirement or a placeholder for a larger, undefined need. 4. The 'Other Warehousing and Storage' NAICS code is broad and may not fully capture the specific nature of the supply. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags warrants further investigation into opportunities for smaller vendors.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Given the small contract value of $7,487.22, a direct comparison to larger contracts is difficult. However, the price per unit is not provided, making a detailed value assessment challenging. The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggests that pricing may not have been subjected to competitive pressures, potentially leading to a less favorable rate than if multiple bids were solicited. Without more granular data on the quantity and type of toilet paper procured, benchmarking against market rates is speculative.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (NAC) status, which is a form of sole-source procurement. This means that the General Services Administration (GSA) did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. The reasons for NAC awards can vary, including specific government requirements, lack of available sources, or emergency situations. The limited competition here means taxpayers did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in an open bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher prices for taxpayers as the government may not secure the most cost-effective solution available in the market.

Public Impact

Federal employees and personnel within facilities managed by the GSA are the primary beneficiaries of this supply. The contract ensures the availability of essential sanitary supplies for daily operations. The geographic impact is likely limited to the specific facilities or locations served by the awarded vendor. There are no significant workforce implications associated with this small-value supply contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Broad NAICS code could obscure the true nature and cost drivers of the procurement.
Short contract duration raises questions about the planning and urgency of the requirement.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of essential supplies for government operations.
Awarded to a company specializing in logistics, suggesting potential efficiency in delivery.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of essential supplies like toilet paper falls under the broader category of general services and logistics within the federal contracting landscape. The market for janitorial and sanitary supplies is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. However, government procurement processes, especially sole-source awards, can limit the direct impact of this market competition. Benchmarking against similar GSA schedules or other agency procurements for janitorial supplies would provide further context on pricing and value.

Small Business Impact

The contract indicates 'ss' (small business set-aside) is false and 'sb' (small business) is false. This suggests the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to be a contract awarded to a small business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. This lack of small business participation warrants further review to ensure opportunities are being equitably distributed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). However, the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status requires careful justification and documentation to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations. Transparency for this specific award is limited due to the lack of competitive details. Inspector General oversight would typically apply to GSA procurements, ensuring accountability and investigating potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Federal Supply Schedules
Janitorial and Sanitation Supplies Procurement
Warehousing and Storage Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Limited Transparency
Potential for Overpricing
Insufficient Detail for Value Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,487.22 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,487.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-14.

What specific type and quantity of toilet paper was procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates 'PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.' The contract value is $7,487.22 with a duration of 5 days. Without access to the attached document, the specific type (e.g., ply, roll size, material) and exact quantity of toilet paper cannot be determined. This lack of detail hinders a precise assessment of value for money and unit pricing. The broad description suggests a need for further clarification from the contracting agency to understand the scope of the requirement.

What is the typical cost per unit for toilet paper procured by the GSA?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost information for this specific contract. The total award is $7,487.22 for a 5-day period. To benchmark the cost per unit, we would need to know the quantity of toilet paper purchased (e.g., number of cases, number of rolls). Government contracts for similar items, especially those awarded through competitive GSA Schedules, can vary significantly based on volume, quality, and delivery terms. Without this specific unit data, a meaningful comparison to market rates or other federal contracts is not possible.

What were the specific reasons for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The contract is marked as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (CT: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION), indicating a sole-source award. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for contracting without full and open competition. Common justifications include: only one responsible source being available, or an agency needing to procure unique supplies or services. Without further documentation or agency explanation, the precise reason for this sole-source award for toilet paper remains unclear. This lack of transparency is a concern for ensuring fair pricing and maximizing taxpayer value.

How does this contract's value compare to other GSA procurements for janitorial supplies?

The contract value of $7,487.22 is relatively small, especially for a 5-day duration. GSA procures a vast array of janitorial and sanitary supplies, often through large-volume contracts or GSA Schedules. Many individual orders or contracts for such supplies can easily exceed this amount, particularly for larger facilities or longer periods. This specific award appears to be for a very limited quantity or a specific, immediate need. Benchmarking requires comparing it to similar small-quantity, short-duration procurements rather than large-scale supply agreements.

What is the track record of NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC with federal contracts?

Information on the specific track record of NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past performance, contract types, agencies served, and any reported issues or awards. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their reliability, past performance quality, or pricing competitiveness in previous federal engagements. This specific award being sole-source further limits insight into their competitive performance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Warehousing and Storage › Other Warehousing and Storage

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,487

Exercised Options: $7,487

Current Obligation: $7,487

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC25D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline