GSA awards $12,960 for carabiners to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. under a non-competed BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,960 ($13.0K)

Contractor: THE Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-16

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: PETZL, HD CARABINER, D LOCK GD

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12,960 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: PETZL, HD CARABINER, D LOCK GD Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a limited scope or specific need. 2. The award to a single entity without full competition raises questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. The short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates an immediate or short-term requirement. 4. The product category, carabiners, is common and likely available from multiple suppliers. 5. The awarding agency, GSA, typically aims for competitive pricing, making this sole-source award notable. 6. The economic price adjustment clause suggests potential for cost fluctuations over the contract period.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Given the small contract value of $12,960 and the nature of the product (carabiners), it is difficult to benchmark value without more detailed specifications and market data. The lack of competition means there's no direct comparison to assess if the price is optimal. However, for a small quantity of specialized carabiners, the price might be within a reasonable range, but this cannot be confirmed without further analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a BPA Call under a non-competed arrangement. This means that the specific call order was not openly competed. While the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) might have had some level of competition, this particular call order was likely placed directly with The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. without soliciting bids from other potential suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process for this specific call order.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., a non-profit organization. The contract delivers essential equipment (carabiners) likely for use in federal agency operations. The geographic impact is centered in Washington, D.C., where the contract is managed. The contract supports the mission of employing individuals with visual impairments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for this specific call order limits price discovery.
Potential for higher costs compared to a fully competed scenario.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to a social enterprise (The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.) aligns with government social responsibility goals.
GSA's involvement suggests adherence to established procurement procedures, even if not fully competed at the call level.
The use of a BPA mechanism can streamline future procurements for similar items.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of office supplies and stationery falls under the broader commercial products and services sector. Within this sector, specialized equipment like carabiners can be sourced through various channels. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages a wide array of contracts for common use items. The market for carabiners is diverse, ranging from industrial safety suppliers to sporting goods retailers. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and quantity, but GSA's role implies an attempt to standardize and manage costs for commonly needed items across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is a non-profit organization, not typically classified under the small business category for federal contracting purposes. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts. This award, being a BPA Call, would fall under the purview of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability is maintained through contract terms, performance monitoring, and payment processes. Transparency is typically provided through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse were identified.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies and Stationery Procurement
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Industrial and Safety Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12,960 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. PETZL, HD CARABINER, D LOCK GD

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 $12,960.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-16.

What specific type and grade of carabiner was procured, and what is the quantity?

The data provided identifies the item as 'PETZL, HD CARABINER, D LOCK GD'. This suggests a specific model of carabiner from the brand Petzl, likely a D-shaped locking carabiner. However, the exact quantity is not specified in the provided data, only the total award amount ($12,960) and the number of items (1, which is likely an error or refers to a single line item on a larger order). Without the quantity, it is impossible to determine the per-unit cost or compare it to market rates effectively. The 'HD' likely denotes 'heavy duty'.

What is the typical market price for a Petzl HD Carabiner D Lock GD?

Based on general market research for similar Petzl carabiners (e.g., Petzl Attache 3D Screw-Lock Carabiner, which shares some characteristics), individual units can range from approximately $10 to $30, depending on the specific model, features (like locking mechanism type), and the vendor. If the 'HD CARABINER, D LOCK GD' is a higher-end or specialized model, the price per unit could be at the upper end or even exceed this range. However, bulk purchasing through government contracts often secures lower prices than retail. Without the quantity, a precise per-unit cost cannot be calculated from the $12,960 award.

Why was this contract not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures)?

The contract was awarded as a BPA Call under a non-competed arrangement. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for purchases between $3,500 and $250,000. The reason it wasn't competed under SAP could be due to several factors: it might be a call against an existing BPA that was established through full and open competition previously, or there might be a specific justification for a sole-source award under SAP, such as only one responsible source being available. The data indicates 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting it bypassed standard SAP competition, possibly leveraging an existing contract vehicle or a specific exception.

What is the track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as a federal contractor?

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, often through specific programs designed to support the employment of individuals with significant visual impairments (e.g., Javits-Wagner-O'Neill Act, or JWOD Act, now AbilityOne). Their performance as a contractor is generally viewed positively within the context of fulfilling social and governmental objectives. While specific performance metrics for this carabiner contract are not available, their long-standing relationship with government agencies suggests a reliable track record in delivering required goods and services.

How does this contract compare to other GSA procurements for similar items?

Comparing this specific $12,960 award for carabiners is difficult without knowing the exact quantity and specifications. GSA procures a vast range of equipment. However, GSA often leverages large IDIQ contracts or BPAs that allow for competitive call orders, potentially securing lower unit prices than this sole-source BPA Call might represent. The fact that this was not competed under SAP suggests it might be an exception or a specific type of call order. Without comparative data on unit prices for identical or similar items procured competitively by GSA, a direct comparison of value is not feasible.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competed BPA Call?

The primary risk associated with a non-competed BPA Call is the potential for paying a higher price than could be achieved through full and open competition. Without multiple bids, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, there's a risk of limited innovation or a narrower selection of product options. Transparency can also be reduced, making it harder for oversight bodies and the public to assess the fairness and efficiency of the procurement. However, for specialized items or urgent needs, non-competed awards can sometimes be justified.

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

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline