W.W. Grainger awarded $693,360 for industrial supplies, with a short 7-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,336 ($69.3K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-16

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOOT,COYOTE,550 ST,090R,HOT WEATHER,PR

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $69,336 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: BOOT,COYOTE,550 ST,090R,HOT WEATHER,PR Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a short-term supply need. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces some inflation risk. 4. Short duration (7 days) indicates an immediate or urgent requirement. 5. Industrial supplies category (NAICS 444110) is broad, encompassing many potential items. 6. Awarded by GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, a common channel for agency procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $693,360 for a 7-day period is moderate. Without specific details on the quantity and type of industrial supplies, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, given the short timeframe, it suggests a focused procurement for immediate needs. Benchmarking against similar short-term, high-value supply contracts would provide further insight into its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a more competitive environment and potentially better pricing for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition itself is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive market that drives down prices and encourages efficiency.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring industrial supplies will benefit from the timely delivery of goods. Services delivered include the provision of essential maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. Geographic impact is likely localized to the ordering agency's facilities, with potential for broader distribution if multiple sites are involved. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting procurement and logistics personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Lack of detail on specific items procured makes it difficult to assess true value.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
W.W. Grainger is a well-established supplier with a broad catalog of industrial products.
GSA's involvement indicates adherence to established procurement procedures.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial supply sector, which is a critical component of the US economy supporting manufacturing, maintenance, and operations across various industries. The market for industrial supplies is large and competitive, with numerous distributors and manufacturers. This specific award, though moderate in value, represents a typical procurement action for government agencies needing readily available MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) items.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through direct sales to W.W. Grainger or by participating in future competitive solicitations if they meet the requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and competitive contracting. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedules (MAS)
Industrial Equipment and Supplies Procurement
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces potential for cost overruns.
Lack of specific item details hinders comprehensive value assessment.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive rather than proactive procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $69,336 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. BOOT,COYOTE,550 ST,090R,HOT WEATHER,PR

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 $69,336.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific industrial supplies were procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact industrial supplies procured. The NAICS code 444110, 'Home Centers', suggests a broad range of products including tools, hardware, building materials, and maintenance supplies. Without a detailed list of items, it is impossible to perform a granular analysis of the value or appropriateness of the procurement. Future analysis would benefit from access to the specific line items and quantities awarded.

How does the unit cost of the procured items compare to market rates?

A precise comparison of unit costs is not possible without knowing the specific items and quantities purchased. The contract value of $693,360 over 7 days suggests a significant volume or high-value items. W.W. Grainger is a large, established supplier, and their pricing can vary. Benchmarking would require comparing the prices of identical or highly similar items from other major industrial suppliers or government contracts. The presence of an Economic Price Adjustment clause also introduces variability.

What is the track record of W.W. Grainger, Inc. as a federal contractor?

W.W. Grainger, Inc. has a substantial history as a federal contractor, frequently awarded contracts for industrial supplies and equipment through various procurement vehicles, including GSA Schedules and other competitive solicitations. Their track record generally indicates reliability in delivering a wide range of MRO products. Analysis of past performance would involve reviewing specific contract awards, delivery performance, and any past performance issues or commendations.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' contract type for this procurement?

The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FPEPA) contract type introduces a risk of price escalation. While the base price is fixed, the contract allows for adjustments based on specified economic factors, typically related to inflation or changes in material costs. For a short-term contract like this (7 days), the potential for significant price fluctuation is somewhat mitigated by the limited duration. However, if the procured items are subject to volatile market prices, the government could end up paying more than initially anticipated.

How does the short 7-day duration impact the assessment of this contract's value and purpose?

The extremely short 7-day duration strongly suggests an urgent or immediate need for industrial supplies. This could be for a specific project, an emergency repair, or to replenish critical stock levels rapidly. Such short-term contracts often prioritize speed of delivery over extensive price negotiation or long-term strategic sourcing. While the total value is $693,360, the daily expenditure rate is very high, emphasizing the urgency. It implies that the government was willing to potentially pay a premium for rapid fulfillment.

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: $69,336

Exercised Options: $69,336

Current Obligation: $69,336

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline