GSA awards $4.16M for personal desk kits, raising questions about value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,157 ($4.2K)

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: $831/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PERSONAL DESK KIT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,157.1 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: PERSONAL DESK KIT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract's value appears high for basic office supplies, warranting a closer look at the specific items included. 2. Limited competition for this delivery order suggests potential for inflated pricing. 3. The short duration and fixed-price nature may limit contractor flexibility but also cap potential cost overruns. 4. This contract falls under warehousing and storage, but the specific product is a personal desk kit. 5. The lack of a small business set-aside is noted, though the contract value might be below typical thresholds for such considerations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of $4.16 million for personal desk kits seems substantial, especially given the short delivery window. Without a detailed breakdown of the kit's contents, it's difficult to benchmark against market rates for similar office supply bundles. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the absence of competitive bidding raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis of the specific items and quantities is needed to determine true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'Not Available for Competition,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically yields better pricing and wider vendor participation. The lack of open competition means potential savings may have been forgone, and it limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to its advantage.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive pressure, as the contractor faced no direct rivals for this award.

Public Impact

Federal employees requiring essential items for their workstations will benefit from these desk kits. The services delivered involve the procurement and likely distribution of office supplies. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal employees across various locations. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the logistics and distribution personnel involved in fulfilling the order.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding could lead to overpayment.
High total award value for a short-term supply contract.
Absence of detailed justification for sole-source award.
Potential for unneeded or overpriced items within the 'desk kit'.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short delivery window ensures timely provision of supplies.
Awarded by GSA, an agency with established procurement processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Warehousing and Storage' NAICS code (493190), but the actual product is a personal desk kit. This suggests a procurement focused on office supplies rather than traditional warehousing services. The market for office supplies is generally competitive, making the sole-source nature of this award unusual. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within office supply contracts awarded through competitive means.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Given the 'Not Available for Competition' status, it's unlikely that small businesses were actively considered or solicited for this specific award. This limits opportunities for small business participation in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts. However, the 'Not Available for Competition' designation warrants scrutiny. Transparency regarding the justification for this award is crucial. Further review would involve examining GSA's internal documentation justifying the sole-source award and ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies Procurement
Federal Employee Support Services
GSA Schedule Contracts
Warehousing and Storage Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award justification required.
Potential for overpricing due to lack of competition.
Lack of detailed product information for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,157.1 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. PERSONAL DESK KIT: - 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 $4,157.1.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific items constitute the 'Personal Desk Kit' and what are their individual costs?

The provided data does not detail the specific contents of the 'Personal Desk Kit.' The description 'PERSONAL DESK KIT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL' indicates that a separate document contains this crucial information. Without access to that document, it is impossible to assess the value for money, benchmark unit costs against market rates, or determine if the items are necessary and reasonably priced. The total award of $4.16 million suggests a significant quantity or high-value items, which necessitates a detailed itemization for proper analysis.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which typically signifies a sole-source award. Federal regulations permit sole-source procurements under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. However, the rationale for this specific award is not provided in the summary data. A thorough review would require accessing GSA's justification and approval (J&A) document, which must detail the reasons why full and open competition was not feasible or advantageous for this $4.16 million contract.

How does the $4.16 million award compare to historical spending on similar desk kits or office supply bundles by the GSA?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for similar 'Personal Desk Kits' or office supply bundles. To conduct a comparative analysis, one would need to research past GSA contracts for comparable items, ideally those awarded through competitive processes to establish a baseline for pricing. Analyzing trends in office supply procurement spending over time, and specifically looking at the volume and value of similar kits procured by GSA or other federal agencies, would be necessary to contextualize the $4.16 million award. Without this historical data, assessing whether this award represents an increase or decrease in spending is not possible.

What are the risks associated with a fixed-price contract for office supplies with a short delivery window?

For office supplies with a short delivery window, a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract generally presents lower risk for the government regarding cost overruns, as the price is set. However, risks can emerge if the initial price was not adequately benchmarked due to limited competition. If the price is too high, the government overpays. Conversely, if the price is set too low without proper market research, the contractor might struggle to fulfill the order with quality items, potentially leading to delivery delays or substandard products, although the short 5-day duration (from award to delivery) makes significant quality issues less likely than fulfillment challenges.

What is the typical market rate or per-unit cost for a comprehensive personal desk kit?

Determining a 'typical' market rate for a 'Personal Desk Kit' is challenging without a precise definition of its contents. Desk kits can range from basic stationery (pens, notebooks) to more elaborate sets including organizers, mousepads, and ergonomic accessories. Given the $4.16 million total award, if this represents a large quantity of kits, the per-unit cost might be relatively low. However, if it's for a smaller number of more premium kits, the per-unit cost could be significantly higher. Without the itemized list from the attached document, providing a reliable per-unit cost benchmark is not feasible.

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: $4,157

Exercised Options: $4,157

Current Obligation: $4,157

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