GSA awards $128K BPA Call to W.W. Grainger for industrial supplies, highlighting broad availability

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $128,135 ($128.1K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PINE,#3,COM,1 X 12

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $128,134.67 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: PINE,#3,COM,1 X 12 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the broad scope of industrial supplies covered. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the established nature of the contractor and product category. 4. Performance context is within a standard supply contract framework. 5. Sector positioning is within the general industrial and facilities maintenance market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $128,134.67 for a 7-day period appears to be a reasonable call-off against a larger agreement. Benchmarking against similar broad industrial supply contracts managed by GSA suggests this is within expected parameters for the scope of goods likely procured. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure aims to manage cost fluctuations, which is standard for this type of supply.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, likely through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) mechanism. The specific details of the underlying BPA competition are not provided, but the 'call' itself suggests it was a competitive process to select a vendor for specific needs. The existence of a BPA typically implies multiple vendors were vetted, and this call-off likely went to the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing available, as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the underlying BPA and potentially this call-off.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring industrial and home center supplies will benefit from this contract. Services delivered include the provision of a wide range of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies. Geographic impact is national, as GSA schedules and BPAs serve agencies across the United States. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily supporting procurement and logistics personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price creep over the contract duration due to economic price adjustment clauses.
Reliance on a single large vendor for a broad category of supplies could limit future flexibility if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

W.W. Grainger is a well-established supplier with a proven track record in industrial distribution.
The use of a BPA call-off streamlines the procurement process for agencies, saving administrative time and resources.
The contract falls under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, indicating adherence to established procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the industrial supply and distribution sector, a large and mature market. Federal agencies are significant consumers of these goods, often procuring through large distributors like W.W. Grainger via GSA schedules and BPAs. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish for a single BPA call-off, but the overall federal spending on industrial supplies is substantial, running into billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The award to W.W. Grainger, a large business, does not appear to be a small business set-aside. While the contract itself doesn't mandate subcontracting, large prime contractors like Grainger often have programs to engage small businesses for specific components or services, though this is not explicitly detailed here. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on Grainger's internal subcontracting practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The BPA mechanism itself includes oversight through established contract terms and conditions. Accountability is managed through performance monitoring and adherence to the contract's fixed-price with economic price adjustment terms. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules
Federal Supply Schedules
Industrial Supplies Procurement
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Potential for Price Volatility
Reliance on Large Business Contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $128,134.67 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. PINE,#3,COM,1 X 12

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 $128,134.67.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the historical spending pattern with W.W. Grainger under GSA contracts?

Historical spending data with W.W. Grainger under GSA contracts is extensive, reflecting their long-standing position as a major supplier of industrial and MRO goods. While specific figures for this particular BPA call-off are limited to its $128K value over 7 days, Grainger consistently ranks among top awardees for industrial supply categories across various GSA schedules and BPAs. Analyzing broader GSA spending trends reveals billions awarded annually to large distributors for similar product categories. This suggests a pattern of consistent, high-volume federal procurement from established vendors like Grainger, driven by the broad needs of agencies for operational supplies.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar industrial supplies?

Benchmarking the pricing for this specific $128K BPA call-off against precise market rates is challenging without knowing the exact items procured. However, W.W. Grainger operates under GSA schedules, which are intended to provide pricing that is fair and reasonable, often reflecting negotiated discounts. The 'full and open competition' for the underlying BPA suggests that multiple vendors competed, driving prices down. Generally, GSA pricing aims to be competitive with, or better than, commercial list prices, especially when considering the administrative savings agencies achieve through streamlined procurement. The economic price adjustment clause allows for some fluctuation, but the base pricing is expected to be market-aligned.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract are potential price increases due to the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause and over-reliance on a single large vendor. The EPA risk is mitigated by the fact that adjustments are typically tied to established economic indices, preventing arbitrary price hikes, and the short duration (7 days) limits the impact. Over-reliance risk is managed through the competitive nature of the underlying BPA, which likely involved multiple vendors, and the agency's ability to issue future calls to different vendors or utilize other contract vehicles. Furthermore, W.W. Grainger's established reputation and robust supply chain generally minimize delivery and quality risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting agency needs for industrial supplies?

This contract is expected to be highly effective in meeting agency needs for industrial supplies due to the nature of W.W. Grainger's business and the GSA BPA structure. Grainger offers an extensive catalog of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies, catering to a wide array of federal agency requirements. The BPA call-off mechanism allows agencies to quickly procure necessary items without lengthy individual solicitations, ensuring timely access to critical supplies. The fixed-price with EPA structure provides cost certainty while allowing for necessary market adjustments. The overall effectiveness is enhanced by the established relationship and the competitive framework under which the BPA was likely awarded.

How does this contract fit within the broader context of federal spending on industrial goods?

This contract, valued at $128K for a 7-day period, represents a small fraction of the overall federal spending on industrial goods. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on maintenance, repair, and operating supplies, often through large distributors like W.W. Grainger via GSA Schedules and BPAs. This specific award exemplifies a common procurement method for routine operational needs. It fits within the broader strategy of leveraging large, competitively awarded contracts to achieve economies of scale and streamline purchasing processes for essential goods across the government.

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: $128,135

Exercised Options: $128,135

Current Obligation: $128,135

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline