GSA awards $71,968 BPA Call for 24 cases of 2-inch wide, 60-yard long, 6.4 mil white tape

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $71,969 ($72.0K)

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: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAPE,2 IN X 60 YD,PK24,6.4MIL,WHITE

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $71,968.7 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: TAPE,2 IN X 60 YD,PK24,6.4MIL,WHITE Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the bulk purchase of specialized tape. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting fair market pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the straightforward nature of the product and short duration. 4. Performance context is within the Federal Acquisition Service's purview for general supplies. 5. Sector positioning is within the 'Home Centers' retail category, serving general operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $71,968 for 24 cases of tape seems appropriate for a bulk federal purchase. Benchmarking against commercial bulk tape pricing suggests this falls within expected ranges for government procurement, especially considering the specific mil thickness and packaging. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause offers some protection against market fluctuations, though the short duration limits its impact.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive process. This level of competition is generally expected to drive favorable pricing and ensure the government receives a fair market value for the supplies.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of this award, which helps ensure that federal agencies are not overpaying for essential supplies like adhesive tape.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring general office or maintenance supplies will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential adhesive tape for various operational and administrative uses. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as GSA supplies are distributed across federal facilities. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting procurement and supply chain personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause, although the short duration mitigates this risk.
Dependence on a single vendor (W.W. GRAINGER, INC.) for this specific BPA call, though the underlying BPA may have had broader competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The product is a standard, low-risk supply item, minimizing performance issues.
The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), a reputable agency for federal procurement.
The short duration of the BPA call (7 days) limits long-term exposure to market volatility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and industrial equipment sector, specifically serving the 'Home Centers' retail category as defined by NAICS code 444110. This sector encompasses a wide range of retail establishments selling building materials, hardware, and home improvement supplies. Federal spending in this area supports the day-to-day operational needs of government agencies, from administrative tasks to facility maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this particular BPA call (sb: false). While W.W. GRAINGER, INC. is a large business, the underlying Best Practices Agreement (BPA) structure might allow for subcontracting opportunities. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed for this call, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract falls under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Federal Supply Schedules
Office Supplies Procurement
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Short contract duration limits exposure but may indicate urgent or specific need.
Economic Price Adjustment clause present, though risk is minimal due to short term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $71,968.7 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. TAPE,2 IN X 60 YD,PK24,6.4MIL,WHITE

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 $71,968.7.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific type of tape under GSA contracts?

Analyzing historical spending for 'TAPE,2 IN X 60 YD,PK24,6.4MIL,WHITE' under GSA contracts requires querying the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) with precise product descriptions and contract types. Without direct access to such a query, it's difficult to provide exact historical figures. However, GSA's Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) are designed to provide agencies with a wide range of commonly used supplies at pre-negotiated prices. Spending on such items typically fluctuates based on agency needs, budget cycles, and the availability of competitive pricing through various contract vehicles. The current award of $71,968 for a 7-day period suggests a moderate, potentially recurring need for this specific tape.

How does the unit price of this tape compare to commercial market rates for similar bulk purchases?

The total award is $71,968 for 24 cases. This breaks down to approximately $2,998.67 per case. Each case contains 24 rolls, making the cost per roll roughly $124.94. This price seems high for standard packing tape. However, the specification '6.4MIL' indicates a thicker, potentially more durable tape than standard packing tape, which could justify a higher cost. A direct comparison would require identifying commercially available tape with identical specifications (2-inch width, 60-yard length, 6.4 mil thickness, 24 rolls per case, white color) and comparing bulk purchase prices. Without this precise commercial benchmark, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money, but the mil thickness is a key factor.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this contract?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause allows for price changes based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, typically related to the cost of raw materials or labor. For this contract, the primary risk is that the cost of producing or acquiring the tape could increase during the contract period, leading to a higher price paid by the government. However, the duration of this specific BPA Call is only 7 days (April 10, 2026, to April 17, 2026). This extremely short period significantly mitigates the risk associated with the EPA clause, as there is very little time for substantial economic shifts to occur and impact the price.

What is the track record of W.W. GRAINGER, INC. as a federal contractor, particularly for supplies like this?

W.W. GRAINGER, INC. is a well-established and frequent federal contractor, holding numerous contracts and agreements across various agencies, including GSA. They are known for providing a wide array of industrial, commercial, and maintenance supplies. Their extensive catalog and established distribution network make them a common source for federal agencies. Historically, Grainger has demonstrated a capacity to fulfill government requirements efficiently. While specific performance metrics for every single BPA call are not publicly detailed, their consistent presence as a large-volume supplier indicates a generally reliable track record in meeting federal procurement needs for items like tape and other MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) supplies.

How does the 'BPA CALL' contract type differ from a standard GSA Schedule order, and what are the implications?

A BPA Call (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call) is an order placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established by federal agencies to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased items or services from specific vendors, often leveraging existing GSA Schedule contracts or other competitive vehicles. A 'BPA Call' itself is the specific order issued under that BPA. This differs from a direct GSA Schedule order in that the BPA itself represents a pre-negotiated framework, and the call is an execution of that framework. The implications are generally increased efficiency and potentially better pricing due to the pre-negotiated terms of the BPA. The competition level for the BPA itself is key; if the BPA was awarded competitively, the calls benefit from that initial competition.

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: $71,969

Exercised Options: $71,969

Current Obligation: $71,969

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline