GSA awards $14,055 contract for pine oil disinfectant, highlighting potential for bulk purchasing efficiencies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,055 ($14.1K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DISINFECTANT-DETERGENT,PINE OIL: 60% PINE OIL DISINFECTANT DETERGENT. REGISTERED AND LABELED INCOMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT(FIFRA). SIX (6) EACH,(1)GALLON BOTTLES PER BOX....

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14,055 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: DISINFECTANT-DETERGENT,PINE OIL: 60% PINE OIL DISINFECTANT DETERGENT. REGISTERED AND LABELED INCOMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT(FIFRA). SIX (6) EACH,(1)GALLON BOTTLES PER BOX.... Key points: 1. The contract value of $14,055 for disinfectant suggests a relatively small-scale procurement, potentially missing out on volume discounts. 2. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 3. The short duration of 7 days indicates a need for immediate supply rather than a long-term strategic sourcing effort. 4. Procurement through the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) implies adherence to established government purchasing procedures. 5. The product's registration under FIFRA ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations. 6. The award to National Industries for the Blind aligns with federal initiatives to support sheltered workshops and disabled individuals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14,055 for 7 days of supply for disinfectant appears reasonable for a small quantity. However, without knowing the exact volume of disinfectant purchased (e.g., number of gallons or cases), a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. Given the relatively low total value, it's unlikely that significant volume discounts were achieved. Future procurements could explore larger quantities to potentially leverage economies of scale.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, being listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This indicates a sole-source award, likely due to specific requirements or a pre-existing relationship. Without competition, there is no direct market price discovery, and the government may not have received the most advantageous pricing possible. The rationale for this sole-source decision would need further investigation to understand if it was justified.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, it's harder to ensure that the government secured the best possible price for this disinfectant.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring disinfectant supplies will benefit from this contract, ensuring operational readiness. The services delivered include the provision of registered and labeled pine oil disinfectant. The geographic impact is likely limited to the specific agency or location receiving the delivery, as indicated by the short duration. The contract supports the workforce at National Industries for the Blind, a social enterprise that employs individuals with disabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment compared to a fully competed scenario.
The small contract value might indicate missed opportunities for bulk purchasing discounts.
The short contract duration suggests a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning for ongoing needs.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports federal goals of employing individuals with disabilities.
The product meets FIFRA registration requirements, ensuring safety and compliance.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the procuring agency.

Sector Analysis

The market for cleaning and sanitation supplies is vast and highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal agencies are significant purchasers within this sector, often leveraging large-scale contracts through entities like the General Services Administration (GSA). While this specific contract is small, it falls within the broader category of janitorial and facility maintenance supplies. Benchmarking this against larger, competitively awarded contracts for similar disinfectants would likely reveal opportunities for cost savings through increased volume and competition.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, now part of the AbilityOne program. While not a traditional small business set-aside, the AbilityOne program is designed to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. There are no explicit subcontracting implications mentioned for small businesses in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees federal procurement, including this contract. Oversight is typically managed through GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). Accountability is maintained through contract terms and conditions, and performance monitoring. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, although the specific justification for the sole-source award would require deeper inquiry.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)
AbilityOne Program Contracts
Janitorial and Sanitation Supplies Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for missed volume discounts due to small contract value.
Limited transparency on specific product volume and unit pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14,055 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. DISINFECTANT-DETERGENT,PINE OIL: 60% PINE OIL DISINFECTANT DETERGENT. REGISTERED AND LABELED INCOMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT(FIFRA). SIX (6) EACH,(1)GALLON BOTTLES PER BOX....

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14,055.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the specific volume of disinfectant being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact volume of disinfectant (e.g., number of gallons or cases) being procured. The contract value is $14,055 for a 7-day delivery order. Without the quantity, it is impossible to calculate a precise per-unit cost or benchmark it effectively against market rates. This lack of detail hinders a thorough value-for-money assessment and makes it difficult to determine if the price paid is competitive on a per-unit basis.

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

The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supply or service, or in certain emergency situations. Without the official justification, it is difficult to assess whether this was an appropriate use of sole-source authority and if taxpayers received fair value compared to a competitive procurement.

How does the pricing of this disinfectant compare to similar products available through GSA Advantage or other federal contract vehicles?

A direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the exact product specifications and volume. However, GSA Advantage lists various disinfectants. For instance, similar 1-gallon pine oil disinfectants can range from $15 to $30 per gallon, depending on brand, concentration, and volume discounts. If this contract procured a significant quantity, the average price per gallon might be higher than what could be achieved through a larger, competed contract or a more competitive GSA Schedule offering. The $14,055 value suggests a substantial quantity, but the lack of unit detail prevents a definitive comparison.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind as a federal contractor for cleaning supplies?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a major supplier of products and services through the AbilityOne program. NIB and its associated agencies have a long history of providing goods, including cleaning supplies, to the federal government. Their participation is driven by the mandate to create employment for individuals with blindness. While specific performance metrics for this exact contract are not detailed, NIB generally fulfills its contractual obligations. However, the focus is often on employment creation and meeting basic requirements rather than achieving the absolute lowest price possible through aggressive competition.

What are the historical spending patterns for this specific type of disinfectant by the General Services Administration?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific disinfectant by GSA. The contract details indicate a single delivery order with a short duration and a value of $14,055. To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over multiple fiscal years, looking at contract vehicles, quantities, pricing, and awardees. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for this particular item.

Are there any performance risks associated with this contract, given the short duration and sole-source nature?

The primary performance risks are relatively low due to the short duration (7 days) and the nature of the product (disinfectant). The main risks stem from the procurement process itself: the sole-source award means there's a risk of paying a non-competitive price. If the quality or availability of the disinfectant is subpar, the short duration limits the impact, but it could still disrupt immediate needs. The reliance on a single source, even if reputable like NIB, carries a minor risk of supply chain disruption, though this is mitigated by the small quantity likely involved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

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: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,055

Exercised Options: $14,055

Current Obligation: $14,055

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline