GSA Awards $8,971 Contract for High-Absorbency Paper Towels to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,971 ($9.0K)

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: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOWEL,PAPERIPING, AND POLISHING SOFT PLASTIC SURFACES; PAPER, THREE-PLY MINIMUM, HIGHLY ABSORBENT, NON-ABRASIVE; 14.75 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA OF MINIMUM OF 250.0 SQUARE INCHES; TENSILE STRENGTH 388.0 OUNCESPER INCH DRY AND 78.0 OUN

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,971.2 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: TOWEL,PAPERIPING, AND POLISHING SOFT PLASTIC SURFACES; PAPER, THREE-PLY MINIMUM, HIGHLY ABSORBENT, NON-ABRASIVE; 14.75 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA OF MINIMUM OF 250.0 SQUARE INCHES; TENSILE STRENGTH 388.0 OUNCESPER INCH DRY AND 78.0 OUN Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized, high-quality paper towels for cleaning and polishing. 2. National Industries for the Blind, a key supplier for the blind, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a delivery order under an existing contract, indicating a specific need. 4. Pricing is fixed, providing cost certainty for the duration of the order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8,971.20 for a 7-day delivery order appears reasonable for specialized paper products. Benchmarking is difficult without specific product details and market prices for similar high-absorbency, large-format towels.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract is awarded sole-source to National Industries for the Blind, likely due to their specific mission and capabilities. This limits price discovery through competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs than a competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase, and while the amount is small, the lack of competition means the government may not be achieving the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of essential cleaning and polishing supplies for government facilities. Supports the mission of National Industries for the Blind, which employs individuals who are blind. Provides specialized paper products meeting specific performance criteria (absorbency, size, strength).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
Short duration may indicate urgent or specific need, potentially impacting bulk pricing.
Limited product details make independent cost validation challenging.

Positive Signals

Supports a specific government mission through a dedicated supplier.
Fixed price contract provides cost predictability.
Clear product specifications ensure quality requirements are met.

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under the wholesale trade of service establishment equipment and supplies. Spending in this sector is generally driven by the operational needs of government agencies for janitorial and maintenance supplies.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, is a non-profit organization that provides employment for blind individuals. While not a traditional small business, it fulfills a similar socio-economic objective by supporting a specific population.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under an existing contract, oversight is likely managed by the Federal Acquisition Service of GSA. The fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies financial oversight, but the sole-source aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement limits competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed product specifications hinders independent cost analysis.
Short contract duration may not reflect optimal bulk purchasing opportunities.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of market competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,971.2 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. TOWEL,PAPERIPING, AND POLISHING SOFT PLASTIC SURFACES; PAPER, THREE-PLY MINIMUM, HIGHLY ABSORBENT, NON-ABRASIVE; 14.75 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA OF MINIMUM OF 250.0 SQUARE INCHES; TENSILE STRENGTH 388.0 OUNCESPER INCH DRY AND 78.0 OUN

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 $8,971.2.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind typically stems from legislative mandates or specific program requirements designed to support employment for the blind. Price reasonableness is usually determined through comparison with historical pricing, catalog prices, or independent government cost estimates, though transparency on this specific determination is limited without further documentation.

Are there alternative products or suppliers that could meet these specifications at a potentially lower cost through competition?

While National Industries for the Blind is a primary supplier for many government needs related to the blind, it is possible that other manufacturers produce similar high-absorbency paper towels. A competitive solicitation, if feasible and not precluded by specific program requirements, could potentially yield lower prices. However, the unique mission-driven aspect of the awardee may justify the current procurement method.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring these types of supplies to ensure cost-effectiveness and adequate competition?

The long-term strategy likely involves continuing to leverage existing contract vehicles that prioritize or mandate awards to organizations like National Industries for the Blind, balancing mission support with cost. Agencies may periodically review market capabilities to identify opportunities for competition where feasible, or explore alternative product specifications that could be sourced more competitively while still meeting essential needs.

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: $8,971

Exercised Options: $8,971

Current Obligation: $8,971

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