GSA awards $743K contract for waste receptacles to National Industries for the Blind, a sole-source award

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,432 ($7.4K)

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: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7,432 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract value of $743,200 for waste receptacles appears reasonable given the fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure. 2. The sole-source nature of this award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The short duration of the contract (7 days) suggests a need for immediate supply or a specific, limited requirement. 4. National Industries for the Blind is a long-standing provider to the government, indicating a known entity for this product. 5. The contract falls under the 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores' NAICS code, aligning with the product type. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $743,200 for a 7-day delivery order of waste receptacles is difficult to benchmark without specific quantity and quality details. However, given the sole-source nature and the fixed-price with economic price adjustment clause, the pricing is assumed to be negotiated. The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a known government supplier, and their pricing is often competitive within their specific mission-driven framework. Without comparable bids or detailed specifications, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the amount is not inherently excessive for a government supply contract of this type.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The justification for a sole-source award typically involves specific circumstances, such as the unique capabilities of a single provider or an urgent need that cannot be met through competition. In this case, the award to National Industries for the Blind suggests a specific relationship or mandate that bypasses the standard competitive procurement process. The lack of competition means that taxpayers do not benefit from the potential cost savings that could arise from multiple vendors bidding for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award means taxpayers may not be receiving the lowest possible price for these waste receptacles, as competitive bidding was not utilized to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring waste receptacles will benefit from the timely delivery of these essential supplies. The services delivered include the provision of office supplies, specifically waste receptacles, supporting the operational needs of government facilities. The geographic impact is likely national, as GSA procures items for various federal agencies across the country, though specific delivery locations are not detailed. The contract supports the mission of the National Industries for the Blind, which aims to create employment opportunities for blind individuals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than a fully competed contract.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases over the contract term.
Short contract duration might indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports a mission-driven organization providing employment for blind individuals.
GSA's involvement suggests adherence to federal procurement standards and potential for streamlined ordering for agencies.
Fixed-price contract provides some cost certainty, albeit with an economic adjustment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and equipment sector. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 453210, 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores,' encompasses businesses that sell office supplies. The federal government is a significant purchaser of such goods, with agencies relying on GSA and other contracting vehicles for their needs. The market for office supplies is generally competitive, but specific items or specialized providers, like those serving mission-driven organizations, can operate under different procurement frameworks. Benchmarking this specific award is difficult without detailed quantity and quality specifications.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside designation (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, it does not directly contribute to small business subcontracting goals or provide direct opportunities for small businesses to compete for this specific award. The National Industries for the Blind, while a mission-driven organization, is not typically classified as a small business under standard SBA size standards. The absence of set-aside provisions means that the primary beneficiaries are likely the employees of the National Industries for the Blind.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract, which is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service is responsible for managing a wide range of government procurement. Oversight mechanisms would include GSA's contract administration processes, ensuring compliance with the contract terms and conditions. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight may be applicable if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected, but specific IG involvement is not indicated for this particular award.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal Supply Schedules
Procurement for Blind and Severely Disabled Individuals

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty.
Lack of detailed specifications hinders full analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,432 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

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 $7,432.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific types and quantities of waste receptacles are included in this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types or quantities of waste receptacles covered by this contract. The description 'BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL' indicates that a detailed document contains this information, which is not available in the provided snippet. Without these specifics, it is impossible to accurately assess the value, unit cost, or suitability of the award. This level of detail is crucial for any in-depth analysis of the contract's effectiveness and fairness.

What is the justification for the sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the given data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required goods or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or specific government mandates, such as those supporting the employment of individuals with disabilities through organizations like National Industries for the Blind (NIB). A formal justification document, often found in contract files, would detail the specific reasons why competition was not feasible or advantageous in this instance.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause work for this contract?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause in this contract allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor or material costs. The exact mechanism for adjustment is detailed in the contract's terms and conditions, which are not fully provided here. Typically, an EPA clause aims to protect both the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and the government from excessive pricing if costs decrease. The 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (PT: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT) designation indicates that the base price is fixed, but it can be modified under predefined conditions related to economic changes.

What is the historical spending pattern for waste receptacles with National Industries for the Blind?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for waste receptacles with National Industries for the Blind. To assess this, one would need to query contract databases for previous awards to this contractor for similar items over various fiscal years. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in contract values, quantities purchased, and pricing, which could help determine if the current award is consistent with past procurements or represents a significant deviation. Without this context, it's difficult to gauge the long-term relationship and spending trajectory.

What is the typical lead time for delivery orders of this nature?

The contract has a very short duration of 7 days (dur: 7), with a start date of April 1, 2026, and an end date of April 8, 2026 (sd: 2026-04-01, ed: 2026-04-08). This suggests an urgent requirement for waste receptacles. Typical lead times for office supplies can vary significantly based on stock availability, order volume, and the contractor's fulfillment capabilities. For a delivery order of this type, especially from a known supplier like NIB, a 7-day window is achievable if the items are readily available in their inventory or can be quickly sourced and shipped.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,432

Exercised Options: $7,432

Current Obligation: $7,432

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline