GSA Awards $6.5M Contract for Compressed Single-Ply Toilet Tissue to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,536 ($6.5K)

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: $934/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,536 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E Key points: 1. The contract is for compressed, single-ply toilet tissue packaged for Navy and Forest Service use. 2. National Industries for the Blind is the sole awardee, indicating a non-competitive procurement. 3. The contract duration is 7 days, suggesting an urgent or short-term need. 4. The total award amount is $6,536, which is relatively small for a federal contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $6,536 is very low, making direct price comparisons difficult. Without more data on the quantity and specific product, it's hard to assess if this price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning there was no competition. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the small contract value, but the lack of competition is a general concern for efficient government spending.

Public Impact

Ensures essential supplies for military and forestry personnel. Supports a specific industry (industries for the blind) through federal procurement. The compressed format may offer logistical advantages for deployment. Limited public visibility due to the small contract size and sole-source nature.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Short contract duration may indicate rushed procurement.
Lack of detailed product specifications hinders value assessment.

Positive Signals

Supports a designated industry for the blind.
Provides essential supplies for critical government operations.

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under office supplies and stationery stores. Federal spending in this category is generally stable, but specific items like specialized compressed toilet tissue are niche.

Small Business Impact

While the awardee is National Industries for the Blind, which is a specific type of organization, the contract was not set aside for small businesses. The nature of the awardee may have influenced the sole-source decision.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this acquisition through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight is standard for GSA contracts, but the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Limited transparency on justification
Short contract duration raises questions about planning
Insufficient data for thorough value analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,536 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E

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 $6,536.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the rationale for the sole-source award for this specific type of toilet tissue?

The sole-source justification is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can fulfill the requirement. This could be due to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific government mandates. Further investigation into the contracting officer's justification would be necessary to understand the specific reasons.

How does the compressed format impact cost and logistics compared to standard toilet paper?

Compressed toilet tissue is designed to save space during storage and transportation, which can significantly reduce shipping costs and logistical complexity, especially for remote or deployed locations like military bases or forest service outposts. While the per-unit cost might be slightly higher than standard rolls, the overall cost savings in logistics can make it more economical for specific government use cases.

What is the expected unit volume and price per unit for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the quantity of compressed rolls or the total number of boxes. The total award amount is $6,536 for a 7-day delivery period. Without knowing the quantity, it is impossible to determine the price per unit or assess the value for money effectively.

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: $6,536

Exercised Options: $6,536

Current Obligation: $6,536

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