GSA awards $4,655 contract for specialized shipping containers to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,655 ($4.7K)

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: $665/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOX, SHIPING, REUSABLE WITH CUSHIONING: IAW FED SPEC PPP-B-1672C, AMDT-3 9-1-83, TYPE II, STYLE-D - SEE SCHEDULE OF ITEMS FOR DESCRIPTION. 9 X 6 X 3-1/2

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,655 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BOX, SHIPING, REUSABLE WITH CUSHIONING: IAW FED SPEC PPP-B-1672C, AMDT-3 9-1-83, TYPE II, STYLE-D - SEE SCHEDULE OF ITEMS FOR DESCRIPTION. 9 X 6 X 3-1/2 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization dedicated to employing individuals who are blind. 2. Focus on specialized, reusable shipping containers meeting specific federal specifications. 3. Short contract duration of 7 days suggests a specific, immediate need. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment contract type allows for cost fluctuations. 5. No indication of small business set-aside, but contractor's mission aligns with social good. 6. Contract falls under the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4,655 is relatively small, making direct price benchmarking difficult without more specific item details. However, the award to National Industries for the Blind, an organization with a social mission, suggests a potential value beyond pure cost-efficiency, focusing on employment for the visually impaired. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure is standard for goods where material costs might fluctuate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This is often the case for specialized products or services where a specific vendor is uniquely qualified or mandated for procurement, such as through programs supporting specific populations. The lack of competition means price discovery through market forces was not utilized.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from supporting a mission-driven organization that provides employment for individuals who are blind, while still acquiring necessary federal supplies.

Public Impact

Individuals who are blind benefit through employment opportunities provided by the contractor. Federal agencies receive specialized shipping containers compliant with specific military specifications. The contract supports the manufacturing sector and associated supply chains. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the contractor's manufacturing facilities and the delivery location.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Supports a non-profit organization with a strong social mission.
Ensures procurement of specialized, compliant goods meeting federal specifications.
Contract duration is short, minimizing long-term financial commitment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores' sector, NAICS 453210. While the specific item is a shipping container, its procurement through this channel suggests it may be for office-related logistics or supplies. The market for specialized containers is diverse, but awards to organizations like National Industries for the Blind often leverage specific manufacturing capabilities tied to their employment mission.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. However, the contractor, National Industries for the Blind, is a non-profit organization that prioritizes employing individuals who are blind. While not a small business in the traditional sense, its mission aligns with supporting a specific population, and subcontracting opportunities are not explicitly detailed but would likely be limited given the specialized nature of the product.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'aw': 'DELIVERY ORDER'), oversight would focus on compliance with the terms of that vehicle and the specific delivery order requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases, but detailed operational oversight is likely managed internally by GSA.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison Industries
Procurement of Office Supplies
Logistics and Shipping Services
Disability Employment Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,655 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BOX, SHIPING, REUSABLE WITH CUSHIONING: IAW FED SPEC PPP-B-1672C, AMDT-3 9-1-83, TYPE II, STYLE-D - SEE SCHEDULE OF ITEMS FOR DESCRIPTION. 9 X 6 X 3-1/2

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 $4,655.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature of the 'reusable with cushioning' shipping containers and their intended use?

The data indicates the containers are 'REUSABLE WITH CUSHIONING: IAW FED SPEC PPP-B-1672C, AMDT-3 9-1-83, TYPE II, STYLE-D'. This federal specification details requirements for wooden boxes and crates, including cushioning materials, intended for the shipment and protection of government property. The specific dimensions are 9 x 6 x 3-1/2 inches. These containers are likely used for transporting sensitive or delicate equipment, supplies, or materials that require protection during transit, possibly within office supply or administrative contexts given the NAICS code.

How does the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP EPA) clause impact the final cost to the government?

The FP EPA clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, typically material or labor costs. For this contract, it means the initial $4,655 is an estimate, and the final price could be higher or lower depending on how the costs of materials used in manufacturing the containers change during the contract period. This protects the contractor from unforeseen cost increases but also means the government does not have a guaranteed fixed price, requiring monitoring of the economic indicators tied to the adjustment.

What is the typical volume of similar contracts awarded by GSA for specialized containers?

Without access to GSA's internal procurement data or more granular public databases, it's difficult to provide a precise benchmark for 'similar' contracts. However, the value of $4,655 suggests this is a relatively small, likely one-time or infrequent purchase rather than a large-scale, recurring requirement. GSA procures a vast array of supplies, and contracts for specialized containers can range from very small, like this one, to multi-million dollar agreements for large-scale logistics solutions, depending on the quantity, specifications, and duration.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to National Industries for the Blind (NIB)?

Awarding this contract to NIB has significant positive social implications. NIB is a recognized leader in employing individuals who are blind, and this contract directly contributes to that mission by providing work and economic opportunities. From a procurement perspective, it fulfills federal requirements to support such organizations (e.g., Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act). While the contract is sole-source, the value derived includes not just the physical goods but also the social return on investment in terms of employment and independence for visually impaired citizens.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific type of container or related items by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for this specific container type (9 x 6 x 3-1/2 inch cushioned shipping containers per PPP-B-1672C) by GSA is not readily available in the provided data snippet. However, GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages a wide range of supplies. Given the NAICS code (453210 - Office Supplies and Stationery Stores) and the small dollar amount, this likely represents an infrequent purchase. Broader spending on packaging and containers by GSA would be substantial, but tracking this niche item requires more specific data mining.

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: $4,655

Exercised Options: $4,655

Current Obligation: $4,655

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