GSA awards $49,833 for FIST Kits, including stationery and writing supplies, under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,833 ($49.8K)
Contractor: JL Darling, LLC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-04-13
Contract Duration: 11 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT
Place of Performance
Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $49,832.9 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT Key points: 1. The contract for FIST Kits, containing essential office supplies, was awarded to JL Darling, LLC. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this stationery product manufacturing contract. 3. The contract duration is 11 days, indicating a short-term need or a call against a larger agreement. 4. The award was made via a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a pre-negotiated agreement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $49,833.29. Without specific per-unit breakdowns or comparison data for similar FIST kits, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure allows for some flexibility.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible prices through market forces.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential supplies for federal personnel. Supports the stationery product manufacturing sector. Awarded through a competitive process, potentially leading to cost savings.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed per-unit cost data for assessment.
- Economic price adjustment clause could lead to cost increases.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract awarded to a known entity (JL Darling).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Stationery Product Manufacturing sector, specifically for office and writing supplies. Benchmarks for this sector can vary widely based on item specifics and quantities.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award was made to JL Darling, LLC. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting in this specific award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service, utilizing a BPA Call. Oversight is inherent in GSA's procurement processes.
Related Government Programs
- Stationery Product Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
- Potential for price increases due to EPA.
- Short contract duration may indicate a specific, limited need.
- Award made via BPA Call, requiring review of the base BPA.
Tags
stationery-product-manufacturing, general-services-administration, wa, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $49,832.9 to JL DARLING, LLC. FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is JL DARLING, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $49,832.9.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-13.
What is the typical cost for a FIST Kit of this nature, and how does this award compare?
Without specific itemized costs for each component within the FIST Kit (notebooks, pens, markers, paper), a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. The total award of $49,833.29 for 11 days suggests a significant quantity or specialized components. Further analysis would require a detailed breakdown of the kit's contents and their individual market prices.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type for these supplies?
The primary risk with an economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is that the final cost to the government could increase if the cost of raw materials or labor rises significantly during the contract period. While intended to protect the contractor from unforeseen market fluctuations, it shifts some of the price risk to the government, potentially exceeding initial budget expectations.
How effectively does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' method ensure value for taxpayer money in this specific stationery procurement?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices through market forces. For standard items like stationery, this method is generally effective. However, the ultimate value depends on the specific requirements, the number and competitiveness of the bidders, and the negotiation process.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Stationery Product Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2614 PACIFIC HWY E, FIFE, WA, 98424
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,833
Exercised Options: $49,833
Current Obligation: $49,833
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-04-13
Potential End Date: 2026-04-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
More Contracts from JL Darling, LLC
- Fist KIT - TAN Case, Notebooks, Printer Paper, Markers & Pens, J.L. Darling Corp P/N Fist4t-Kit — $41.9K (General Services Administration)
- Fist KIT - Multicam Case, Notebooks, Printer Paper, Markers & Pens, J.L. Darling Corp P/N Fist4m-Kit — $32.3K (General Services Administration)
- Book, Field: Item Name Book, Field I.A.W. J L Darling P/N 980T or Equal Commercial. Overall Width 4.625 Inches Overall Length 7.250 Inches Paper Basis Weight 32.00 Pounds Overall Color Universal TAN Overall Cover Material Field-Flex Bound Grid Type U — $20.2K (General Services Administration)
- 4 X 6 Trifold KIT, 946T, Cover, FDE97 PEN, J.l.darling Corp P/N Bb946t-Kit — $18.8K (General Services Administration)
- Fist KIT - TAN Case, Notebooks, Printer Paper, Markers & Pens, J.L. Darling Corp P/N Fist4t-Kit — $16.9K (General Services Administration)
Other General Services Administration Contracts
- Software Life Cycle Development — $1.4B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order (TO) 47qfca21f0018 IS Hereby Awarded to Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. (BAH) to Provide Enterprise Level Data to the Ousd(c), and ITS Strategic Partners (I.E., DOD Fourth Estate, DOD Departments, and IC Community) — $1.4B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)
- THE Scope of the to IS to Provide Enterprise IT Services for the Usace — $1.1B (Science Applications International Corporation)
- Task Order Award — $1.1B (Booz Allen Hamilton Inc)