GSA awards $4.29M contract for shipping supplies to Connecticut Container Corp., highlighting potential value adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,288 ($4.3K)

Contractor: Connecticut Container Corp.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-16

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $306/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOX,SHIPPING,FIBERBOARD,

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH HAVEN, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06473

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,288 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. for work described as: BOX,SHIPPING,FIBERBOARD, Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.29M over a short 14-day duration suggests a focused need for specific shipping supplies. 2. The use of a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type indicates potential for cost fluctuations based on market conditions. 3. Awarded under a BPA Call, this contract likely leverages pre-negotiated terms, potentially streamlining the acquisition process. 4. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the competition may not have specifically targeted smaller enterprises. 5. The primary product category, 'Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing,' points to a specific niche within the broader shipping and packaging sector. 6. The contract's short duration and specific product focus may limit broad performance benchmarking against longer-term, diverse supply contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.29 million for a 14-day period is substantial, suggesting a significant volume or specialized nature of the shipping supplies. Without specific details on the exact items and quantities, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The FPEPA clause introduces a risk of price escalation, which needs careful monitoring. Benchmarking against similar, short-term, high-volume supply contracts would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive, especially considering the potential for economic adjustments.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which limits the assessment of the competitive intensity. However, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible prices through a wide range of offers.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized shipping supplies, such as plastic bags and pouches, will benefit from this contract. The contract supports the logistical operations of government entities by ensuring the availability of essential packaging materials. The primary geographic impact is within Connecticut, where the contractor, Connecticut Container Corp., is located. The contract likely supports jobs within the plastics manufacturing and logistics sectors in Connecticut.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The FPEPA clause introduces uncertainty regarding the final cost to taxpayers if market prices for raw materials or labor increase significantly.
The short duration of the contract (14 days) may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning, potentially leading to less favorable pricing.
Lack of detail on the number of bidders limits the ability to fully assess the competitiveness of the award and potential for overpayment.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives competitive pricing.
The use of a BPA Call suggests leveraging existing contract vehicles, potentially leading to administrative efficiencies.
The contractor, Connecticut Container Corp., is located within the state, potentially offering logistical advantages for regional deliveries.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Manufacturing' sector, specifically the 'Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing' sub-sector (NAICS 326111). This industry is characterized by the production of flexible packaging solutions used across various commercial and government applications. The market size for industrial packaging is substantial, driven by e-commerce and supply chain demands. This specific contract represents a small portion of the overall federal spending on supplies and logistics, but highlights the government's reliance on specialized manufacturers for its operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity or that the competition did not prioritize small business participation. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially negative if opportunities were missed for small businesses to compete or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and competitive awards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would involve performance monitoring against the contract terms and conditions, with potential recourse for non-performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Procurement of Office Supplies
Logistics and Distribution Services
Packaging Material Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation due to FPEPA clause
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or limited strategic planning
Lack of specific bidder count limits competition assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,288 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP.. BOX,SHIPPING,FIBERBOARD,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,288.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-16.

What specific types and quantities of shipping supplies were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing' (NAICS 326111) and has a value of $4.29 million. However, the exact specifications, types of bags and pouches (e.g., bubble mailers, poly bags, custom-printed pouches), and precise quantities are not detailed in the summary data. This level of detail is crucial for a thorough value assessment and understanding the specific needs being met. Without this, it's difficult to benchmark against market prices for specific items or assess the appropriateness of the quantity awarded for the contract duration.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause typically function for this type of contract, and what are the potential cost implications?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract allows for modifications to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as the cost of raw materials (e.g., resins for plastic bags) or labor. This clause is intended to protect both the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and the government from paying excessively inflated prices if costs decrease. For this contract, the EPA could lead to an increase or decrease in the final price from the initial $4.29 million, depending on market trends for plastic manufacturing inputs during the contract period. The specific index or formula used to calculate adjustments is critical for understanding the potential cost exposure.

What was the historical spending pattern for similar shipping supplies by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar shipping supplies by the GSA is essential for context. Without specific historical data, it's challenging to determine if the $4.29 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these items. GSA often procures supplies through various mechanisms, including Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) and other competitive vehicles. Understanding past contract values, durations, and the number of bidders for comparable items would help assess whether this current award is competitive and represents good value over time. Trends in pricing and volume can indicate market shifts or changes in agency demand.

What is the track record of Connecticut Container Corp. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for shipping supplies?

Connecticut Container Corp. has been awarded this contract, valued at $4.29 million, for shipping supplies. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts. Key indicators include on-time delivery rates, quality of goods provided, adherence to contract terms, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Information from sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be invaluable. A strong performance history suggests reliability and a lower risk for this current contract, while a history of issues might warrant closer scrutiny of this award.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does this number imply about the level of competition?

The provided data states the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' but it does not specify the number of bids received. A high number of bids typically indicates robust competition, which generally leads to better pricing and terms for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids might suggest limited market interest, potential barriers to entry for other firms, or a highly specialized requirement. Without the exact number, it's difficult to definitively assess the competitive landscape and its impact on the final negotiated price and value for taxpayers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONTAINERS/PACKAGING/PACKING SUPPL

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: 455 SACKETT POINT RD, NORTH HAVEN, CT, 06473

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,288

Exercised Options: $4,288

Current Obligation: $4,288

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A000D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline