GSA Awards $7,750 Contract for Paper Towels to National Industries for the Blind
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,750 ($7.8K)
Contractor: National Industries for the Blind
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-04-09
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: P/N: BWK6202MFR: BOARDWALKITEM: PAPER TOWEL
Place of Performance
Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $7,750 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: P/N: BWK6202MFR: BOARDWALKITEM: PAPER TOWEL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for paper towels, a common office supply. 2. Sole source award to National Industries for the Blind raises competition concerns. 3. Fixed price with economic price adjustment contract type may expose taxpayers to inflation risk. 4. Spending falls within the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $7,750 is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar paper towel contracts is difficult without more specific product details and volume. The economic price adjustment clause introduces uncertainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract is a sole-source award, indicating a lack of competition. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal due to the small contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent.
Public Impact
Ensures supply of essential office items like paper towels. Supports a specific vendor, National Industries for the Blind. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award and price adjustment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Economic price adjustment clause.
- Lack of detailed product specifications for benchmarking.
Positive Signals
- Supports a mandated source for supplies.
- Ensures availability of essential office supplies.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector. Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by recurring needs for administrative and operational materials across government agencies.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, is a specific type of organization, not a typical small business. Analysis of small business participation is not applicable in this sole-source context.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) manages this contract. Oversight should focus on ensuring the necessity of the sole-source award and the reasonableness of the economic price adjustments.
Related Government Programs
- Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty.
- Lack of detailed product specifications for benchmarking.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive pressure.
Tags
office-supplies-and-stationery-stores, general-services-administration, mo, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $7,750 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. P/N: BWK6202MFR: BOARDWALKITEM: PAPER TOWEL
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 $7,750.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-09.
What is the justification for the sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind for paper towels?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For National Industries for the Blind, this often relates to their mission of employing individuals with significant disabilities, which may qualify them under specific procurement regulations or mandates. Further details on the specific justification would be needed to fully assess its validity.
How does the economic price adjustment clause impact the overall risk and potential cost overrun for this contract?
The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for changes in contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as inflation. This introduces risk for the government, as the final price could be higher than initially anticipated. The impact depends on the specific index used, the frequency of adjustments, and the volatility of the underlying economic factors during the contract period.
Is the pricing for these paper towels competitive, even with the sole-source designation?
It is difficult to definitively assess competitiveness without a competitive bidding process. While National Industries for the Blind may offer competitive pricing within its specific mandate, the absence of other bidders prevents direct comparison. The fixed price with EPA structure adds a layer of uncertainty to the final cost, making a direct value assessment challenging.
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: $7,750
Exercised Options: $7,750
Current Obligation: $7,750
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
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-04-09
Potential End Date: 2026-04-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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