GSA awards $20,488 for JL Darling field notebooks under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,248 ($20.2K)

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: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: 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

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20,248.3 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: 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 Key points: 1. Notebooks are essential for field operations, with specific dimensions and material requirements. 2. JL Darling, LLC is the known manufacturer, but the contract was awarded competitively. 3. The contract carries a risk of price increases due to economic price adjustment. 4. Spending falls within the Stationery Product Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The price of $20,488 for 11 days of supply appears reasonable given the specific material and binding requirements for field notebooks. Benchmarking against similar specialized stationery contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for these specialized field notebooks.

Public Impact

Essential supplies for federal field agents and personnel. Ensures operational continuity by providing necessary documentation tools. Supports the stationery manufacturing industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to cost overruns.
Dependence on specific material (Field-Flex Bound) may limit future supplier options.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear product specifications ensure suitability for intended use.

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under the Stationery Product Manufacturing sector, which includes a wide range of paper-based office and field supplies. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized notebooks are not readily available but are generally considered moderate.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded competitively, there is no specific indication of small business participation in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this award through its Federal Acquisition Service, utilizing a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. Oversight is standard for GSA procurements.

Related Government Programs

Stationery Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment
Potential for limited supplier pool due to specific material requirements
Short contract duration (11 days) may not reflect long-term value

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20,248.3 to JL DARLING, LLC. 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

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 $20,248.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the typical cost range for similar field notebooks with comparable durability and features?

The cost range for similar field notebooks can vary significantly based on material, binding, size, and quantity. Basic notebooks might cost a few dollars each, while specialized, durable options like those with Field-Flex binding could range from $10 to $30 per unit, depending on bulk orders and specific features required by the agency.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type for these notebooks?

The primary risk with this contract type is that the price paid by the government could increase over the contract period if the cost of raw materials or labor rises. While intended to protect contractors from unforeseen economic shifts, it exposes the government to potential cost escalations beyond initial projections.

How effectively does this procurement ensure the government receives value for money, given the specific product requirements?

The procurement appears to aim for value by using full and open competition, which should drive competitive pricing. However, the specific requirements for material and binding might limit the number of potential bidders, potentially impacting the level of competition and thus the ultimate value achieved.

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: $20,248

Exercised Options: $20,248

Current Obligation: $20,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline