GSA awards $48K for hand sanitizer, highlighting a 7-day delivery order for essential supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,355 ($48.4K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-04

End Date: 2026-04-11

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HAND SANITIZER: INSTANT HAND SANITIZER IS NON-TOXIC, DYE-FREE AND HYPOALLERGIC. CONTAINS ETHYL ALCOHOL, ALOE AND MOISTURIZERS. TWELVE (12) EACH TWELVE (12) OUNCE PUMP BOTTLES PER BOX. TEMPORARY PE PN 3143-0145 & GOJ369112CT.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $48,355 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: HAND SANITIZER: INSTANT HAND SANITIZER IS NON-TOXIC, DYE-FREE AND HYPOALLERGIC. CONTAINS ETHYL ALCOHOL, ALOE AND MOISTURIZERS. TWELVE (12) EACH TWELVE (12) OUNCE PUMP BOTTLES PER BOX. TEMPORARY PE PN 3143-0145 & GOJ369112CT. Key points: 1. This contract focuses on the procurement of essential hygiene supplies, specifically hand sanitizer. 2. The short duration of the delivery order (7 days) suggests an urgent or immediate need. 3. The supplier, National Industries for the Blind, indicates a potential focus on supporting specific workforce initiatives. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The procurement falls under the 'Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers' NAICS code, indicating a focus on distribution and supply chain services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded amount of $48,355 for hand sanitizer appears to be for a relatively small quantity, given the unit packaging described (12 bottles per box). Without knowing the exact quantity of boxes or the specific formulation of the hand sanitizer, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the short delivery window might justify a slightly higher price for expedited service. Further benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule contracts for bulk hand sanitizer would be necessary for a more precise valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, being listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests that the procurement may have been conducted under specific exceptions to full and open competition, such as a sole-source award to a particular vendor or a requirement met through a specific program. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity to solicit multiple bids and potentially achieve a lower price through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the benefit of competitive pricing, as the government did not explore alternative offers that could have potentially yielded cost savings.

Public Impact

Federal employees and personnel within facilities managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) are the primary beneficiaries, ensuring access to essential hygiene products. The service delivered is the provision of non-toxic, dye-free, hypoallergenic hand sanitizer in convenient pump bottles. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the regions served by the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, primarily Virginia. The contract supports the operational needs of federal agencies by ensuring the availability of critical supplies for health and safety.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Limited contract duration (7 days) may indicate reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Specific details on the quantity and formulation of hand sanitizer are not readily available for a full value assessment.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of essential hygiene products for federal personnel.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget certainty.
Procurement through GSA leverages established supply chains for federal agencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Wholesale Trade' sector, specifically 'Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers'. This segment of the market involves the distribution of a wide range of supplies, including health and hygiene products, to various institutional and government clients. The market is characterized by numerous distributors, with GSA Schedules often serving as a primary contracting vehicle for federal agencies seeking such goods. Benchmarking would involve comparing pricing for similar bulk hand sanitizer purchases through GSA Schedules or other federal contract vehicles.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is marked as false (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor, National Industries for the Blind, has its own small business subcontracting program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order under an existing contract vehicle (likely a GSA Schedule), the terms and conditions are pre-negotiated. Accountability is ensured through the Firm Fixed Price structure, obligating the contractor to deliver the specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data, though detailed justifications for sole-source awards are not always immediately apparent.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules
Federal Supply Schedules
Health and Hygiene Supplies Procurement
Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Limited Transparency on Justification for Sole Source
Potential for Above-Market Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $48,355 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. HAND SANITIZER: INSTANT HAND SANITIZER IS NON-TOXIC, DYE-FREE AND HYPOALLERGIC. CONTAINS ETHYL ALCOHOL, ALOE AND MOISTURIZERS. TWELVE (12) EACH TWELVE (12) OUNCE PUMP BOTTLES PER BOX. TEMPORARY PE PN 3143-0145 & GOJ369112CT.

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 $48,355.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-04. End: 2026-04-11.

What is the specific quantity of hand sanitizer being procured under this delivery order?

The provided data specifies the packaging as 'TWELVE (12) EACH TWELVE (12) OUNCE PUMP BOTTLES PER BOX.' However, the total number of boxes or the total volume of hand sanitizer being purchased is not explicitly stated in the data. The total award amount is $48,355. To determine the quantity, one would need to divide the total award amount by the price per box or per ounce, which requires knowing the unit price. Without this information, the exact quantity remains unknown, making it difficult to assess the value proposition on a per-unit basis.

What is the justification for this contract being 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'?

The data explicitly states the contract type as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This typically indicates a sole-source award or a procurement under specific statutory exceptions to full and open competition. Common reasons include the unique capability of a single contractor, urgent and compelling needs where competition is not feasible, or specific set-aside programs (though this contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside). Without further documentation from the GSA, the precise justification remains unclear. This lack of competition means that the government did not solicit bids from multiple sources, potentially missing out on cost savings or a wider range of solutions.

How does the price of this hand sanitizer compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

A direct price comparison is challenging with the provided data. We know the total award is $48,355 for hand sanitizer packaged in 12 oz bottles, with 12 bottles per box. However, the number of boxes is not specified, nor is the price per box or per ounce. To benchmark, one would need to calculate the effective price per ounce or per bottle and compare it to prices available through other GSA Schedules, other government contracts, or commercial price lists for similar non-toxic, ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizers. The 'not available for competition' status also suggests that competitive pricing may not have been achieved.

What is the significance of the contractor, National Industries for the Blind?

The contractor is the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). NIB is a major nonprofit agency that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, which provides employment opportunities for people who are blind. Federal agencies are often directed to purchase certain products and services from NIB-associated agencies. While this contract is listed as 'not available for competition,' it aligns with NIB's mission to create jobs for individuals who are blind. The procurement of hand sanitizer may be one of the product lines NIB facilitates through its network of associated agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source or limited competition award for hand sanitizer?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source or limited competition award for hand sanitizer is the potential for paying a higher price than could be achieved through full and open competition. Without multiple bids, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing. Additionally, there's a risk of limited product availability or choice if the sole source cannot meet demand or offers a less suitable product. For essential items like hand sanitizer, ensuring a robust and competitive supply chain is crucial for consistent availability and cost-effectiveness, which is potentially compromised in non-competitive scenarios.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,355

Exercised Options: $48,355

Current Obligation: $48,355

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline