GSA awards $4.3M contract for shipping supplies, with a 14-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,307 ($4.3K)

Contractor: Connecticut Container Corp.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $308/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOX, SHIPPING

Place of Performance

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

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,306.61 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. for work described as: BOX, SHIPPING Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.3 million for shipping supplies indicates a significant procurement need. 2. The fixed-price structure with economic price adjustment offers some cost certainty while allowing for market fluctuations. 3. A short 14-day duration suggests a need for immediate or short-term supply fulfillment. 4. The award to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. warrants a review of their past performance and capacity for this volume. 5. The use of a BPA Call indicates a pre-negotiated agreement, potentially streamlining the procurement process. 6. The absence of small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements should be noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.3 million for shipping supplies over a 14-day period appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar procurements for bulk shipping materials would be necessary to assess value for money. Without specific details on the quantity and type of supplies, a precise value assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price with economic price adjustment suggests an attempt to balance cost control with market volatility.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this competitive approach generally fosters price discovery and encourages vendors to offer their best terms. The use of a BPA Call suggests that the competition may have occurred at the BPA level, with this award being a call against that agreement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive bids.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring shipping supplies will benefit from the availability of these materials. The contract ensures the delivery of essential packaging and shipping materials. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal logistics operations. The contract supports the workforce of CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. and potentially its supply chain partners.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The short duration of the contract (14 days) may indicate a potential for urgent needs or a gap in longer-term supply planning.
The lack of specific details on the types and quantities of shipping supplies makes it difficult to fully assess the scope and potential for over/under-procurement.
The economic price adjustment clause introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the final cost, depending on market fluctuations.
No small business participation is indicated, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The use of a BPA Call implies a streamlined procurement process for an established need.
The fixed-price element provides a baseline cost control measure.
The contract ensures the availability of critical shipping supplies for federal operations.

Sector Analysis

The market for shipping supplies is broad, encompassing manufacturers and distributors of boxes, bags, pouches, tape, and other packaging materials. This contract falls within the manufacturing sector, specifically related to plastics bag and pouch manufacturing (NAICS 326111). The General Services Administration (GSA) frequently procures such supplies to support various federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing GSA's historical spending on similar items and the average contract values within this specific product category.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include any specific small business set-aside provisions, nor are there explicit requirements for subcontracting with small businesses mentioned. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the supplies through the most competitive means available. The absence of small business involvement in this particular award means no direct benefit to the small business ecosystem through this specific contract, though the prime contractor may utilize small businesses in its own supply chain.

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 compliance and accountability. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Department of Defense Logistics Support
US Postal Service Mail Supplies

Risk Flags

Short Contract Duration
Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Lack of Small Business Participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,306.61 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP.. BOX, SHIPPING

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 $4,306.61.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-20.

What is the historical spending pattern of the General Services Administration on shipping supplies?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a significant procurer of office supplies, including shipping materials, for federal agencies. Historical spending data from sources like FPDS-NG would reveal trends in the volume and value of these procurements. For instance, analyzing spending over the past five to ten years could show fluctuations based on agency needs, economic conditions, and changes in federal logistics strategies. The average contract size, duration, and the prevalence of full and open competition versus other methods would also be evident. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $4.3 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of spending for such supplies.

How does the unit cost of the awarded shipping supplies compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

To assess the unit cost, detailed specifications of the shipping supplies (e.g., size, material, quantity per unit) are required. Without this granular data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, if the contract specifies standard items like boxes or poly mailers, one could benchmark against commercial catalog prices or GSA Schedule pricing for comparable items. If this contract was awarded via a BPA Call, the pricing was likely established during the initial BPA competition. Comparing the per-unit price to other federal contracts for similar items, especially those awarded under full and open competition, would reveal if this award represents good value. A significant deviation from established benchmarks could signal potential overpricing or exceptional value.

What is the track record of CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. with federal contracts, particularly with GSA?

Investigating the track record of CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. involves reviewing their past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or corrective actions. Data from contract databases can show the types of goods or services they have previously provided to the government, the value and duration of those contracts, and the agencies they have served. A history of successful, on-time deliveries and satisfactory performance on similar supply contracts would be a positive indicator. Conversely, a record of contract terminations, significant delays, or negative performance reviews would raise concerns about their capacity and reliability for this $4.3 million award.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for essential supplies?

A short 14-day duration for a $4.3 million contract for shipping supplies presents several potential risks. Firstly, it suggests an urgent or immediate need, which could arise from unforeseen circumstances or poor planning, potentially leading to rushed procurements that may not achieve optimal value. Secondly, it limits the time for delivery and fulfillment, increasing the risk of delays if the contractor faces production or logistical challenges. Thirdly, such short-term contracts may not incentivize the contractor to invest in long-term quality improvements or cost efficiencies. Finally, it necessitates a rapid follow-on procurement process if the need extends beyond the 14 days, potentially leading to continuity gaps or emergency procurements at higher costs.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause impact the final cost and taxpayer exposure?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in this fixed-price contract allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as the cost of raw materials or labor. While it aims to protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and ensure supply continuity, it also introduces uncertainty for the government regarding the final expenditure. Taxpayers are exposed to the risk that the price could increase significantly if market conditions become unfavorable. The specific indices or formulas used for the EPA are crucial; a well-defined EPA tied to objective market indicators can mitigate excessive price hikes, but a poorly structured one could lead to substantial cost overruns compared to a firm fixed price.

What is the significance of this contract within the broader context of GSA's procurement strategy for logistics and supplies?

This $4.3 million contract for shipping supplies is part of GSA's broader mission to provide efficient and cost-effective procurement solutions for federal agencies. GSA often utilizes Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and their associated Calls to streamline the acquisition of commonly needed items like office and shipping supplies. The use of full and open competition for the underlying BPA signifies GSA's commitment to leveraging market forces. The short duration might indicate a specific, time-sensitive requirement or a strategy to manage risk by awarding smaller, more frequent contracts. Analyzing this award in conjunction with GSA's overall spending on logistics and operational support materials provides insight into their procurement priorities and effectiveness in meeting agency demands.

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: $4,307

Exercised Options: $4,307

Current Obligation: $4,307

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A000D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline