GSA awards $11,719 for specialized plater's brushes to National Industries for the Blind, a sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,719 ($11.7K)
Contractor: National Industries for the Blind
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-04-14
Contract Duration: 7 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BRUSH,PLATER'S HAND,COPPER-BERYLLIUM FILLER,CURVED HANDLE PLATER'S BRUSH,OVERALL LENGTH:13-1/2INCH,BRUSH PART LENGTH:5 TO 6 INCHES. U/I BX (12 EA PER BX)
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $11,719.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BRUSH,PLATER'S HAND,COPPER-BERYLLIUM FILLER,CURVED HANDLE PLATER'S BRUSH,OVERALL LENGTH:13-1/2INCH,BRUSH PART LENGTH:5 TO 6 INCHES. U/I BX (12 EA PER BX) Key points: 1. Specialized plater's brushes are critical for specific industrial processes. 2. The contract is awarded to a single source, limiting competitive pricing. 3. Potential risk of higher costs due to lack of competition. 4. The sector is industrial supplies and equipment, often with niche manufacturers.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is not benchmarked against similar contracts due to the sole-source nature. The listed price of $11,719.40 for 12 units (approximately $976.62 per box) needs further comparison with custom or specialized tool pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This method bypasses competitive bidding, potentially leading to less favorable pricing for the government and taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds may be used inefficiently due to the absence of competitive price discovery.
Public Impact
Procurement of specialized tools for industrial maintenance. Support for a specific manufacturer serving a niche market. Potential for higher costs impacting agency budgets. Limited transparency on pricing due to sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of price benchmark data.
- Short delivery window may necessitate higher costs.
Positive Signals
- Supports a specific industry need.
- Contract awarded to a known entity.
Sector Analysis
The industrial supplies sector includes a wide range of equipment. Specialized tools like these brushes often have limited manufacturers, sometimes justifying sole-source awards, but requiring careful price scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which is not typically categorized as a small business. Analysis of small business participation is not applicable here.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this contract. Oversight should focus on the justification for the sole-source award and the reasonableness of the price.
Related Government Programs
- Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited price transparency
- No small business participation noted
Tags
service-establishment-equipment-and-supp, general-services-administration, va, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $11,719.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BRUSH,PLATER'S HAND,COPPER-BERYLLIUM FILLER,CURVED HANDLE PLATER'S BRUSH,OVERALL LENGTH:13-1/2INCH,BRUSH PART LENGTH:5 TO 6 INCHES. U/I BX (12 EA PER BX)
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 $11,719.4.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-14.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves a unique capability or requirement that only one source can fulfill. For specialized equipment like custom brushes, it might be due to proprietary design, specific material requirements, or a limited number of manufacturers possessing the necessary expertise and tooling. A thorough review of the justification documentation is crucial to ensure it is valid and not simply a matter of convenience.
How can the government ensure fair pricing without competition for this sole-source contract?
To ensure fair pricing for sole-source contracts, the government should conduct robust price analysis. This involves comparing the proposed price to historical prices paid for similar items, using independent cost estimates, or referencing commercial price lists if available. For highly specialized items, benchmarking against custom fabrication costs or consulting with industry experts can help validate the price reasonableness and protect taxpayer interests.
What is the long-term impact of relying on sole-source contracts for specialized equipment?
Sole-source contracts can lead to increased costs over time as the awarded vendor faces no competitive pressure to reduce prices. It can also stifle innovation and limit the availability of alternative solutions. Agencies should periodically reassess the need for sole-source procurement and explore opportunities to foster competition or develop alternative sources to ensure long-term cost-effectiveness and access to best-value solutions.
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: $11,719
Exercised Options: $11,719
Current Obligation: $11,719
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
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-04-14
Potential End Date: 2026-04-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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