GSA Awards $4.4M Contract for Notebook Cover Kits to JL Darling, LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,435 ($4.4K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-18

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $403/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOTEBOOK COVER KIT,

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,435 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: NOTEBOOK COVER KIT, Key points: 1. The contract is for notebook cover kits, a niche product within stationery manufacturing. 2. JL Darling, LLC, a single supplier, secured the award. 3. The contract was awarded via a BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement. 4. The fixed-price contract includes economic price adjustment, potentially impacting final cost. 5. The award value is $4.4 million over an 11-day period.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award value of $4.4 million for an 11-day period seems high for stationery products. Benchmarking against similar contracts for office supplies or specialized kits is needed to assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors could have bid. However, the use of a BPA Call might limit the pool of active bidders, potentially affecting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is $4.4 million for the specified period, with potential adjustments due to economic price escalation.

Public Impact

Government employees will receive notebook cover kits, impacting daily operations and record-keeping. The procurement supports the stationery product manufacturing sector. The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing relationship or framework agreement, potentially streamlining delivery. The economic price adjustment clause warrants monitoring for potential cost overruns.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High award value for a short duration.
Potential for price increases due to economic adjustment.
Limited visibility into the specific competition within the BPA Call.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear product description and end date.
Fixed price contract structure provides some cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The stationery product manufacturing sector is diverse, ranging from mass-produced office supplies to specialized items. This contract falls into the latter category, with a significant award value for a short duration, suggesting a specific need or bulk order.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the awardee, JL Darling, LLC, is not a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors or in the initial bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this procurement. Oversight would involve ensuring the BPA Call process was followed correctly and that the economic price adjustment is applied fairly according to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Stationery Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High cost relative to contract duration.
Potential for cost escalation via EPA.
Limited transparency on competition within BPA Call.
Awardee is not a small business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,435 to JL DARLING, LLC. NOTEBOOK COVER KIT,

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 $4,435.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-18.

What specific features or quantities justify the $4.4 million cost for an 11-day notebook cover kit contract?

The high cost for a short-term contract suggests either a very large quantity of kits required for a specific event or deployment, or that the kits themselves are highly specialized with premium materials or integrated technology. Without detailed specifications, it's difficult to ascertain the value proposition. Further inquiry into the product's unique selling points and the exact number of units procured is necessary.

What are the potential risks associated with the economic price adjustment clause in this contract?

The primary risk of an economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is that the final cost to the government could exceed the initial estimated value if market prices for raw materials or labor increase significantly during the contract period. This can lead to budget overruns and reduced purchasing power. Careful monitoring of market indices and supplier cost justifications is crucial to mitigate this risk.

How effectively does the BPA Call mechanism ensure competitive pricing for specialized items like these notebook cover kits?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call can be effective for streamlining the procurement of recurring needs. However, its effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on how the underlying BPA was established and whether multiple vendors were actively solicited for this specific call. If the BPA itself was not competitively established or if this call was directed to a single vendor without further competition, price discovery might be limited.

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: $4,435

Exercised Options: $4,435

Current Obligation: $4,435

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline