GSA awards $8,079 for FIST Kits, including stationery and writing supplies, under a BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,079 ($8.1K)
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: $734/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-KIT
Place of Performance
Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $8,078.9 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-KIT Key points: 1. The contract is for FIST Kits, containing essential office supplies like notebooks and pens. 2. J.L. Darling, LLC is the sole awardee, indicating potential limited competition. 3. The contract duration is 11 days, suggesting a short-term or urgent need. 4. The award falls under the Stationery Product Manufacturing NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $8,078.90 for a FIST Kit seems high for the listed components. Benchmarking against similar office supply contracts is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Although awarded under a BPA Call, the 'full and open competition' designation suggests the underlying BPA allowed for broad competition. However, the specific award to JL Darling, LLC may not reflect the most competitive pricing if other vendors on the BPA were not actively solicited or did not bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential office supplies. The value assessment will determine the efficiency of this spending.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal personnel. Supports the stationery manufacturing sector. Procurement through GSA aims for efficient government purchasing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 70 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for overpayment given the itemized list and value.
- Limited duration may indicate a lack of strategic planning.
Positive Signals
- Procurement through established GSA channels.
- Clear itemization of kit contents.
Sector Analysis
This purchase falls within the broader office supplies and stationery manufacturing sector. Spending benchmarks for similar kits or bulk office supply orders would provide context for the $8,078.90 award.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is JL Darling, LLC. Further analysis is needed to determine if this is a small business and if small business participation was a factor in the procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which typically has established oversight mechanisms for contract awards and vendor performance.
Related Government Programs
- Stationery Product Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- High per-unit cost potential.
- Limited contract duration.
- Lack of detailed justification for awardee selection.
- Need for price benchmarking.
Tags
stationery-product-manufacturing, general-services-administration, wa, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $8,078.9 to JL DARLING, LLC. FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-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 $8,078.9.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-18.
What is the justification for the specific value of the FIST Kit, and how does it compare to market rates for similar assembled kits?
The justification for the $8,078.90 value requires detailed cost breakdown from the vendor and comparison with market data for pre-assembled kits or individual component costs. Without this, it's difficult to ascertain if the price reflects fair market value or if there's an opportunity for cost savings through competitive bidding on the specific kit contents.
Given the 'full and open competition' designation, why was the award made to a single vendor, and what was the process for ensuring competitive pricing?
While the underlying BPA may have been competed full and open, the specific award to JL Darling, LLC warrants scrutiny. The process should detail if multiple vendors on the BPA were solicited for this specific call order and if their quotes were evaluated. A single award, even from a competitively established BPA, can sometimes indicate a lack of active price discovery for that particular requirement.
What is the intended use and impact of these FIST Kits, and how does their provision contribute to overall federal agency effectiveness?
FIST Kits, containing stationery and writing supplies, are likely intended for field operations, training, or general office use. Their provision ensures personnel have necessary tools for documentation, communication, and task completion. The effectiveness hinges on the quality and appropriateness of the supplies provided, directly impacting the ability of federal employees to perform their duties efficiently.
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: $8,079
Exercised Options: $8,079
Current Obligation: $8,079
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-04-18
Potential End Date: 2026-04-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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