GSA awards $6,317 contract for waste receptacles to National Industries for the Blind, a sole-source acquisition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,317 ($6.3K)

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: $902/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,317.2 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a specific, limited need. 2. The acquisition method is 'Not Available for Competition,' indicating potential limitations in market availability or specific requirements. 3. The contract duration is very short (7 days), implying an immediate or short-term need. 4. The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, aligns with a mission-oriented procurement, potentially prioritizing social impact. 5. The fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment offers some cost certainty while allowing for market fluctuations. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this contract did not meet criteria for such designations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6,317.20 is minimal in the context of federal procurement. Benchmarking the value-for-money is challenging without specific details on the type and quantity of waste receptacles. However, given the awardee's mission, the price may reflect a balance between cost and social impact rather than pure market competition. The short duration suggests a tactical purchase rather than a strategic investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, as indicated by 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION.' This means that only one vendor was solicited, likely due to specific capabilities, existing relationships, or statutory requirements. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, and the government accepted the offered price without competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitive procurements, as the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price is reduced.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA), which will receive the waste receptacles. The services delivered are the provision of specific types of waste receptacles. The geographic impact is limited to the delivery location within Missouri, as indicated by 'SN: MISSOURI'. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving manufacturing and delivery personnel for the awarded contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases cost to taxpayers.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases over the contract term.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports a mission-driven organization.
Fixed-price element provides a baseline cost certainty.
Clear delivery dates (April 7-14, 2026) ensure timely fulfillment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of office supplies and general supplies procurement. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 453210, 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores,' suggests the type of goods procured. Federal spending in this category is substantial, encompassing a wide range of items necessary for government operations. This specific award is a very small component of that overall spending.

Small Business Impact

The contract explicitly states 'SB: false,' indicating it was not set aside for small businesses. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this award has no direct positive or negative impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. As a small-value, short-duration contract, it likely undergoes standard administrative oversight rather than intensive, specialized review. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed public documentation beyond the award notice.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may result in higher costs.
Lack of detailed product specifications hinders value assessment.
Short contract duration suggests potential for reactive procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,317.2 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

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 $6,317.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-14.

What specific types of waste receptacles are being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the item as 'BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.' Without access to the attached document, the specific types, sizes, materials, and quantities of waste receptacles remain unknown. This lack of detail makes it difficult to assess the appropriateness of the price or the suitability of the product for the intended use. Federal agencies typically procure a variety of receptacles, from standard office bins to specialized recycling containers, each with different cost structures.

Why was this contract deemed 'Not Available for Competition'?

The designation 'Not Available for Competition' (often referred to as sole-source) implies that only one responsible source was found to be capable of providing the required goods or services. This could be due to several reasons, such as unique technical capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling needs where only one vendor can respond in time, or specific statutory requirements that mandate awarding to a particular entity. For this specific contract, the awardee, National Industries for the Blind, suggests a potential mandate or preference for procuring through organizations that employ individuals with disabilities, which can be a basis for sole-source justification under certain federal regulations.

How does the price compare to similar procurements or market rates?

Directly comparing the price of $6,317.20 for waste receptacles is challenging without knowing the exact quantity and specifications. However, the value is relatively low for a federal contract. If this is for a bulk purchase, the per-unit cost might be high. If it's for a small quantity of specialized receptacles, the price might be reasonable. Given the sole-source nature and the awardee's mission, the price may not strictly reflect competitive market rates but rather a negotiated price that balances cost with social objectives. Further analysis would require detailed product specifications and quantities.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind in fulfilling federal contracts?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a major nonprofit agency that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, which directs federal agencies to purchase products and services from non-profit organizations employing people who are blind. NIB and its associated agencies have a long history of fulfilling federal contracts across various categories, including supplies and services. While specific performance details for this particular $6,317.20 contract are not available, NIB's overall track record is generally considered reliable within the framework of the JWOD program. Agencies typically rely on NIB's established network and compliance mechanisms.

What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for paying a non-competitive price, which could be higher than if the contract were competed. Without competition, there is less pressure on the contractor to minimize costs. Additionally, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source procurements can obscure potential inefficiencies or suboptimal product choices. The short duration and specific item also suggest a potentially reactive procurement, which might indicate a lack of proactive planning for essential supplies, leading to last-minute awards.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for office supplies by the GSA?

This contract represents an extremely small fraction of the GSA's overall spending on office supplies and related items. GSA manages a vast array of contracts, including large-scale Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) agreements, that cover a wide range of office products. Spending on items like waste receptacles is distributed across numerous contracts and delivery orders, often through competitive processes. This particular award, being sole-source and for a minimal amount, is an outlier in terms of procurement method and scale compared to the bulk of GSA's office supply procurements, which aim for maximum competition and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,317

Exercised Options: $6,317

Current Obligation: $6,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline