GSA awards $7.9M contract for toilet paper to National Industries for the Blind, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,904 ($7.9K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER, TOILET: - 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 $7,904.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single source, limiting price competition. 2. Short contract duration (7 days) suggests an urgent or specific need. 3. The contract type, Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, can lead to cost increases. 4. Lack of detailed justification for sole-source award warrants scrutiny. 5. Spending on essential supplies like toilet paper is a recurring need for government agencies. 6. The awardee's mission to employ individuals with blindness is a positive social impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $7,904.40 for a 7-day delivery order of toilet paper appears high for such a short period and limited quantity. Without a detailed breakdown of the quantity and specific product, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates. However, the lack of competition and the potential for price adjustments under the contract type raise concerns about achieving optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The justification for this approach is not provided in the available data. Sole-source awards typically result in higher prices and reduced innovation compared to full and open competition, as there is no market pressure to drive down costs or improve offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding, potentially leading to less efficient use of funds for essential supplies.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring essential office supplies, specifically toilet paper, will benefit from this contract. The services delivered are the provision of toilet paper, a basic necessity for government facilities. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as the General Services Administration (GSA) procures for various federal agencies. This contract supports the employment of individuals with blindness through the National Industries for the Blind.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding may lead to inflated prices.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces uncertainty in final cost.
Limited contract duration raises questions about long-term supply strategy.
Absence of detailed product specifications makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Supports the mission of National Industries for the Blind, providing employment for individuals with blindness.
Ensures a supply of essential goods for federal operations.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery stores sector (NAICS 453210) is a mature market with numerous suppliers. Federal agencies are significant consumers of office supplies, with GSA acting as a primary procurement channel. This contract for toilet paper falls under the broader category of facilities maintenance and operational supplies, a consistent area of government spending. Benchmarking against similar contracts for bulk paper products would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation is not a primary focus for this specific award, as it is a sole-source contract with National Industries for the Blind. While National Industries for the Blind is a large organization, its specific structure and subcontracting practices would need further investigation to determine any impact on the broader small business ecosystem. Typically, sole-source awards to large entities do not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides or subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would 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 regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific product details would enhance accountability. The Inspector General of GSA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal Facilities Maintenance
Mandatory Source Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition
Uncertainty of final cost due to EPA clause

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,904.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. PAPER, TOILET: - 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 $7,904.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-15.

What specific quantity and type of toilet paper was procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or type of toilet paper. It only indicates 'PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.' Without access to the attached document, a precise analysis of the unit cost and value for money is not possible. This lack of detail is a significant limitation in assessing the fairness of the price and the appropriateness of the award.

What is the historical spending pattern for toilet paper by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for toilet paper by the GSA is not provided in this specific contract award notice. To establish a pattern, one would need to analyze past GSA contracts for similar paper products, noting quantities, pricing, contract types, and awardees over several fiscal years. This would help determine if this $7,904.40 award for a short duration is an anomaly or part of a consistent procurement strategy. Understanding historical spending can reveal trends in pricing, supplier relationships, and the overall cost efficiency of procuring such essential items.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis is not detailed in the provided information, which only states 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, urgent requirements, or specific statutory mandates. Without the official justification document, it is impossible to verify the necessity of bypassing the competitive bidding process, which is generally preferred to ensure fair pricing and maximize value for taxpayers.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause impact the final cost of this contract?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for an increase (or decrease) in the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor or material costs. For this contract, the EPA clause means the final price paid for the toilet paper could be higher than the initial fixed price if the relevant economic indicators rise during the contract period. This introduces cost uncertainty for the government and could potentially lead to higher overall spending than initially budgeted, especially if market prices for paper products increase significantly.

What is the typical contract duration for procuring essential office supplies like toilet paper through GSA?

The typical contract duration for procuring essential office supplies like toilet paper through GSA can vary significantly. While this specific delivery order has a very short duration of 7 days (April 8, 2026, to April 15, 2026), indicating an immediate or short-term need, GSA often awards longer-term Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts or schedule orders that can span several years. These longer contracts allow for more predictable supply chains and potentially better pricing through bulk purchasing over time. The short duration here suggests a specific, time-sensitive requirement rather than a standard, ongoing supply arrangement.

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: $7,904

Exercised Options: $7,904

Current Obligation: $7,904

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