GSA awards $14.4M contract for nitrile gloves to National Industries for the Blind, with a 7-day delivery window

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,408 ($14.4K)

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: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GLOVES,DISPOSABLE,NITRILE:AMBIDEXTROUS,POWDER- FREE,LATEX-FREE,INDUSTRIAL GRADE,NITRILE GLOVES FOR GENERAL PURPOSE USE. NITRILE SHALL BE SOFT FORMULATION ALLOWS GLOVES TO EASILY CONFORM TO HAND. 4 MILS THICK,MIN. EX-LARGE, 9 1/2 IN, DISPENSER BOX U/I

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14,408 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: GLOVES,DISPOSABLE,NITRILE:AMBIDEXTROUS,POWDER- FREE,LATEX-FREE,INDUSTRIAL GRADE,NITRILE GLOVES FOR GENERAL PURPOSE USE. NITRILE SHALL BE SOFT FORMULATION ALLOWS GLOVES TO EASILY CONFORM TO HAND. 4 MILS THICK,MIN. EX-LARGE, 9 1/2 IN, DISPENSER BOX U/I Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential disposable nitrile gloves, a high-volume consumable. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, with the award being a non-competitive delivery order. 3. The short delivery window suggests an urgent or immediate need for these supplies. 4. The contract is a firm fixed-price type, providing cost certainty for the government. 5. The supplier, National Industries for the Blind, has a specific mission-oriented purpose. 6. The contract value is substantial for a short-term supply of gloves.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific per-unit pricing or comparison to similar recent GSA solicitations for industrial-grade nitrile gloves. The total award amount of $14.4 million for a 7-day delivery period suggests a significant volume of gloves. However, the lack of competitive bidding makes it difficult to assess if this represents optimal value for money. Further analysis would require detailed unit cost data and comparison against market rates for similar industrial-grade gloves.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a delivery order under an existing contract, and the provided data indicates it was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests a sole-source or limited competition scenario, potentially due to specific requirements or existing agreements. The lack of open competition means that price discovery through market forces was not fully utilized, which could impact the final price paid by the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This can lead to higher costs compared to what might be achieved in an open market environment.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring disposable nitrile gloves for general-purpose use will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the supply of essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for government personnel. The primary beneficiary is the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which manages the procurement. The geographic impact is national, as GSA serves federal agencies across the United States. Workforce implications are indirect, primarily supporting the operational needs of federal employees who use these gloves.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about potential overpayment.
Short delivery window may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Dependence on a single source for a critical supply item can pose a risk.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports a mission-driven organization.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
GSA's established procurement processes aim to ensure timely delivery.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of disposable nitrile gloves falls within the broader category of medical and industrial supplies. The market for these items is large and competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. GSA's role is to leverage its purchasing power to secure these essential supplies for federal agencies. This contract represents a specific instance of GSA fulfilling its mandate to provide necessary equipment and supplies, likely at a scale that aims for efficiency, though the non-competitive nature here limits direct comparison to broader market benchmarks.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside provisions were not applicable ('sb': false) for this specific contract. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, as it was not structured to prioritize or include small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would typically include contract administration, performance monitoring, and ensuring compliance with the terms of the delivery order. Transparency is generally maintained through GSA's public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Medical Supplies Procurement
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Contracts
Industrial Supplies Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Short delivery window
Lack of detailed performance metrics provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14,408 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. GLOVES,DISPOSABLE,NITRILE:AMBIDEXTROUS,POWDER- FREE,LATEX-FREE,INDUSTRIAL GRADE,NITRILE GLOVES FOR GENERAL PURPOSE USE. NITRILE SHALL BE SOFT FORMULATION ALLOWS GLOVES TO EASILY CONFORM TO HAND. 4 MILS THICK,MIN. EX-LARGE, 9 1/2 IN, DISPENSER BOX U/I

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 $14,408.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the historical spending pattern for similar disposable nitrile gloves by the GSA?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar disposable nitrile gloves by the GSA is crucial for context. While this specific award is for $14.4 million over 7 days, understanding past procurements of comparable items (e.g., nitrile gloves, industrial grade, specific thicknesses) can reveal trends in pricing, volume, and supplier base. For instance, if previous competitive bids for similar quantities averaged significantly lower per-unit costs, it would raise questions about the value proposition of this current sole-source award. Conversely, if historical data shows similar pricing for non-competitive or emergency procurements, it might suggest the current price is within an expected range under such circumstances. Without access to GSA's historical contract databases or specific spending reports on nitrile gloves, a precise historical comparison is not possible, but such data would be essential for a comprehensive value assessment.

How does the unit cost of these nitrile gloves compare to market rates for industrial-grade gloves?

Determining the precise unit cost requires knowing the total number of gloves procured under this $14.4 million contract. Assuming a standard quantity per box (e.g., 100 gloves) and a typical number of boxes within the total order, we could calculate a per-glove or per-box cost. This calculated unit cost would then need to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for industrial-grade, powder-free, latex-free nitrile gloves of similar thickness (4 mils) and size (XL). Market research, including checking prices from major medical supply distributors and industrial safety equipment vendors, would be necessary. Given this is a sole-source award, there's a risk that the unit cost may be higher than what could be achieved through competitive bidding, especially if the supplier is not operating under significant market pressure.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for essential supplies like nitrile gloves?

Sole-source awards for essential supplies like nitrile gloves carry several inherent risks. Firstly, the lack of competition can lead to inflated prices, as the government does not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms of a competitive bidding process. This means taxpayers might be paying more than necessary. Secondly, it can reduce the incentive for the sole-source provider to maintain high quality or efficient delivery standards, as there are no immediate alternatives for the contracting agency. Thirdly, it creates a dependency on a single supplier, which can be problematic if that supplier faces production issues, supply chain disruptions, or decides to increase prices significantly in future contract renewals. For critical items like PPE, this dependency can pose a risk to operational continuity if the supply is interrupted.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind in fulfilling government contracts for medical or industrial supplies?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a recognized nonprofit organization that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, which prioritizes federal contracts for the blind. Their primary mission is to create employment opportunities for people who are blind. While NIB and its associated agencies have a long history of fulfilling government contracts, their specific track record in supplying industrial-grade nitrile gloves needs to be assessed. This involves reviewing past performance evaluations, on-time delivery rates, and quality compliance for similar product categories. Given their mission, they often partner with manufacturers. Understanding the performance of the specific manufacturing partner and NIB's oversight of that partnership would be key to evaluating their reliability for this particular contract.

How does the 7-day delivery window impact the overall cost and risk of this contract?

The extremely short 7-day delivery window for this $14.4 million contract significantly impacts both cost and risk. To meet such a tight deadline, the supplier likely incurs higher logistical costs, potentially including expedited shipping, warehousing, and overtime labor for order fulfillment. These increased costs may be passed on to the government, contributing to a higher overall price. From a risk perspective, a short window increases the likelihood of delivery delays or quality issues if the supplier is rushed. It also suggests that this procurement might be addressing an immediate, potentially unforeseen, demand or a critical shortage, rather than a planned, routine replenishment. This urgency can sometimes lead to less favorable contract terms and pricing due to the government's limited negotiation leverage.

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: $14,408

Exercised Options: $14,408

Current Obligation: $14,408

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