GSA awards $14.5M contract for plastic bags and pouches to Connecticut Container Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,504 ($14.5K)

Contractor: Connecticut Container Corp.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: SLEEVE, BOX: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH HAVEN, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06473

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14,504.17 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP. for work described as: SLEEVE, BOX: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized packaging solutions. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding environment for this type of product. 3. Contract duration of 14 days is unusually short, raising questions about the scope and urgency. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces potential for cost fluctuations. 5. The award to Connecticut Container Corp. warrants a review of their past performance and capacity. 6. NAICS code 326111 indicates a focus on the plastics bag and pouch manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.5 million for a 14-day duration appears high on a per-day basis. Without specific details on the quantity and type of bags and pouches, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, the fixed-price with economic price adjustment clause introduces a risk of cost escalation, which needs careful monitoring to ensure value for money. The pricing structure should be benchmarked against industry standards for similar specialized packaging materials.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition and its impact on the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its expenditure.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring specialized plastic bags and pouches for various operational needs. Services delivered include the manufacturing and supply of plastic bags and pouches. The geographic impact is primarily within Connecticut, where the contractor is based, but the supplies will be distributed to federal entities nationwide. Workforce implications may include job creation or maintenance within Connecticut's manufacturing sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The short contract duration (14 days) raises concerns about the feasibility of fulfilling the order and potential for rushed production impacting quality.
The Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) clause introduces uncertainty regarding the final cost to taxpayers.
Lack of detailed product specifications in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the true value and appropriateness of the award.
The contractor's capacity to handle a $14.5 million order within such a short timeframe needs verification.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor is based in Connecticut, potentially supporting regional economic activity.
The contract addresses a specific manufacturing need within the federal supply chain.

Sector Analysis

The plastics bag and pouch manufacturing industry (NAICS 326111) is a significant segment of the broader plastics product manufacturing sector. This contract falls within the specialized packaging sub-sector, which serves diverse industries including government, logistics, and consumer goods. Federal spending in this area is often driven by requirements for secure, durable, and specialized containment solutions. Benchmarking this contract's value would require detailed specifications of the products, but the overall award size suggests a substantial procurement.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, and there are no explicit subcontracting opportunities for small businesses mandated by this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily 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 is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
Procurements for packaging materials
General Services Administration (GSA) contracts
Manufacturing and industrial supplies

Risk Flags

Short contract duration
Economic Price Adjustment clause
Lack of detailed product specifications
Potential for high per-day cost

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14,504.17 to CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP.. SLEEVE, BOX: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONNECTICUT CONTAINER CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14,504.17.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the specific nature and quantity of the plastic bags and pouches being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature or quantity of the plastic bags and pouches. The description 'SLEEVE, BOX: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL' indicates that detailed specifications are available in a separate document. Without these details, it is impossible to ascertain the complexity, material composition, or intended use of the items, which are crucial for a thorough value assessment. This lack of transparency in the summary data hinders a complete understanding of the procurement's scope and justification.

How does the unit cost of these bags and pouches compare to market rates for similar items?

A precise unit cost comparison is not possible without knowing the specific product details (size, material, features) and the quantity ordered. The total award of $14.5 million over a 14-day period suggests a high daily expenditure. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable federal or commercial contracts for similar specialized plastic packaging. Factors like material thickness, barrier properties, printing, and any special certifications would significantly influence market rates. The economic price adjustment clause also adds complexity to a straightforward cost comparison.

What is Connecticut Container Corp.'s track record with similar federal contracts, particularly regarding performance and delivery?

Information regarding Connecticut Container Corp.'s specific track record with similar federal contracts is not detailed in the provided summary. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any history of contract modifications, delivery delays, or quality issues on previous GSA or other federal awards. Understanding their experience with large-volume, time-sensitive procurements is essential to gauge their capability to meet the demands of this $14.5 million, 14-day contract.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FPEPA) contract type for this procurement?

The FPEPA contract type introduces a risk of cost escalation for the government. While it aims to protect the contractor from unforeseen increases in material or labor costs, it can lead to the final price exceeding initial estimates if economic conditions fluctuate unfavorably. For taxpayers, this means the total expenditure could be higher than the initial $14.5 million if inflation or other economic factors drive up the cost of raw materials or production. Effective oversight is needed to ensure that any price adjustments are justified and align with the contract's economic price index triggers.

Given the short 14-day duration, what is the expected delivery timeline and urgency of these plastic bags and pouches?

The extremely short 14-day contract duration (from award to potential end date) suggests a high degree of urgency for the required plastic bags and pouches. This could indicate a critical operational need, an emergency requirement, or a need to replenish rapidly depleting stock. The rapid turnaround time raises questions about the contractor's production capacity and logistical capabilities to manufacture and deliver the specified items within such a compressed window without compromising quality or incurring excessive expedited shipping costs.

How does the $14.5 million award compare to historical federal spending on plastic bag and pouch manufacturing?

Without specific product details, comparing the $14.5 million award to historical federal spending on plastic bag and pouch manufacturing is challenging. However, this figure represents a substantial single award. To provide context, one would need to analyze historical spending data for NAICS code 326111 or similar codes, looking at the average contract size, frequency of awards, and major agencies procuring these items. This contract's value suggests it might be for a large quantity, specialized type, or a combination of factors, potentially exceeding typical individual contract values in this category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONTAINERS/PACKAGING/PACKING SUPPL

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: 455 SACKETT POINT RD, NORTH HAVEN, CT, 06473

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,504

Exercised Options: $14,504

Current Obligation: $14,504

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A000D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline