GSA Awards $3,505 Contract for Ball-Point Pens to Noble Supply & Logistics Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,506 ($3.5K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $584/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PEN, BALL-POINT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,505.56 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: PEN, BALL-POINT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC for ball-point pens. 2. The contract falls under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition', indicating broad market access. 4. The sector is Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing, NAICS 339940.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is $3,505.56 for a short duration. Without specific unit pricing or comparison data, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the fixed-price structure with economic price adjustment suggests an attempt to manage cost fluctuations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', suggesting multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to seek the best value from a wide range of suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value. The use of full and open competition aims to ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds by fostering a competitive bidding environment.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal agencies. Supports market competition within the office supply manufacturing sector. Provides a mechanism for price adjustments to account for market volatility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 100 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed unit cost data for precise value assessment.
Short contract duration may limit long-term price stability.
Economic price adjustment clause requires monitoring for potential cost increases.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting market access.
Managed by GSA, a central procurement authority.
Fixed price contract type provides some cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies sector, including pens, is a mature market with numerous suppliers. Spending benchmarks for such items are typically low per unit, with significant volume driving overall contract values. This contract appears to be a routine procurement for a small quantity.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were primary awardees or targeted. The contract value is relatively small, which could be accessible to small businesses, but their participation is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight typically involves ensuring compliance with procurement regulations, contract terms, and performance standards. The BPA Call mechanism suggests a streamlined process for fulfilling specific needs.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited contract value may not attract significant competition.
Economic price adjustment introduces potential for cost escalation.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or specific product requirements.
Short contract duration limits long-term strategic sourcing opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,505.56 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. PEN, BALL-POINT: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,505.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the average per-unit cost of ball-point pens procured by the federal government through similar contracts?

Determining the precise average per-unit cost for federal ball-point pen procurement is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all similar contracts and their specific line-item details. Factors like bulk discounts, specific pen types (e.g., retractable, gel ink), and contract vehicles significantly influence pricing. However, for standard ball-point pens in bulk, per-unit costs typically range from a few cents to under a dollar, depending on volume and quality.

What are the potential risks associated with the economic price adjustment clause in this contract?

The primary risk of an economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is the potential for increased costs to the government if market prices for raw materials or manufacturing rise significantly. While intended to protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases, it can lead to taxpayer funds being spent at a higher rate than initially anticipated, especially if the adjustment mechanism is not tightly controlled or if market volatility is extreme.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition' method in ensuring the best value for commodity items like pens?

Full and Open Competition is generally effective in ensuring best value for commodity items like pens by maximizing the pool of potential bidders, thereby fostering price competition. This method allows the government to leverage market forces to obtain competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness can be diminished if the contract value is too small to attract significant competition or if the solicitation requirements are overly complex, inadvertently limiting participation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) 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: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,506

Exercised Options: $3,506

Current Obligation: $3,506

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline