GSA Awards $8.1M Contract for Tactical Planners to JL Darling, LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,104 ($8.1K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $737/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PLANNER,TACTICAL FI - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,104.3 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: PLANNER,TACTICAL FI - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to JL Darling, LLC for tactical planners. 2. The contract value is $8.1 million. 3. Competition method was full and open. 4. The contract is for stationery product manufacturing. 5. The contract duration is 11 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.1 million for a short duration (11 days) suggests a potentially high per-unit cost. Benchmarking against similar tactical planner contracts is needed to assess pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure competitive pricing. However, the specific value and duration warrant further scrutiny for cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Military and government personnel will receive tactical planners. The contract supports the stationery product manufacturing sector. The short duration may indicate an urgent need or a specific project requirement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration for a significant value.
Lack of detailed product specifications in the provided data.
Potential for high per-unit cost given the contract value and duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Contract awarded to a known entity (JL Darling, LLC).

Sector Analysis

The stationery product manufacturing sector is diverse, with contracts ranging from office supplies to specialized items. This contract for tactical planners falls within this sector, and the $8.1 million value for a short period is notable.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small businesses in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve ensuring the terms of the fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract are met and that the pricing remains fair.

Related Government Programs

Stationery Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High implied per-unit cost.
Short contract duration.
Economic price adjustment clause.
Lack of detailed product specifications.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,104.3 to JL DARLING, LLC. PLANNER,TACTICAL FI - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JL DARLING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,104.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-20.

What is the expected unit cost for these tactical planners given the contract value and short duration?

With a contract value of $8.1 million and a duration of only 11 days, the implied per-unit cost for the tactical planners is exceptionally high. Without specific quantities, it's impossible to calculate precisely, but this suggests either a very large quantity of high-value planners or a potential overvaluation. Further details on the quantity and specifications are crucial for a definitive assessment.

What are the specific risks associated with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for tactical planners?

The primary risk with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) is that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if material or labor costs increase significantly. For tactical planners, this could involve fluctuations in raw material prices (paper, binding, etc.) or labor costs. While intended to protect contractors from unforeseen economic shifts, it shifts some cost risk to the government.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for tactical planners of this nature?

Full and open competition is generally the most effective method for ensuring value for money, as it allows multiple vendors to bid, fostering price reduction and innovation. However, the effectiveness in this specific case depends on the clarity of the requirements and the number of qualified bidders. If the specifications were overly restrictive or the market for these specific planners is limited, the competition might not have yielded the best possible outcome.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Stationery Product 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: 2614 PACIFIC HWY E, FIFE, WA, 98424

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,104

Exercised Options: $8,104

Current Obligation: $8,104

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline