GSA Awards $9,072 for FIST Kits, Including Stationery and Writing Supplies from JL Darling, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,072 ($9.1K)
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: $825/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT
Place of Performance
Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $9,072.47 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT Key points: 1. The contract for FIST kits, encompassing stationery and writing materials, was awarded to JL Darling, LLC. 2. The award was made under a General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service contract. 3. The product category is Stationery Product Manufacturing, with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 322230. 4. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, and the period of performance is 11 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $9,072.47. Without specific benchmarks for FIST kits, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the unit price for the kit appears reasonable given the included components.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small contract value of $9,072.47 suggests a minimal direct impact on taxpayers, though it represents routine procurement of essential supplies.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential field supplies for personnel. Supports a specific manufacturing sector through government procurement. Provides necessary tools for documentation and communication in operational settings.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Economic Price Adjustment clause could lead to cost increases.
- Short contract duration may indicate a specific, limited need.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Procurement through GSA ensures adherence to federal acquisition regulations.
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls under the Stationery Product Manufacturing sector. Spending benchmarks for this specific type of kit are not readily available, but it aligns with general office and field supply needs within federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award went to JL Darling, LLC. It is unclear from the provided information whether this company qualifies as a small business or if small business set-asides were considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded through the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service, which typically has established oversight mechanisms for procurements. The BPA Call award method suggests it's part of a larger framework agreement.
Related Government Programs
- Stationery Product Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost escalation due to EPA clause.
- Short contract duration may indicate a limited or urgent need, requiring further justification.
- Lack of clarity on small business participation.
- Specific components of the 'FIST KIT' are not detailed, making precise value assessment difficult.
Tags
stationery-product-manufacturing, general-services-administration, wa, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $9,072.47 to JL DARLING, LLC. FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT
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 $9,072.47.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-20.
What is the typical cost for similar FIST kits in the market?
Determining the exact market cost for 'FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS' is challenging without more detailed specifications. However, based on the components listed, similar kits for field operations or tactical use can range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on brand, quality, and specific inclusions. The $9,072.47 award for multiple kits suggests a per-kit price within this expected range.
What are the potential risks associated with the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause?
The primary risk of an EPA clause is that it allows for price increases based on fluctuations in the market for raw materials or labor. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated costs for the government if inflation or supply chain issues drive up the prices of paper, pens, markers, or other components. It reduces cost certainty for the contracting agency.
How effective is the full and open competition in ensuring value for this type of procurement?
Full and open competition is generally effective in ensuring value by allowing multiple vendors to bid, fostering price competition. For standardized items like stationery and notebooks, this process is likely to yield competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness can be limited if the specific 'FIST KIT' configuration is unique or if only a few manufacturers can supply it, potentially reducing the competitive landscape.
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: $9,072
Exercised Options: $9,072
Current Obligation: $9,072
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2026-04-20
Potential End Date: 2026-04-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-12
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