GSA Awards $18,765 for 4x6 Trifold Kits from JL Darling, LLC under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,765 ($18.8K)
Contractor: JL Darling, LLC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-11
End Date: 2026-04-22
Contract Duration: 11 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: 4 X 6 TRIFOLD KIT, 946T, COVER, FDE97 PEN, J.L.DARLING CORP P/N BB946T-KIT
Place of Performance
Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $18,764.86 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: 4 X 6 TRIFOLD KIT, 946T, COVER, FDE97 PEN, J.L.DARLING CORP P/N BB946T-KIT Key points: 1. The contract is for specialized stationery kits, a niche product within the broader office supplies sector. 2. JL Darling, LLC is the sole awardee, indicating a specific supplier for this unique item. 3. The contract duration is short (11 days), suggesting an immediate or urgent need. 4. The fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment offers some cost certainty but allows for minor fluctuations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The price of $18,764.86 for 4x6 trifold kits appears reasonable given the specialized nature and the inclusion of a specific pen. Benchmarking is difficult without more granular data on similar specialized kits.
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. The award method was a BPA Call, indicating it was likely sourced from an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential operational supplies, with competition aiming for cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential field kits for government personnel. Supports a specific manufacturing sector (stationery products). The short duration suggests a focused procurement for immediate operational needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited contract duration may require future procurements.
- Economic price adjustment introduces minor cost variability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Clear product description and vendor.
Sector Analysis
The stationery product manufacturing sector is relatively stable. Spending benchmarks for such specialized kits are not readily available, but GSA's role suggests it falls within standard office supply procurement categories.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting. The primary awardee is JL Darling, LLC, a known entity in this space.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this procurement through its Federal Acquisition Service, ensuring adherence to procurement regulations. The BPA Call mechanism implies pre-negotiated terms.
Related Government Programs
- Stationery Product Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited contract duration
- Economic price adjustment
- Potential for limited competition on niche items
- Sole awardee for this specific kit
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 $18,764.86 to JL DARLING, LLC. 4 X 6 TRIFOLD KIT, 946T, COVER, FDE97 PEN, J.L.DARLING CORP P/N BB946T-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 $18,764.86.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-11. End: 2026-04-22.
What is the specific operational need driving the procurement of these specialized trifold kits?
The specific operational need is for 4x6 trifold kits, including a cover and a specific pen (FDE97). These are likely used by field personnel requiring durable, portable documentation or organizational tools. The short contract duration suggests an immediate requirement, possibly for a specific mission, deployment, or to replenish existing stock for ongoing operations.
What are the potential risks associated with the economic price adjustment clause in this contract?
The primary risk of the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is potential cost overruns if material or labor costs increase significantly during the contract period. While the contract is fixed-price, the EPA allows for adjustments, meaning the final cost could exceed the initial estimate. This necessitates careful monitoring by the agency to ensure adjustments are justified and reasonable.
How effective is the full and open competition strategy in ensuring value for these specialized stationery kits?
Full and open competition is generally effective in driving value by encouraging multiple bids and fostering price discovery. However, for highly specialized or niche products like these kits, the pool of potential bidders might be limited. The effectiveness hinges on whether sufficient competition was actually achieved, leading to a competitive price, or if the award was made to a single capable vendor due to the product's specificity.
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: $18,417
Exercised Options: $18,417
Current Obligation: $18,765
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-11
Current End Date: 2026-04-22
Potential End Date: 2026-04-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-14
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