GSA awards $292,500 purchase order for electrical testing instruments to Star Poly Bag, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,925 ($2.9K)

Contractor: Star Poly BAG, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $139/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG, PLASTIC: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: BROOKLYN, KINGS County, NEW YORK, 11207

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,925 to STAR POLY BAG, INC. for work described as: BAG, PLASTIC: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar instrument procurements. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the short duration and lack of competition. 4. Performance context is limited due to the recent award date. 5. Sector positioning within instrument manufacturing for measuring and testing electricity. 6. The award is a purchase order, a common mechanism for smaller value acquisitions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $292,500 for a 21-day period appears high for a purchase order of this nature. Benchmarking against similar procurements for electrical testing instruments is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. Without more detailed specifications of the instruments and their intended use, a definitive value assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that multiple vendors were not given the opportunity to offer their products or services. This can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competition, as there was no market pressure to drive down prices.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring instruments for measuring and testing electricity and electrical signals will benefit from this award. The services delivered include the provision of specific electrical testing instruments. The geographic impact is focused on New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small number of personnel for order fulfillment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Short contract duration may indicate an urgent or specific need, but also limits long-term planning.
Contractor's primary NAICS code (334515) is Instrument Manufacturing, but the company name 'Star Poly Bag, Inc.' suggests a potential mismatch or diversification.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a reputable contracting agency.
The purchase order mechanism is suitable for acquiring specific, potentially off-the-shelf items.

Sector Analysis

The instrument manufacturing sector for measuring and testing electricity and electrical signals is a specialized area within the broader manufacturing industry. This contract falls under NAICS code 334515. The market for such instruments is driven by demand from various sectors, including defense, research and development, and industrial applications. Benchmarking spending in this category requires identifying comparable procurements for similar types of electrical testing equipment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses based on the provided data. The award to Star Poly Bag, Inc. does not indicate any direct benefit or impact on the small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically be managed by the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) within the General Services Administration (GSA). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver the specified goods at the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though the limited competition aspect warrants closer scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Federal Acquisition Service
Purchase Orders
Electrical Testing Equipment
Instrument Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential mismatch between contractor name and product category.
High value for a short-duration purchase order.
Ambiguous description of goods ('BAG, PLASTIC').

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,925 to STAR POLY BAG, INC.. BAG, PLASTIC: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STAR POLY BAG, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,925.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the specific nature and intended use of the electrical testing instruments being procured?

The provided data indicates the procurement is for 'BAG, PLASTIC: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.' This description is highly unusual for instruments related to 'Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals' (NAICS 334515). It is possible there is a data entry error, or the 'BAG, PLASTIC' refers to packaging or a component of the instrument system. Without the attached document, the specific nature and intended use of the instruments remain unclear. This ambiguity makes it difficult to assess the appropriateness of the contractor and the value of the procurement.

How does the price of $292,500 for 21 days of supply compare to market rates for similar electrical testing instruments?

Benchmarking the price of $292,500 for a 21-day supply of electrical testing instruments against market rates is challenging without knowing the exact specifications of the instruments. However, the value appears high for a short-duration purchase order, especially given the lack of competition. A typical market analysis would involve comparing this price to similar instruments procured by other federal agencies or commercial entities. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, but the high cost per day warrants further investigation into the necessity and type of instruments required.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for these instruments?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, the government may not be securing the best possible price or value. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to innovative solutions or a wider range of qualified suppliers. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not have the most suitable capabilities if alternatives were not explored. This situation could lead to suboptimal performance or higher long-term costs.

What is the track record of Star Poly Bag, Inc. in supplying electrical testing instruments?

The provided data lists Star Poly Bag, Inc. as the contractor with NAICS code 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals). However, the company name 'Star Poly Bag, Inc.' suggests a primary business in plastic bags, which seems incongruous with electrical testing instruments. A review of the contractor's past performance and specific experience in supplying this type of equipment is crucial. Without further information on their history with electrical instruments, it is difficult to assess their capability and reliability for this specific procurement.

What is the historical spending pattern for electrical testing instruments by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for electrical testing instruments by the GSA would provide context for this $292,500 purchase order. Analyzing past procurements under NAICS code 334515 or similar categories would reveal typical contract values, durations, competition levels, and pricing trends. If GSA has historically awarded larger, competitively bid contracts for similar instruments, this sole-source, short-duration award might warrant closer examination. Conversely, if GSA frequently uses purchase orders for specific, smaller-scale instrument needs, this award might be more in line with established practices.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 LIBERTY AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11207

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,925

Exercised Options: $2,925

Current Obligation: $2,925

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline