GSA awards $6,678 for hand-operated strapping kits from Independent Metal Strap Co. Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,678 ($6.7K)

Contractor: Independent Metal Strap CO Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-02

Contract Duration: 25 days

Daily Burn Rate: $267/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/

Place of Performance

Location: DOVER, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19901

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,678 to INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC for work described as: STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/ Key points: 1. The contract is for hand-operated strapping kits used for securing various items and freight. 2. The primary supplier is Independent Metal Strap Co. Inc., with a contract value of $6,678. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting market availability of such products. 4. The sector is Packaging Machinery Manufacturing, indicating specialized industrial equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6,678 is relatively small. Without specific per-unit cost data or comparison to similar recent procurements, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the fixed price with economic price adjustment suggests some flexibility for market fluctuations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors could have bid. The award method is a BPA Call, which is a call-off from an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. This method generally promotes competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is minimal due to the small contract value. The efficiency gained by securing freight and packages could lead to indirect savings.

Public Impact

Ensures secure transport of goods, reducing potential damage and loss during shipping. Supports logistics operations across various federal agencies by providing essential packaging tools. The availability of these kits contributes to the overall efficiency of supply chain management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment could lead to cost increases beyond initial estimates.
Limited contract duration (25 days) may necessitate frequent re-procurement.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Clear product description and intended use.
Contract managed by experienced agencies (GSA).

Sector Analysis

The Packaging Machinery Manufacturing sector involves the production of equipment used for packaging, bundling, and sealing goods. Federal spending in this area typically supports logistics, supply chain, and operational needs across various agencies. Benchmarks are difficult without more specific product data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific contract award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated in the original BPA competition or if this is a missed opportunity for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) and its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) are responsible for this procurement. GSA's role in managing federal procurement and establishing BPAs generally ensures a degree of oversight and adherence to acquisition regulations.

Related Government Programs

Packaging Machinery Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) introduces cost uncertainty.
Short contract duration (25 days) may lead to frequent re-procurement efforts.
No explicit small business participation noted.
Limited contract value may not reflect potential for larger, more competitive bids.
Reliance on a single BPA call without visibility into the original BPA competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,678 to INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC. STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,678.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-02.

What is the typical unit cost for hand-operated strapping kits of this specification in the commercial market?

Determining the precise commercial unit cost requires detailed market research into specific models and suppliers of 5/8-inch flat steel strapping tools. Factors like brand reputation, material quality, and included accessories influence pricing. However, similar industrial-grade tools can range from $50 to $300 per unit, depending on features and durability. Without more specific product details, a direct comparison is challenging.

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

The primary risk of an EPA clause is that the final cost to the government could exceed the initially estimated price. Fluctuations in the market price of steel strapping or manufacturing components could lead to upward adjustments. This uncertainty makes budget forecasting more difficult and could result in higher overall spending than anticipated if material costs rise significantly during the contract period.

How effectively does this procurement support the government's need for secure and reinforced packaging solutions?

This procurement directly addresses the government's need for securing and reinforcing various items, including freight. Hand-operated strapping kits are essential tools for preventing damage, pilferage, and ensuring the integrity of shipments. The availability of these kits through a competitive process suggests a functional solution is in place to meet this operational requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Packaging Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SERVICE AND TRADE EQPT

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: 883 HORSEPOND RD, DOVER, DE, 19901

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,678

Exercised Options: $6,678

Current Obligation: $6,678

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA21A000Y

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline