GSA's $6M Contract for Prison-Printed Forms Faces Scrutiny Amidst Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,024 ($6.0K)
Contractor: Federal Prison Industries, Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-06-07
Contract Duration: 60 days
Daily Burn Rate: $100/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: SF 261, CREW TIME REPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LEAVENWORTH, LEAVENWORTH County, KANSAS, 66048
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $6,024 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC for work described as: SF 261, CREW TIME REPORT Key points: 1. The contract value is $6,024,000. 2. Competition is limited, raising concerns about price discovery. 3. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces potential cost volatility. 4. The sector is primarily administrative/office supplies, with a focus on printing.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is based on a fixed price with economic price adjustment, which can obscure true market value over time. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar printing contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is not available for competition, suggesting a sole-source or limited source award. This lack of open competition likely hinders robust price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition structure may result in inflated prices, directly impacting taxpayer funds allocated for these administrative forms.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for standard printing services due to restricted competition. The use of Federal Prison Industries raises questions about the efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to private sector alternatives. The economic price adjustment clause adds uncertainty to the final cost, potentially exceeding initial estimates.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Economic price adjustment
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Contract supports federal programs
- Defined delivery period
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative and office supplies sector, specifically printing services. Benchmarks for similar government printing contracts are often influenced by volume, complexity, and competitive bidding.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to involve small business participation, as it is awarded to Federal Prison Industries, Inc. This limits opportunities for small businesses in the printing sector.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). The lack of competition warrants close monitoring to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Manifold Business Forms Printing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty
- Limited transparency in cost justification
Tags
manifold-business-forms-printing, general-services-administration, ks, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $6,024 to FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC. SF 261, CREW TIME REPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6,024.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-06-07.
What is the justification for limiting competition for this printing contract?
The data indicates the contract is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' suggesting a specific mandate or reason, potentially related to the use of Federal Prison Industries. A thorough review would be needed to understand the specific legal or policy basis for this limitation and whether it truly serves the best interest of the government.
How does the economic price adjustment clause impact the overall risk and potential cost overrun?
The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for price changes based on fluctuations in economic factors, such as inflation or material costs. This introduces uncertainty and risk, as the final cost could significantly exceed the initial fixed price, potentially leading to cost overruns and impacting budget predictability.
Can the government achieve better value for these printing services through open competition?
Given the limited competition, it is highly probable that the government could achieve better value through an open and competitive bidding process. Private sector printers often offer competitive pricing due to market pressures, potentially leading to significant cost savings for taxpayers on these manifold business forms.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Printing and Related Support Activities › Manifold Business Forms Printing
Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Government of the United States
Address: 3301 LEESTOWN RD, LEXINGTON, KY, 40511
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Manufacturer of Goods, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,024
Exercised Options: $6,024
Current Obligation: $6,024
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS07FW0013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-06-07
Potential End Date: 2026-06-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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