GSA awards $4M contract for dish rinse additive, highlighting potential for cost savings in cleaning supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,016 ($4.0K)

Contractor: Ecolab Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $574/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RINSE ADDITIVE,DISH

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PAUL, RAMSEY County, MINNESOTA, 55102

State: Minnesota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,015.6 to ECOLAB INC for work described as: RINSE ADDITIVE,DISH Key points: 1. The contract value of $4.02 million for a short duration suggests a focus on efficient procurement of essential supplies. 2. Competition dynamics for this type of consumable are crucial for ensuring competitive pricing and preventing price gouging. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance context is limited due to the short duration, but consistent supply is key. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of facilities maintenance and operational supplies. 6. The supplier's established presence in the market may indicate reliability but also warrants scrutiny for competitive alternatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.02 million for a 7-day period appears reasonable for bulk procurement of specialized cleaning agents. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for janitorial and sanitation supplies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the unit price, if available, would be a more precise indicator of cost-effectiveness compared to commercial or other federal agency purchases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition process suitable for acquisitions below certain thresholds. While the number of bidders is not specified, SAP generally encourages broad participation. This level of competition is expected to drive favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by securing the best possible price for the required goods.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring dishwashing and sanitation supplies will benefit from a reliable source of rinse additive. The service delivered is the provision of essential cleaning chemicals, contributing to hygiene standards in government facilities. The geographic impact is national, as GSA procures for various federal entities across the country. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting procurement and facilities management personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term price stability or volume discounts.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency beyond delivery.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type protects against cost escalation.
Competition under SAP suggests a robust market for this product.
GSA's involvement indicates adherence to federal procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

The market for cleaning and sanitation chemicals is substantial, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. This contract for dish rinse additive fits within the broader industrial chemicals sector, specifically serving the janitorial and food service supply chain. Government procurement of such consumables is a significant segment, often managed through large contracts by agencies like GSA to leverage economies of scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and does not specify small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. Without further information, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses. However, larger contracts often have subcontracting requirements that could potentially benefit small businesses in the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract, which is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages many of GSA's supply contracts. Accountability is maintained through the terms of the purchase order and the potential for audits or reviews by GSA's Office of Inspector General if performance issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for cleaning supplies
General Services Administration (GSA) procurement vehicles
Janitorial and Sanitation Supplies
Chemical Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term price stability.
Potential for supply chain disruptions for specialized chemicals.
Need to verify compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,015.6 to ECOLAB INC. RINSE ADDITIVE,DISH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECOLAB INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,015.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific dish rinse additive or similar products by the GSA?

Analyzing historical spending data for dish rinse additives and related cleaning supplies procured by the GSA would reveal trends in volume, pricing, and supplier diversity. Without access to specific historical contract databases for this exact product code (NAICS 325611), a precise comparison is challenging. However, GSA generally procures such items through various contract vehicles, including Federal Supply Schedules and competitive solicitations. Trends often show increased volume during periods of heightened government operations or facility usage. Price fluctuations can be influenced by raw material costs, market competition, and the specific contract vehicles used. A review of past solicitations and awards for similar items would indicate whether pricing has remained stable, increased, or decreased over time, and whether competition has been consistent.

How does the awarded price compare to commercial market rates for Ecolab's rinse additive?

Comparing the awarded price to commercial market rates for Ecolab's specific dish rinse additive requires access to both the contract's unit pricing and current commercial sales data. Ecolab is a major supplier, and government contracts often leverage volume discounts that may differ from standard commercial pricing. If the contract price per unit is significantly lower than typical commercial bulk pricing, it suggests good value. Conversely, if it's higher, it might indicate less competitive bidding or specific product requirements. Without the exact unit price from the contract and current commercial catalog prices, a definitive comparison is not possible. However, GSA's procurement process aims to achieve prices at or below market rates through competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being monitored?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this particular purchase order. Typically, for supply contracts, KPIs would focus on delivery timeliness (ensuring the 7-day delivery window is met), product quality (meeting specifications for the rinse additive), and order accuracy. Performance monitoring would likely be conducted by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the GSA Federal Acquisition Service. This involves tracking delivery dates, verifying receipt of goods, and potentially reviewing any reported issues or complaints from end-users. Given the short duration, monitoring might be less intensive than for a long-term service contract, focusing primarily on successful and timely delivery of the specified product.

What is the track record of Ecolab Inc. as a government contractor, particularly with GSA?

Ecolab Inc. has a significant track record as a government contractor, frequently supplying cleaning, sanitation, and water treatment solutions to various federal agencies, including through GSA. Their extensive presence in both commercial and government markets suggests a capacity to meet federal procurement requirements. Historical data from contract databases would likely show numerous awards to Ecolab across different agencies and contract types. GSA, in particular, often utilizes large suppliers like Ecolab for essential supplies due to their established distribution networks and product lines. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, their continued success in winning government bids generally indicates a satisfactory performance history and compliance with federal regulations.

Are there any identified risks associated with this specific type of chemical procurement?

Risks associated with procuring chemical products like dish rinse additives primarily revolve around supply chain disruptions, potential environmental or safety compliance issues, and price volatility of raw materials. For this specific contract, the short duration (7 days) minimizes long-term supply chain risk. However, ensuring the product meets all safety and environmental standards is crucial. Price volatility could be a concern if raw material costs increase significantly between the time of bidding and delivery, although the firm fixed-price contract mitigates this for the government. Ensuring the supplier, Ecolab, maintains compliance with all relevant regulations (e.g., EPA, OSHA) is an ongoing risk management consideration for the procuring agency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing › Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 ECOLAB PL, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,016

Exercised Options: $4,016

Current Obligation: $4,016

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline