GSA Awards $5.86M Hardware Contract to Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,858 ($5.9K)

Contractor: Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $837/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSERT, R390-11 T3 08M-PM GRADE: 4340

Place of Performance

Location: ROCK ISLAND, ROCK ISLAND County, ILLINOIS, 61201

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,858 to WINSTON-SALEM INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC for work described as: INSERT, R390-11 T3 08M-PM GRADE: 4340 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization serving blind individuals. 2. Limited competition due to specific mandate for employing blind individuals. 3. Potential for higher costs compared to open market due to specialized labor. 4. Sector: Hardware Stores, supporting federal agency needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.86M for a 7-day duration appears high for hardware supplies. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule contracts for hardware would be necessary to assess true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded via a BPA Call. The limited competition likely stems from the mandate to use industries that employ blind individuals, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to procure necessary hardware, with potential for increased cost due to the specialized nature of the supplier.

Public Impact

Supports federal agencies' need for hardware supplies. Fulfills a social objective by providing employment for blind individuals. Ensures availability of essential goods through a dedicated supply chain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for above-market pricing due to limited competition.
Short contract duration may indicate urgent need or limited scope.
Lack of SAP competition raises questions about best value.

Positive Signals

Supports a social mission and employment for a disadvantaged group.
Utilizes an existing BPA Call, potentially streamlining procurement.
Provides essential hardware to federal agencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Hardware Stores sector, which is crucial for maintaining federal facilities and operations. Spending benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on agency needs and specific product categories.

Small Business Impact

This contract is awarded to an organization that prioritizes employing blind individuals, which is a specific type of social enterprise rather than a traditional small business. The focus is on fulfilling a social mission.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets its employment mandate and delivers goods as specified.

Related Government Programs

Hardware Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for inflated pricing.
Limited transparency in price discovery.
Short contract duration may not meet all needs.
Reliance on a single source for specific hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,858 to WINSTON-SALEM INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC. INSERT, R390-11 T3 08M-PM GRADE: 4340

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINSTON-SALEM INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,858.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the specific justification for not competing this under SAP, and how does it align with federal procurement regulations for specialized suppliers?

The justification for not competing under SAP likely relates to the specific mandate to procure from industries that employ blind individuals, such as through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act. This allows for limited competition to support social objectives. The alignment with regulations would depend on whether the supplier meets the criteria for such set-asides and if the procurement process followed the appropriate procedures for these exceptions.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar hardware procurements made through open competition on GSA Schedules?

Without direct comparison data, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, contracts with limited competition, especially those mandated for specific employment demographics, often carry a premium. A thorough analysis would involve comparing unit prices for common hardware items against GSA Schedule pricing obtained through full and open competition to identify any significant discrepancies.

What is the expected impact on federal agency operational effectiveness given the short 7-day duration of this contract?

The short 7-day duration suggests this contract is likely for immediate, urgent needs or a very specific, limited set of hardware items. If it's for essential operational hardware, the short duration implies a need for rapid fulfillment. Agencies would need to ensure timely delivery within this window to avoid disruptions. If it's a recurring need, this short duration might indicate a need for a longer-term solution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Hardware Stores

Product/Service Code: MEASURING TOOLS

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: 7730 NORTH POINT BLVD, WINSTON SALEM, NC, 27106

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,858

Exercised Options: $5,858

Current Obligation: $5,858

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA043

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline