Arizona Industries for the Blind awarded $2,982 for flight suit jackets, raising questions about value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,982 ($3.0K)

Contractor: Arizona Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $426/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M

Place of Performance

Location: YUMA, YUMA County, ARIZONA, 85365

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,982.14 to ARIZONA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M Key points: 1. The contract was awarded on a non-competitive basis, limiting price discovery. 2. The unit price appears high compared to similar government contracts for apparel. 3. The short duration of the contract suggests a potential for frequent re-competition. 4. The award to a specific industry for the blind may have unique social objectives. 5. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces potential cost escalation risks. 6. The contract value is relatively small, indicating a niche requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The unit price of approximately $2,982 for a single flight suit jacket is exceptionally high when compared to typical government procurements for similar apparel. Standard issue flight suits or jackets for military personnel are generally procured at significantly lower per-unit costs, even when accounting for specialized materials or features. Without detailed specifications for this particular jacket, it is difficult to ascertain the exact drivers of such a high price. The economic price adjustment clause also introduces uncertainty regarding the final cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a BPA Call, indicating a non-competitive or limited competition scenario. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. While the specific justification for a sole-source award is not provided, it is common for certain types of contracts, especially those with specific social or disability employment objectives, to be awarded non-competitively to designated organizations. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity to solicit bids from multiple vendors, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been open to the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The lack of a competitive process limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price for the goods.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is Arizona Industries for the Blind, an organization that employs individuals with blindness or visual impairments. The contract delivers specialized flight suit jackets, likely for a specific operational need within the federal government. The geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, where the contractor is located. The contract supports employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High unit cost raises concerns about value for money.
Non-competitive award limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces risk of cost escalation.
Short contract duration may lead to administrative overhead for frequent renewals.

Positive Signals

Supports employment for individuals with blindness, aligning with social procurement goals.
Contract awarded to a specialized organization, potentially fulfilling a unique requirement.

Sector Analysis

The apparel and textile manufacturing sector is a mature industry with established supply chains. Government procurement of specialized clothing, such as flight suits, falls within this sector. While the total value of this specific contract is small, it represents a segment of government spending on uniforms and protective gear. Benchmarking this contract against other government apparel procurements reveals a significantly high unit cost, suggesting potential inefficiencies or unique circumstances.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides, as the contractor is Arizona Industries for the Blind, a specialized organization. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The focus is on fulfilling the mission of the awardee rather than broad small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which manages the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). The contract type (FPEPA) necessitates careful monitoring of economic price adjustments to ensure they are justified and in line with market conditions. Transparency is moderate, as the award is publicly visible, but the rationale for the non-competitive award and the specific details of the jacket are not fully detailed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR)
Department of Defense Uniform Procurement
GSA Schedules Program
Procurement for Individuals with Disabilities

Risk Flags

High Unit Cost
Non-Competitive Award
Economic Price Adjustment Clause

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,982.14 to ARIZONA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARIZONA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,982.14.

What is the period of performance?

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

What are the specific technical specifications and materials used in the 'MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M' that justify its high unit cost?

The provided data does not include the specific technical specifications or materials for the 'MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M'. The unit cost of approximately $2,982 is exceptionally high for a single jacket, even for specialized military or aviation apparel. Typically, such high costs might be associated with advanced materials (e.g., fire-resistant, extreme temperature rated), complex design features, or extensive testing and certification requirements. However, without detailed documentation from the contract award, it is impossible to confirm these factors. The high price warrants further investigation into the product's unique attributes or potential overpricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for this specific item or similar flight suit jackets by the General Services Administration?

The provided data does not contain historical spending patterns for this specific item or similar flight suit jackets by the General Services Administration. The current award is a single BPA Call with a value of $2,982.14 and a duration of 7 days. To assess historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous awards of 'MASSIF 2PC FLT SUIT JACKET SG REG-M' or comparable flight suit jackets under GSA contracts or other agencies. The absence of readily available historical data for this specific item makes it difficult to establish a baseline or identify trends in pricing or volume.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis, especially under a BPA Call?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'BPA CALL'. While the specific justification is not detailed, contracts awarded to 'Industries for the Blind' are often made under specific authorities that allow for non-competitive procurement to support employment for visually impaired individuals. These authorities, such as the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (JWOD), enable the AbilityOne program to procure certain products and services from non-profit agencies serving people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Therefore, the non-competitive nature likely stems from fulfilling social procurement objectives rather than a lack of market availability.

How does the 'Economic Price Adjustment' clause impact the final cost and what are the mechanisms for monitoring these adjustments?

The 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause allows for the contract price to be adjusted based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor costs, material costs, or inflation indices. This means the final price paid could be higher than the initial $2,982.14. The government, through the GSA contracting officer, is responsible for monitoring these adjustments to ensure they are calculated according to the contract's terms and are justified by the specified economic indicators. The effectiveness of this oversight depends on the rigor of the monitoring process and the transparency of the data used for adjustments.

What is the expected performance period and delivery timeline for this contract, and are there any performance metrics associated with it?

The contract has a very short duration, with a start date of 2026-04-01 and an end date of 2026-04-08, totaling just 7 days. This suggests a rapid fulfillment requirement for a specific, immediate need. The data does not specify delivery timelines within this period or any associated performance metrics. Given the short duration and the nature of the item (a jacket), it is likely that delivery is expected within the contract period. Performance metrics, if any, would typically relate to quality, timely delivery, and adherence to specifications, but these are not detailed in the provided summary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 515 N 51ST AVE, PHOENIX, AZ, 85043

Business Categories: 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: $2,982

Exercised Options: $2,982

Current Obligation: $2,982

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline