GSA awards $119K for hardware maintenance kits, with a short performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $119,124 ($119.1K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: H1-140-1 PHASE MAINT BOX KIT

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $119,123.8 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: H1-140-1 PHASE MAINT BOX KIT Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused need for specific maintenance items. 2. The short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates an immediate or urgent requirement. 3. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, implying pre-negotiated terms. 4. The contractor, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., is a large supplier of industrial products. 5. The use of a firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive marketplace for these goods.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $119,123.80 for a 7-day period for hardware maintenance kits appears reasonable given the supplier and the nature of the goods. Without specific details on the exact kits or quantities, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the award was made through a BPA Call, which typically involves pre-negotiated pricing that is expected to be competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by locking in costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific mechanism was a BPA Call, which means the competition likely occurred during the establishment of the underlying BPA, with this call being a specific order against it. The number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy competitive environment for the broader category of hardware supplies.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for its needs.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring hardware maintenance kits for operational readiness will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of essential hardware components for equipment upkeep. The contract is geographically focused on New York (ST: NY, SN: NEW YORK), likely serving facilities or operations in that region. The contract supports the maintenance of federal infrastructure and equipment, indirectly supporting federal workforce productivity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short performance period could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Lack of detail on specific items procured makes it difficult to assess the true value or necessity.
Reliance on a single BPA call might limit broader market exploration for potentially better deals.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contractor is a known large supplier, likely with established supply chains.
BPA Call mechanism suggests pre-vetted pricing and streamlined procurement.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader category of industrial and hardware supplies, a significant sector supporting government operations. The National Industrial Classification (NAICS) code 444130, Hardware Stores, indicates the type of business involved. Spending in this category is consistent across many federal agencies for maintaining facilities and equipment. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without specific item details, but the overall market for industrial supplies is large and competitive.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (SS: false, SB: false). Given the nature of the goods (hardware) and the contractor (MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., a large corporation), it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would arise directly from this specific award. The primary focus appears to be on fulfilling a direct need for a large supplier.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed under the General Services Administration (GSA), which has established oversight mechanisms for its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) and its Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Specific oversight for this particular BPA call would fall under the purview of the contracting officers within GSA's FAS.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Industrial Equipment and Supplies
Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a reactive procurement.
Limited information on specific items procured hinders detailed value analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $119,123.8 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. H1-140-1 PHASE MAINT BOX KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT 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 $119,123.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the track record of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. as a federal contractor?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has a substantial history as a federal contractor, frequently awarded contracts across various agencies for industrial supplies, hardware, and maintenance equipment. Their performance is generally characterized by their ability to supply a wide range of products and manage large-scale orders. Federal procurement data indicates numerous awards, often through competitive processes and under established supply schedules or BPAs. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not always publicly detailed, their continued presence as a supplier suggests a satisfactory track record in meeting government requirements for these types of goods. Their extensive catalog and distribution network are key assets in serving federal needs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar hardware supply contracts?

Direct comparison of pricing for this specific contract is challenging without knowing the exact hardware maintenance kits and quantities procured. However, the contract was awarded under a GSA BPA Call, which implies that pricing was likely negotiated and benchmarked during the establishment of the BPA. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a major supplier, and their participation in BPAs suggests their pricing is competitive within the market for industrial and hardware supplies. The firm fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty. To perform a detailed benchmark, one would need to compare the unit prices of the specific items against other GSA Schedule contracts or similar competitive awards for identical or comparable items.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its small value and short duration. Potential risks include the possibility of receiving incorrect or substandard items if quality control is insufficient, although the contractor's established reputation mitigates this. Another minor risk is the short performance window, which could lead to delays if the contractor fails to deliver within the 7-day period, potentially impacting agency operations. However, the firm fixed-price nature limits financial risk for the government. The risk of overpayment is minimal given the contract's size and the competitive award process.

How effective is the GSA's BPA Call mechanism for procuring hardware supplies?

The GSA's Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call mechanism is generally considered an effective tool for procuring recurring needs for supplies and services, including hardware. It allows agencies to streamline the ordering process for pre-negotiated items and pricing established under an overarching BPA. This reduces administrative burden and lead times compared to traditional competitive procurements for each individual order. For hardware supplies, BPAs with large distributors like MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. can ensure timely access to a wide variety of necessary items. The effectiveness is maximized when the underlying BPA terms are competitive and the agency clearly defines its needs within the BPA's scope.

What is the historical spending pattern for hardware stores (NAICS 444130) by the federal government?

Federal spending on hardware stores, categorized under NAICS code 444130, represents a consistent but relatively small portion of the government's overall procurement budget. Agencies procure a wide array of hardware, tools, and maintenance supplies essential for facility upkeep, equipment repair, and operational readiness. Spending typically occurs across numerous small-value transactions and larger contracts supporting specific projects or agency-wide needs. While specific aggregate historical data for this NAICS code alone can be fragmented across various contract types (e.g., GSA Schedules, BPAs, direct awards), it is evident that federal agencies rely on these types of suppliers to maintain their infrastructure and assets across the country.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 515 BROADHOLLOW RD STE 1000, MELVILLE, NY, 11747

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $119,124

Exercised Options: $119,124

Current Obligation: $119,124

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline