GSA awards $13.3M contract for office supplies to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,294 ($13.3K)

Contractor: THE Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,294.08 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, non-profit provider of services for the blind. 2. Focus on office supplies and stationery, a common government procurement category. 3. Short duration of 7 days suggests a specific, immediate need. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type allows for price fluctuations. 5. No small business set-aside indicated for this specific award. 6. Contract falls under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 7. Geographic location for delivery is Washington, D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period appears high for office supplies, suggesting a large quantity or specialized items. Without specific item details or comparison to similar large-volume office supply contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The FPEPA clause introduces potential for cost increases, which warrants monitoring. The award to a specific non-profit organization may indicate a mission-oriented procurement rather than purely cost-driven.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is listed as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Given the award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., it is likely a sole-source or limited-source award, potentially leveraging specific capabilities or a mission-driven procurement. The lack of open competition means price discovery through market forces was not utilized.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract. Without multiple bids, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Federal agencies in Washington, D.C. will receive office supplies and stationery. The contract supports the mission of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. by providing employment opportunities for individuals who are blind. The primary beneficiaries are government offices requiring essential supplies for daily operations. The contract ensures the availability of necessary office materials, contributing to the continuity of government functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for above-market pricing due to sole-source nature.
Economic Price Adjustment clause could lead to cost overruns.
Lack of competition limits transparency in pricing.

Positive Signals

Supports a non-profit organization dedicated to employing individuals who are blind.
Ensures supply chain continuity for essential office goods.
Awarded under an existing BPA Call, suggesting established procurement channels.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and equipment sector, which is a significant component of government procurement. The market for office supplies is generally competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. However, specific awards to non-profit organizations or through specialized channels can deviate from typical market dynamics. Government spending on office supplies is consistent, driven by the operational needs of federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. The contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a non-profit organization. While not a small business set-aside, the award aligns with federal objectives to support organizations that employ individuals with disabilities. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it operates under the umbrella of a larger BPA. Accountability measures would include performance monitoring against the terms of the contract, delivery schedules, and quality of goods. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details should be available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies
Stationery
General Services Administration Procurement
Blanket Purchase Agreements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
FPEPA clause introduces potential for cost increases.
High dollar value for a short contract duration requires scrutiny.
Limited public information on specific items procured.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,294.08 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. G4 PANT, MC, 34 REGULAR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13,294.08.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical price range for office supplies procured through similar sole-source contracts or by non-profit organizations serving the blind?

Determining a precise 'typical' price range for sole-source office supply contracts is challenging due to the inherent lack of comparative data. However, government contracts for office supplies, when competed, often yield prices that are benchmarked against commercial price lists or negotiated rates. Awards to organizations like The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. may incorporate factors beyond pure cost, such as supporting a social mission, which could influence pricing. Without specific line-item details for the $13.3 million award, it's difficult to benchmark against standard office supply costs. The FPEPA clause also introduces variability. Generally, sole-source awards can sometimes be at a premium compared to fully competed contracts due to the absence of competitive pressure to reduce prices.

How does the 7-day duration of this contract impact the overall value assessment?

The extremely short duration of 7 days for a $13.3 million contract suggests a very specific and potentially urgent requirement for a large volume of office supplies. This could indicate a one-time bulk purchase, a critical stock-up for a specific event or period, or the fulfillment of an immediate operational need. It makes a direct comparison to longer-term, regularly replenished supply contracts difficult. The value assessment must consider the quantity and type of supplies needed within that tight timeframe. It's possible this is a call against a larger, pre-negotiated BPA for emergency or high-demand situations, where the short duration is intentional for rapid deployment.

What are the specific risks associated with the Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) clause in this contract?

The primary risk associated with the FPEPA clause is the potential for cost increases to the government if market prices for the specified office supplies rise during the contract period. While it protects the contractor from unforeseen cost escalations, it shifts that risk to the government. For taxpayers, this means the final cost could exceed the initial $13.3 million estimate, depending on inflation and market fluctuations for paper, ink, pens, and other stationery items. Effective oversight would involve monitoring the economic indicators used for price adjustments and ensuring they accurately reflect market conditions.

What is the track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for office supplies?

The provided data does not include specific historical performance details for The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. regarding federal contracts. However, as an organization with a long-standing mission to employ individuals who are blind, it is likely experienced in managing operations and fulfilling orders. Federal agencies often partner with such organizations through specific programs or sole-source awards, suggesting a level of trust and established capability. A deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS-NG would be necessary to analyze their past performance, delivery timeliness, and any reported issues on previous government contracts.

How does this contract compare to overall federal spending on office supplies and stationery?

Federal spending on office supplies and stationery is substantial, often running into hundreds of millions of dollars annually across various agencies. This $13.3 million award, while significant for a single contract, represents a fraction of the total government expenditure in this category. The GSA manages a large portion of this spending through various vehicles, including GWACs, IDIQs, and BPAs. This specific contract, awarded via a BPA Call, fits within the broader framework of GSA's efforts to streamline procurement for common goods like office supplies, often leveraging established relationships and specific socio-economic goals.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call?

Awarding this contract as a BPA Call means it is a task order issued under a pre-existing, broader Blanket Purchase Agreement. BPAs are established between agencies and vendors to streamline the process of purchasing commonly needed supplies or services. This approach simplifies procurement by having pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and potentially pricing. For this specific award, it suggests that GSA and The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. had an existing BPA in place, and this $13.3 million order is a specific call against that agreement, likely for a defined quantity or period, as indicated by the short duration.

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: 2501 S PLUM ST, SEATTLE, WA, 98144

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: $13,294

Exercised Options: $13,294

Current Obligation: $13,294

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline