GSA Awards $13,294 for Office Supplies to 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 for office supplies and stationery. 2. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is the contractor. 3. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 4. Contract duration is 7 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is $13,294.08 for a 7-day period. Without specific unit pricing or comparison data, it's difficult to assess if this represents excellent value. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces some cost uncertainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a BPA Call. This suggests a limited competition approach, potentially impacting price discovery and overall cost-effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for office supplies. The limited competition may result in a higher cost than a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of essential office supplies. Supports a specific vendor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Short duration suggests an immediate or urgent need. Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement

Positive Signals

Supports a designated organization (Lighthouse for the Blind)
Procurement through established GSA schedule/BPA

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores' sector (NAICS 453210). Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by routine operational needs across government agencies. Benchmarks would typically focus on per-unit costs for common office items.

Small Business Impact

The contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a non-profit organization that employs individuals with blindness and disabilities. While not a traditional small business, it serves a similar social mission and is often prioritized in government contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made under a GSA Federal Acquisition Service BPA Call, indicating adherence to established procurement procedures. Oversight would focus on ensuring the supplies meet specifications and the pricing remains reasonable throughout the contract term.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement

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 specific breakdown of items and their unit costs within this $13,294 award to ensure value for money?

A detailed breakdown of items and unit costs is crucial for a thorough value assessment. Without this, it's challenging to benchmark against market rates or other government contracts. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure further complicates a definitive value judgment, as final costs could fluctuate.

What were the specific circumstances that led to a limited competition award for these office supplies?

Understanding the reasons for limited competition is key to assessing risk. Was it an emergency, a specific requirement only met by this vendor, or a failure to adequately solicit other sources? The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and 'BPA CALL' notations suggest a pre-existing agreement or a specific procurement path was followed, but the rationale for not seeking broader competition needs clarification.

How does the economic price adjustment clause impact the final cost and taxpayer exposure for this short-term contract?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for price changes based on economic factors, potentially increasing the final cost beyond the initial estimate. For a short 7-day contract, the impact might be minimal, but it introduces uncertainty. The specific index or formula used in the EPA will determine the extent of potential cost increases and taxpayer exposure.

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