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 provider, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. Focus on office supplies and stationery indicates a need for routine operational support. 3. Short duration of the contract (7 days) suggests an immediate or urgent requirement. 4. The award is a BPA Call, implying it's part of a larger agreement. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific call. 6. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, which can buffer against inflation but may increase final costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period for office supplies appears high on a daily basis. Benchmarking against similar GSA schedules for office supplies would be necessary to determine if the overall value is competitive. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces potential for cost increases beyond initial estimates, making a definitive value assessment challenging without further data on the specific items procured and market conditions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and is listed as a BPA Call. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, coupled with the sole-source nature of this specific call, suggests that competition may have been limited or bypassed for this particular award. Further investigation into the parent BPA and the justification for not competing this call would be needed to fully understand the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this significant dollar amount means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible prices achievable through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring office supplies and stationery will benefit from this contract. Services delivered include the provision of essential office materials. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal operations across various locations. Workforce implications are minimal for this specific contract, primarily involving logistics and distribution of goods.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for not competing this BPA call.
Economic price adjustment clause could lead to costs exceeding initial projections.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal operations.
Award to an organization supporting a specific mission (The Lighthouse for the Blind) may align with social or mission-oriented procurement goals.
BPA Call structure allows for rapid procurement of needed items.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery sector is a mature market with numerous suppliers. Federal agencies rely heavily on these goods for daily operations. GSA schedules, like the one this BPA call likely falls under, are designed to streamline procurement for common goods and services. The total federal spending on office supplies is substantial, and contracts like this represent a portion of that expenditure, aiming for efficiency and consolidated purchasing power.

Small Business Impact

This specific contract award did not utilize a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is an organization that supports individuals with visual impairments, and while it may employ individuals with disabilities, it is not typically categorized as a small business for set-aside purposes. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this BPA call.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. The BPA structure itself implies a level of pre-negotiated terms and conditions. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific items procured would be key to assessing accountability. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
BPA Calls
Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
High daily cost implication due to short duration and significant total value.
Potential for cost overruns due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.

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 justification for awarding this BPA Call on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and is a 'BPA CALL'. Without further documentation, the specific justification for a sole-source award is unknown. Typically, sole-source awards require a documented justification, such as the existence of only one responsible source, or in rare cases, an urgent and compelling need that precludes competition. For GSA Schedule procurements, calls against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) can sometimes be issued without full open competition if the parent BPA allows for it and the specific call meets certain criteria. However, the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' suggests it might fall outside standard competitive procedures, warranting a review of the parent BPA's terms and the specific justification filed for this call.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar office supply contracts awarded by GSA?

A direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the specific items and quantities procured under this $13.3 million, 7-day BPA Call. However, the contract type, Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FP-EPA), suggests that the base price is set, but can be adjusted based on economic factors (e.g., inflation). This can lead to higher final costs compared to a firm fixed price contract if market conditions rise significantly. To benchmark, one would need to compare the unit prices of common office supplies (pens, paper, toner) against other GSA Schedule contracts or open market data for similar items, considering the potential impact of the FP-EPA clause on the final price paid.

What are the potential risks associated with the Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FP-EPA) contract type for this procurement?

The primary risk associated with the FP-EPA contract type for office supplies is cost uncertainty for the government. While it protects the contractor from unexpected cost increases due to inflation or other economic factors, it means the final price paid by the government could be significantly higher than the initially estimated price. For routine items like office supplies, where market prices can fluctuate, this clause introduces a layer of unpredictability. Taxpayers bear the risk of paying more if economic conditions lead to price adjustments. The government's ability to manage and validate these price adjustments is crucial to mitigate this risk.

What is the historical spending pattern for office supplies through GSA, and how does this award fit in?

GSA facilitates billions of dollars in spending annually for office supplies and related items through various contract vehicles, including Federal Supply Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). This $13.3 million award for a 7-day period represents a significant, albeit short-term, expenditure. It suggests a substantial, immediate need for these supplies within the agencies served by this BPA. Without knowing the total value and duration of the parent BPA, it's hard to place this single call in a long-term spending context. However, such awards are typical for ensuring agencies have necessary operational resources, especially when consolidated through GSA.

What is the track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated as a federal contractor, particularly for office supplies?

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated has a history of receiving federal contracts, often leveraging programs like the AbilityOne program, which prioritizes procurement from non-profit agencies employing individuals with disabilities. Their track record likely includes providing various goods and services, potentially including office supplies. To assess their performance specifically for this type of contract, one would need to review past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any reported issues or successes on similar GSA Schedule or BPA awards. Their mission-driven nature may influence their operational approach and pricing strategies.

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