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 source provider, raising questions about price competitiveness. 2. The contract duration is short, suggesting potential for future re-competition or adjustments. 3. Focus on office supplies indicates a need for essential operational materials. 4. The award is a BPA Call, a type of task order under an existing agreement. 5. The contractor has a history of receiving federal awards, indicating established relationships. 6. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, which can buffer against inflation but may increase overall cost.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific unit pricing details or comparison to similar sole-source awards. The fixed price with economic price adjustment suggests a potential for cost increases over the contract term, which warrants careful monitoring. Given the nature of office supplies, the overall value is likely tied to the breadth of items offered and the reliability of delivery.

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 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. The 'sole-source' designation implies that only one vendor was solicited or considered for this award. This approach is typically used when specific circumstances justify bypassing full and open competition, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs compared to a competed contract.

Public Impact

Federal agencies in Washington D.C. will benefit from a reliable supply of office and stationery items. The contract ensures the availability of essential office supplies for daily operations. The geographic impact is primarily focused on the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The contract supports the workforce of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., a social enterprise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost escalation.
Short contract duration might indicate a need for reassessment of requirements or vendor performance.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a social enterprise, aligning with government initiatives to aid disadvantaged populations.
The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a demonstrated history of serving federal needs.
BPA Call structure allows for streamlined ordering of necessary supplies.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery stores sector (NAICS 453210) is a mature market with numerous providers. Federal spending in this category is consistent, driven by the ongoing need for basic office consumables across all government agencies. This contract represents a small portion of the overall federal expenditure on office supplies, which often includes a mix of competed and non-competed awards, including those set aside for specific business types.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the prime contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is not typically classified as a small business. However, as a social enterprise, it may have specific programs or partnerships that involve small businesses in subcontracting, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into their subcontracting plans would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it is an order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms and conditions, and proper utilization of the economic price adjustment clause. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases, but detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies
Stationery
General Services Administration Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements
Social Enterprise Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Economic price adjustment clause introduces cost uncertainty

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 historical spending pattern for office supplies with The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.?

Historical spending data for The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. with the General Services Administration (GSA) indicates a consistent relationship for providing office supplies. While specific dollar amounts for past contracts are not detailed here, the existence of this current award, designated as a BPA Call, suggests a pattern of utilizing this vendor for such needs. Federal procurement databases would likely show a series of awards over time, potentially including other contract vehicles or task orders. The sustained relationship implies satisfactory performance and alignment with GSA's procurement strategies, which may include supporting specific socio-economic goals through vendors like The Lighthouse for the Blind.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar sole-source awards for office supplies?

Direct comparison of pricing for this sole-source contract to similar awards is difficult without access to detailed pricing structures and the specific scope of goods offered by other vendors. Sole-source awards inherently lack the price discovery mechanism of open competition. However, the inclusion of an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause suggests that the initial price is set with the expectation of potential increases due to market fluctuations. To assess value, one would need to benchmark the unit prices of common office supplies against GSA Schedule pricing or other government-wide contracts, considering the contractor's mission-driven nature which may influence their pricing strategy.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for office supplies?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for office supplies is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. Taxpayers may end up paying more than they would if multiple vendors had bid on the contract. Another risk is a potential decrease in service quality or product variety if the sole provider faces no incentive to innovate or maintain high standards. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vulnerability if the contractor experiences disruptions in supply or operations. The economic price adjustment clause also introduces risk of cost escalation beyond initial projections.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in meeting agency needs for office supplies?

The effectiveness of this contract in meeting agency needs for office supplies is likely to be high in terms of reliability and accessibility, given the contractor's established role and the nature of the goods. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a history of serving federal agencies, suggesting they possess the logistical capabilities to fulfill orders promptly. The BPA Call mechanism streamlines the ordering process. However, the effectiveness in terms of cost-efficiency is questionable due to the sole-source nature. While essential supplies will be procured, the government may not be achieving the best possible value compared to a competitive scenario.

How does the contract type (Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment) impact the overall cost and risk?

The Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) contract type aims to balance cost certainty with flexibility. The 'Fixed Price' component provides a baseline cost, while the 'EPA' allows for adjustments based on predefined economic factors, typically inflation indices. This mitigates the risk of significant price increases for the government if market conditions change drastically, which is beneficial for essential but potentially volatile goods like office supplies. However, it also means the final cost is not fixed and could be higher than initially budgeted. The risk is shared: the contractor is protected from unexpected cost increases, and the government is protected from extreme price hikes while still potentially paying more than a firm fixed price contract might yield in stable markets.

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