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 suggests a need for routine operational support. 3. Short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates a potential for rapid re-competition or urgent need. 4. The award is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger pre-negotiated agreement. 5. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces potential for cost fluctuations. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period appears high on a daily basis, but without knowing the specific quantity and type of supplies ordered, a direct comparison is difficult. The use of an Economic Price Adjustment clause means the final cost could vary. Benchmarking against similar large-scale office supply contracts would be necessary to determine true value for money. The award to a single entity without competition limits the ability to assess if the government secured the best possible pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a BPA Call. The data indicates it was a sole-source award, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This approach bypasses the typical competitive bidding process, which could lead to higher prices than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract. The lack of competition means price discovery was limited to the terms offered by the single awardee.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective pricing due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms was likely constrained by the sole-source nature of the award.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring office supplies and stationery will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of essential office materials. The geographic impact is likely national, given the General Services Administration's role. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on goods rather than services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces uncertainty in final cost.
Short contract duration could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. may support a social enterprise mission.
GSA's role ensures a streamlined procurement process for federal agencies.
BPA Call mechanism allows for quick access to pre-negotiated terms.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery sector is a mature market with numerous suppliers. Federal agencies are significant consumers of these goods, with GSA often acting as a central procurement body. Contracts in this space range from small, agency-specific orders to large, multi-year agreements. The value of this specific award, $13.3 million, is substantial for a short-term requirement, suggesting a significant volume of goods or high-value specialized items. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing unit prices for common items like paper, pens, and toner against GSA schedules or other large federal contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The awardee, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a non-profit organization that employs individuals with blindness and visual impairments, which may have implications for its internal operations and workforce composition, but not directly as a small business set-aside. The lack of a set-aside means opportunities for small businesses in this specific procurement were not prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). Transparency is typically maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would fall under GSA's internal review processes and potentially the GSA Office of Inspector General (OIG) if performance issues or fraud were suspected. The use of a BPA Call suggests adherence to pre-established terms and conditions, which are subject to oversight.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal BPA Calls
Procurement for Non-Profits

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
High value for short duration warrants scrutiny.
Economic Price Adjustment 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 specific track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts of this magnitude?

The provided data indicates The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. was awarded this $13.3 million contract. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into historical federal procurement data would be necessary. This would involve searching databases like FPDS-NG for previous awards to this contractor, examining contract performance reports (if publicly available), and looking for any past performance issues or commendations. Without this historical context, it's difficult to definitively state their track record. However, their designation as a provider for the blind suggests a mission-driven organization that may have specific capabilities or partnerships that influence their contract performance.

How does the $13.3 million value for a 7-day contract compare to similar office supply procurements?

A $13.3 million contract value for a mere 7-day duration is exceptionally high on a per-diem basis. For context, typical daily spending on office supplies for a large federal agency might range from tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars, depending on the agency's size and needs. A $13.3 million contract usually spans months or years. This short duration suggests either an extremely urgent, large-scale, one-time need, or that this 'BPA Call' is drawing down a significant pre-negotiated ceiling amount for a very concentrated period of delivery. Without knowing the specific quantities and types of items procured, a precise comparison is challenging, but the value-to-duration ratio is highly unusual and warrants further investigation into the specific circumstances of the award.

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. Without competition, the government loses the leverage to negotiate the best possible prices, as vendors are not incentivized to undercut competitors. This can lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for goods. Another risk is reduced innovation and service quality, as the sole provider may face less pressure to improve offerings. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or planning, potentially leading to missed opportunities for better value or more strategic sourcing. The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in this contract adds another layer of risk, as costs could increase beyond initial projections.

How effective is the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service in managing office supply contracts?

The General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is generally considered effective in managing a wide range of federal contracts, including those for office supplies. FAS leverages bulk purchasing power and established schedules (like GSA Schedules) to provide agencies with access to a variety of goods and services, often at negotiated prices. Their expertise in procurement processes aims to ensure compliance and efficiency. However, the effectiveness can vary depending on the specific contract type and procurement strategy. For instance, sole-source awards, like the one detailed here, inherently limit the competitive benefits FAS typically facilitates. While FAS provides a framework, the success of individual contracts also depends on the specific terms negotiated and the diligence applied in oversight.

What are the historical spending patterns for office supplies through GSA?

Historical spending patterns for office supplies through GSA reveal a consistent and substantial demand from federal agencies. GSA utilizes various mechanisms, including GSA Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), to fulfill these needs. Spending typically fluctuates based on agency budgets, operational requirements, and the introduction of new technologies or procurement policies. While specific aggregate figures require detailed analysis of historical GSA data, it's evident that office supplies represent a significant, recurring expenditure category. The trend has also been towards consolidating spend and encouraging the use of preferred vendors and online ordering platforms to streamline processes and potentially achieve better pricing, although the effectiveness of these strategies can be debated, especially in cases of non-competitive awards.

What is the significance of the 'BPA CALL' award type in this context?

A 'BPA CALL' signifies that this contract is a specific order placed against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established by federal agencies to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased items or services from a specific vendor or vendors. They are not contracts in themselves but rather agreements that set forth terms, conditions, and pricing for future orders. A 'BPA CALL' is essentially a task order issued under that BPA. In this case, it means that The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. and GSA had a prior BPA in place, and this $13.3 million award represents a specific call or order against that agreement. This method is often used for efficiency and to secure favorable pricing through pre-negotiated terms, though the underlying BPA itself may or may not have been competitively established.

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