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, 32 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, 32 REGULAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single provider, raising questions about price competitiveness. 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 temporary need. 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 contractor, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., has a mission-driven focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period appears high for office supplies, suggesting this may be a call against a larger Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) with pre-negotiated rates. Without access to the underlying BPA or comparable contract data for similar quantities and types of office supplies, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the absence of competition for this specific call warrants scrutiny of the pricing against market rates for bulk office supplies.

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 award is a BPA Call, which can sometimes be issued on a sole-source basis if the underlying BPA was established through full and open competition and this call is within its scope. However, the specific details of the competition for this particular call are not provided, suggesting it may have been awarded without soliciting additional bids.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this specific call means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the lowest possible prices that could have been achieved 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 office supplies and stationery. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal operations across various locations. Workforce implications are minimal for this specific contract, primarily involving the contractor's staff for fulfillment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
High dollar value for a very short contract duration raises questions about necessity and pricing.
Lack of transparency regarding the underlying BPA and its competitive history.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a mission-driven organization, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal operations.
BPA Call structure may indicate efficient procurement within an existing framework.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery sector is a mature market with numerous providers. Federal agencies are significant consumers, often procuring through large-scale agreements like BPAs. The General Services Administration (GSA) plays a crucial role in facilitating these procurements, aiming for efficiency and value. This contract, valued at $13.3 million for a short period, represents a substantial call against an existing agreement, highlighting the scale of federal demand for these essential goods.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to negative, as opportunities were not specifically directed towards small businesses for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms and the BPA structure. Transparency is limited by the lack of detailed competition information for this specific call. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
High Value for Short Duration
Potential Pricing Concerns

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

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a history of serving federal agencies, often through contracts that align with its mission to employ individuals with visual impairments and other disabilities. While specific data on their performance for office supplies under BPAs is not detailed here, their established presence suggests experience in government contracting. Federal agencies often leverage mission-driven contractors to meet specific social and economic goals alongside procurement needs. Further analysis would require examining past performance evaluations and contract completion records specific to office supply deliveries to ensure consistent quality and timely fulfillment.

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

A $13.3 million value for a 7-day contract is exceptionally high for standard office supplies, strongly indicating that this is a call against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) rather than a standalone procurement. Standalone contracts for office supplies of this duration are typically much smaller. The high value suggests a significant volume of goods or services being drawn down rapidly, possibly to meet an urgent, large-scale requirement across multiple federal entities covered by the BPA. Benchmarking this specific call is difficult without knowing the underlying BPA's terms, negotiated rates, and the specific items ordered. However, the efficiency of the BPA mechanism is intended to streamline such large-volume, short-notice needs.

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

The primary risk associated with a sole-source BPA call for office supplies is the potential for suboptimal pricing. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the most competitive rates, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. Another risk is a lack of transparency into the true market value of the goods and services being procured. Furthermore, if the underlying BPA was not established through robust full and open competition, subsequent sole-source calls could perpetuate a non-competitive environment. Ensuring the contractor's performance meets expectations and that the goods are of adequate quality also remains a consideration, though typically mitigated by past performance reviews.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in ensuring the availability of essential office supplies?

This contract is expected to be highly effective in ensuring the availability of essential office supplies, given its substantial value and the nature of a BPA call. BPAs are designed to streamline the procurement process for recurring needs, allowing agencies to quickly access pre-negotiated goods and services. The award to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., a known entity in government contracting, further suggests a reliable supply chain. The short duration implies an immediate need is being met, preventing disruptions in federal agency operations that rely on these supplies. The effectiveness hinges on the contractor's ability to fulfill orders promptly and accurately as per the BPA terms.

How does this contract fit into the broader historical spending patterns for office supplies by the GSA?

This contract represents a single, albeit large, transaction within the broader context of GSA's historical spending on office supplies. GSA consistently spends billions annually on office supplies and related items through various contract vehicles, including FSS schedules and BPAs. Spending patterns are influenced by federal workforce size, agency needs, and procurement strategies. A $13.3 million BPA call, while significant for its duration, is a component of this larger spending picture. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in the types of supplies procured, average prices paid, and the mix of competitive versus non-competitive awards, providing context for this specific transaction's place within GSA's overall procurement strategy.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. regarding social value and mission fulfillment?

Awarding this contract to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. carries significant social value implications. This organization's mission is to create jobs and provide services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. By contracting with them, the federal government supports this mission, contributing to employment opportunities and economic empowerment for a population that often faces barriers to employment. This aligns with federal procurement goals that encourage supporting mission-driven organizations and promoting diversity in the contracting workforce. The contract thus serves a dual purpose: fulfilling the government's need for office supplies while simultaneously advancing social objectives.

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