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. Limited competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers. 3. The contract duration is short, suggesting potential for re-competition or adjustments. 4. Focus on office supplies indicates a need for essential operational materials. 5. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework. 6. The contractor's mission aligns with supporting individuals with blindness, a social benefit.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.3 million for a 7-day period is substantial for office supplies. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure introduces some risk of cost escalation. However, the short duration might mitigate significant overspending if managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the 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 lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a range of pricing options and potentially secure better deals.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium compared to what might be achieved through open competition, as the government does not benefit from multiple bids driving down prices.

Public Impact

Federal agencies in Washington D.C. will receive essential office supplies. The contract supports the operational needs of various government offices. It provides employment opportunities for individuals, potentially those with visual impairments, through the contractor. The services delivered are critical for the day-to-day functioning of government operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases.
Short contract duration could lead to frequent re-procurement efforts and administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a mission-driven organization, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.
BPA Call structure suggests an existing relationship and potentially streamlined ordering process.
Awarding to an organization with a social mission can be seen as a positive societal outcome.

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, supporting the daily operational needs of government agencies. This contract, awarded via a BPA Call, fits within the broader category of general administrative support services procured by the GSA. Benchmarking against other similar GSA schedules or contracts for office supplies would be necessary for a full value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., and the data indicates it was not competed and the small business set-aside flag is false. Therefore, there is no direct indication of small business subcontracting requirements or set-aside benefits within this specific award. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem is minimal for this particular transaction, as it bypassed standard competitive small business channels.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has established terms and conditions. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure requires monitoring of price changes. Transparency is moderate, as the award is publicly visible, but the lack of competition limits detailed public scrutiny of the pricing justification.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Office Supplies Procurement
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Unusually short contract duration for value

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 historical spending pattern for office supplies through GSA?

Historical spending data for office supplies through GSA reveals a consistent demand driven by the operational needs of federal agencies. GSA utilizes various contract vehicles, including Schedules and BPAs, to procure these items efficiently. While specific dollar amounts fluctuate annually based on agency requirements and economic conditions, the category remains a significant component of GSA's overall spending. Analyzing past awards within NAICS code 453210 can provide insights into average contract values, typical durations, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards. This historical context is crucial for evaluating whether the current $13.3 million award for a short duration is an anomaly or part of a trend, and whether it represents a fair market price compared to previous procurements.

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

Direct price comparison is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award. Competitively awarded contracts for office supplies typically involve multiple bidders vying for the contract, which generally drives prices down. Without a competitive bidding process for this $13.3 million award, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing is optimal. Benchmarking against GSA Schedule contracts or other competitively awarded BPAs for similar quantities and types of office supplies would be necessary. If available data shows significantly higher unit prices compared to competitive contracts, it would indicate potential overspending and a lack of value for money for the taxpayer. The economic price adjustment clause also adds a layer of uncertainty regarding the final cost.

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

The primary risk of a sole-source award for essential office supplies is the potential for inflated pricing. When competition is absent, the government loses the leverage to negotiate the best possible prices. This can lead to taxpayers bearing higher costs than necessary. Another risk is reduced innovation and service quality, as the sole provider may have less incentive to improve offerings. Furthermore, sole-source awards can create a dependency on a single vendor, making it difficult to switch providers if performance issues arise or if better alternatives become available. The short duration of this contract mitigates some long-term risk but necessitates frequent re-procurement, which carries its own administrative costs and potential for similar non-competitive awards.

What is the track record of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. as a federal contractor?

The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. has a history of contracting with the federal government, often leveraging its status as a non-profit organization focused on employing individuals with visual impairments. Federal agencies frequently procure goods and services from such organizations through specific programs designed to support these missions, sometimes through non-competitive means. Analyzing past performance data, including contract values, types of goods/services provided, and any reported performance issues or successes, would offer insight into their reliability and capability. While this specific award is for office supplies, their broader federal contracting history can indicate their capacity to manage large-value contracts and meet government requirements effectively.

How does the short duration (7 days) impact the overall value and risk of this contract?

The extremely short duration of this contract (7 days) is highly unusual for a $13.3 million award. This suggests it might be an emergency procurement, a bridge contract to cover an immediate need while a longer-term solution is sought, or a specific call against an existing BPA for a very time-sensitive requirement. The short duration significantly limits the potential for long-term price escalation due to the economic price adjustment clause. However, it also means the government will need to re-procure these supplies shortly, incurring additional administrative costs and potentially facing similar non-competitive situations. The value proposition is thus tied to meeting an immediate, critical need rather than securing long-term cost savings or stable supply.

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