GSA awards $13,289 for Thermoflex supplies to Lighthouse for the Blind via BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,289 ($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: 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, MD

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,289.25 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, MD Key points: 1. Contract awarded for office supplies, a common government need. 2. The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Potential risk associated with non-competed award under SAP. 4. Spending falls within the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value is relatively small ($13,289). However, without a competitive benchmark or more detailed cost breakdown, assessing value for money is difficult. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure warrants scrutiny.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The award was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and is a BPA Call. This suggests a limited competition approach, potentially bypassing a more robust solicitation process. The impact on price discovery is likely negative, as market forces were not fully leveraged.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer impact is minimal due to the small contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent for potentially less efficient future awards.

Public Impact

Ensures supply of essential office materials. Supports a specific social enterprise (Lighthouse for the Blind). Limited transparency in the procurement process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Limited transparency
Economic price adjustment clause

Positive Signals

Supports social enterprise
Addresses essential need

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210). Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by recurring needs for administrative and operational materials across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a social enterprise that employs individuals with blindness and other disabilities. While not a traditional small business, it serves a similar societal purpose.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which is a mechanism for streamlining purchases. Oversight is needed to ensure that BPA calls are used appropriately and do not circumvent full and open competition requirements.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing due to EPA
Limited transparency in award justification
BPA call potentially circumventing competitive processes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,289.25 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. 3MM THERMOFLEX FULL, MD

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 $13,289.25.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the justification for not competing this BPA call under SAP, and how does the pricing compare to similar non-competed awards?

The justification for not competing under SAP is not provided in the data. Without a competitive benchmark or details on the economic price adjustment, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is fair. Similar non-competed awards often carry a price premium due to the lack of market pressure, making comparison crucial for value assessment.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type for office supplies?

The primary risk with an economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if inflation or market prices for raw materials increase significantly during the contract period. For relatively stable goods like office supplies, an EPA might be unnecessary and could inflate costs beyond market norms.

How effective is the use of BPA calls for procuring common office supplies compared to traditional competitive solicitations?

BPA calls can be effective for streamlining the procurement of common, recurring items like office supplies, offering faster delivery and reduced administrative burden. However, their effectiveness in ensuring the best value for taxpayers is questionable if they consistently bypass competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher prices and less innovation.

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: $13,289

Exercised Options: $13,289

Current Obligation: $13,289

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline