GSA awards $4.1M contract for plastic film wrap, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,061 ($4.1K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-06

Contract Duration: 3 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM OVERALL WIDTH 20.000 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 6000.0 FEET GAUGE 80 (0.800 MIL) UNIT DESIGN FOR PROTECTION OF BOXES, PACKAGES AND PALLETIZED LOADS USAGE FORM ROLL OVERALL COLOR CLEAR OVERALL MATERIAL PLAST

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,060.8 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM OVERALL WIDTH 20.000 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 6000.0 FEET GAUGE 80 (0.800 MIL) UNIT DESIGN FOR PROTECTION OF BOXES, PACKAGES AND PALLETIZED LOADS USAGE FORM ROLL OVERALL COLOR CLEAR OVERALL MATERIAL PLAST Key points: 1. The contract for plastic film wrap was awarded on a non-competitive basis. 2. The duration of the contract is unusually short, spanning only three days. 3. The specific item is described as a large roll of clear plastic film for packaging. 4. The awarded amount of $4,040.80 appears to be for a single delivery order. 5. The contractor, Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting. 6. The contract falls under the 'Other Warehousing and Storage' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to its limited scope and non-competitive nature. The price of $4,040.80 for a single delivery order of plastic film wrap, while seemingly small, lacks sufficient detail for a robust value assessment. Without comparable bids or a clear understanding of the specific quantity and quality requirements, it's difficult to determine if this represents a fair market price. The short duration also suggests a potential need for immediate supply rather than a long-term strategic procurement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a 'not available for competition' basis, indicating a sole-source procurement. This means that the General Services Administration (GSA) did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a range of pricing options and potentially secure a more favorable deal. It also raises questions about whether a competitive process was truly not feasible or if other factors influenced the sole-source decision.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. This approach can lead to higher costs compared to what might be achieved in an open market scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies requiring packaging materials for shipping and storage. The service delivered is the provision of plastic film wrap for protection of goods. The geographic impact is not specified but is likely limited to the delivery location of the GSA. There are no immediate workforce implications associated with this specific contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer dollars.
The short contract duration (3 days) suggests a potential lack of strategic planning or an urgent, unforecasted need.
Limited information on the specific product requirements makes it difficult to assess the appropriateness of the chosen supplier.
The contractor, Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC, appears to be a relatively new entity in federal contracting, warranting further due diligence on their capabilities and past performance.

Positive Signals

The contract is for a standard, readily available commodity (plastic film wrap), which generally presents lower execution risk.
The awarded amount is relatively small, mitigating significant financial risk to the government.
The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), an agency with established procurement processes.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of packaging materials like plastic film wrap falls under the broader category of supplies and logistics within the federal sector. This specific contract is categorized under NAICS code 493190, 'Other Warehousing and Storage,' which encompasses a range of services related to storing goods. While the direct spending on this particular item is modest, it represents a small fraction of the government's overall expenditure on supplies and logistics, which can run into billions of dollars annually across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the information provided. The contractor, Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC, is identified as a limited liability company, but its size status (small or large business) is not specified. The lack of a small business set-aside suggests that larger businesses or those not specifically designated for small business participation were eligible and potentially awarded this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (though the base vehicle is not detailed), oversight would focus on ensuring timely delivery, adherence to specifications, and proper invoicing. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature and the short duration, making detailed public scrutiny challenging. There is no specific mention of an Inspector General's involvement at this stage, but GSA OIG would have jurisdiction over potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Packaging and Packing Supplies
Logistics and Warehousing Services
Federal Supply Schedule

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Short contract duration
Limited contractor performance history available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,060.8 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM OVERALL WIDTH 20.000 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 6000.0 FEET GAUGE 80 (0.800 MIL) UNIT DESIGN FOR PROTECTION OF BOXES, PACKAGES AND PALLETIZED LOADS USAGE FORM ROLL OVERALL COLOR CLEAR OVERALL MATERIAL PLAST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,060.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-06.

What is the track record of Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC with federal contracts?

Information regarding the federal contracting track record of Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC is limited. As a relatively new entity in this space, it is difficult to assess their past performance, reliability, and experience with government procurements. Further investigation into their registration status, any prior awards (even if small or non-competitive), and any available performance reviews would be necessary to form a comprehensive opinion. The current award is a single delivery order, which provides minimal data for evaluating their capabilities over time or across different contract types.

How does the price of $4,040.80 for plastic film wrap compare to market rates for similar government contracts?

Directly comparing the $4,040.80 price for this specific plastic film wrap contract to market rates is challenging without more detailed specifications of the product (e.g., exact dimensions, thickness, quantity per roll, total footage). However, given that this is a single delivery order for a commodity item and was awarded non-competitively, there is a risk that the price may not be optimized. Federal agencies often procure such supplies through GSA Schedules or other competitive vehicles where pricing is pre-negotiated or subject to open bidding, which typically yields better value. The absence of competitive bids for this specific award makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for packaging materials?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for packaging materials is the potential for paying a higher price than could be obtained through competition. Without multiple bids, the government loses the leverage to negotiate better terms and pricing. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or an inability to identify suitable vendors, which could point to broader inefficiencies in the procurement process. For commodity items like plastic wrap, where multiple suppliers typically exist, a sole-source award warrants scrutiny to ensure it was truly justified and not simply a matter of convenience or pre-existing relationships.

What is the significance of the short contract duration (3 days)?

The extremely short contract duration of three days (April 3, 2026, to April 6, 2026) for this plastic film wrap delivery order is highly unusual for standard procurement. It suggests an urgent, immediate need for the supplies, possibly to cover an unexpected shortage or a time-sensitive project requirement. This short timeframe also limits the feasibility of a competitive bidding process, which might explain the sole-source award. From a taxpayer perspective, such short-term, urgent needs can sometimes lead to premium pricing if not managed effectively, although the overall dollar amount here is modest.

How does this contract fit within the broader context of GSA's role in providing supplies?

This contract represents a small component of the General Services Administration's (GSA) vast mission to provide centralized procurement and management of government assets and services. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for offering a wide range of products and services, including office supplies, IT equipment, and logistics support, often through GSA Schedules. While this specific award is a delivery order and not a large-scale contract, it exemplifies GSA's role in ensuring agencies have access to necessary supplies. However, the non-competitive nature of this particular award raises questions about the efficiency and value-for-money achieved in this instance, compared to GSA's broader goals of promoting competition and cost savings.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Warehousing and Storage › Other Warehousing and Storage

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,061

Exercised Options: $4,061

Current Obligation: $4,061

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC25D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline