GSA Awards $28.5K for 30 Work Pants to MSC Industrial Direct, Highlighting Hardware Store Sector Spending

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,534 ($28.5K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-10

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 30 SHORT PANT WITH KNEE PAD

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28,534.26 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 30 SHORT PANT WITH KNEE PAD Key points: 1. Spending on work pants is relatively low, suggesting a niche requirement. 2. MSC Industrial Direct is a major supplier, indicating potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears low given the small contract value and standard item. 4. Hardware stores are a common sector for procuring such goods.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28,534.26 for 30 pairs of pants is reasonable. Benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts for durable workwear suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the inclusion of knee pads.

Cost Per Unit: $951.14

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing, ensuring the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the small contract size and competitive award process.

Public Impact

Provides essential protective gear for federal employees performing manual labor. Supports a key industry supplier, MSC Industrial Direct. Ensures operational readiness by equipping personnel with necessary work attire.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher per-unit cost if bulk discounts were not fully leveraged.
Limited duration of the contract might necessitate future procurements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Utilizes a firm fixed price contract type.
Procurement from a well-established industrial supplier.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the hardware and industrial supplies sector. Spending in this area is generally consistent, driven by the ongoing need for tools, safety equipment, and maintenance supplies across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

While MSC Industrial Direct is a large business, the procurement process itself, being full and open, allows for small business participation if they were capable of meeting the requirements. However, no specific small business set-aside was noted.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this procurement through its Federal Acquisition Service, utilizing a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This indicates established procedures and oversight for recurring needs.

Related Government Programs

Hardware Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost for work pants.
Limited contract duration.
Lack of specific details on material and durability.
Potential for better pricing through larger bulk orders or different contract vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28,534.26 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 30 SHORT PANT WITH KNEE PAD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28,534.26.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-10.

What is the expected lifespan and durability of these work pants to justify the per-unit cost?

The per-unit cost of $951.14 for work pants seems high. While the data specifies '30 SHORT PANT WITH KNEE PAD', further details on material quality, brand reputation, and expected durability are needed to assess if this price aligns with high-performance, long-lasting workwear suitable for demanding federal jobs, or if it represents an overpayment for standard apparel.

What specific federal roles or tasks necessitate these specialized work pants, and how does this impact overall operational risk?

The need for specialized work pants with knee pads suggests specific operational requirements, likely for roles involving kneeling or working in environments where leg protection is crucial. Understanding these roles helps assess if the procurement directly supports mission-critical functions. If these pants are essential for safety and productivity in high-risk environments, their timely and adequate procurement mitigates operational risk; conversely, if they are over-specified or unnecessarily expensive, it represents a financial risk.

How effectively does the BPA Call mechanism ensure competitive pricing for recurring needs like workwear compared to other contracting vehicles?

Using a BPA Call under a pre-established agreement can streamline the procurement process for recurring needs, potentially offering faster delivery and administrative savings. However, the effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on the initial competition for the BPA and whether subsequent calls continue to solicit competitive quotes or rely on pre-negotiated, potentially less aggressive, pricing. For workwear, continuous market research and periodic re-competition of the BPA are key to maximizing value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Hardware Stores

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 515 BROADHOLLOW RD STE 1000, MELVILLE, NY, 11747

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,534

Exercised Options: $28,534

Current Obligation: $28,534

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline