GSA awards $28,994 for knives, highlighting hardware procurement efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,994 ($29.0K)

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: 4.40" BUSHCRAFTER GRN FIXED BLADE KNIFE

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28,993.99 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 4.40" BUSHCRAFTER GRN FIXED BLADE KNIFE Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the unit cost and contract type. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting fair pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a short duration and firm fixed price. 4. Performance context is limited by the short contract duration. 5. Sector positioning is within general hardware supply for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28,994 for knives appears to be within a reasonable range for bulk hardware procurement. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for hardware supplies suggests competitive pricing, especially given the quantity likely involved in a BPA call.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific mechanism, a BPA call, suggests it was likely sourced from an existing broader agreement, which itself was competed. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices for necessary goods like hardware.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring basic hardware supplies, such as knives, will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of specific hardware items. The geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving logistics and distribution personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost overruns.
Short contract duration (7 days) minimizes long-term financial commitment and risk.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Awarded by GSA, a central procurement agency, indicating adherence to established processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of federal hardware procurement, which is a significant sector supporting various government operations. The market for general hardware supplies is mature and competitive, with numerous suppliers capable of meeting federal demands. This specific award, a BPA call, suggests it's part of a larger, pre-competed framework agreement for efficient replenishment of common supplies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC., a large entity, there is no specific information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this particular BPA call. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business participation is mandated or occurs organically.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight is typically managed through the terms of the underlying BPA and the specific call order. Accountability is ensured by the firm fixed-price nature of the award. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, though specific details of the BPA call itself may be limited.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration Schedules
Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Hardware and Tools Procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28,993.99 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 4.40" BUSHCRAFTER GRN FIXED BLADE KNIFE

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 $28,993.99.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical unit cost for a '4.40" BUSHCRAFTER GRN FIXED BLADE KNIFE' in the federal procurement landscape?

Determining the precise unit cost for a specific knife model like the '4.40" BUSHCRAFTER GRN FIXED BLADE KNIFE' without more detailed specifications or a direct comparison is challenging. However, the total award of $28,993.99 over a 7-day period suggests a significant quantity was procured. If we assume a rough estimate of 1000 units for illustrative purposes (which is speculative), the unit cost would be around $29. This aligns with prices for durable, mid-range fixed-blade knives. Federal procurement often leverages bulk purchasing power through mechanisms like Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to achieve competitive unit pricing, which appears to be the case here given the 'BPA CALL' award type.

How does the competition level (full and open) typically impact the pricing for hardware procurements like this one?

A 'full and open competition' award, as indicated for this contract, generally leads to more favorable pricing for the government. When multiple vendors are allowed to bid, they are incentivized to offer their most competitive prices to win the contract. This competitive pressure helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for goods and services. In the context of hardware procurement, this means that agencies are likely to receive better value for their money compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios, as suppliers vie to secure the business by offering lower prices or better terms.

What are the primary risks associated with a short-duration contract like this (7 days)?

The primary risks associated with a very short-duration contract, such as this 7-day award, are minimal in terms of long-term financial exposure or performance issues. The main risks are related to potential supply chain disruptions or immediate unmet needs. If the procured items are critical and the delivery window is tight, any delay could impact the agency's operations. However, the firm fixed-price nature mitigates financial risk. Given the nature of the item (knives), it's likely for immediate operational needs or replenishment, making the short duration appropriate and the risk manageable.

What is the significance of this contract being a 'BPA CALL' under the General Services Administration (GSA)?

A 'BPA CALL' signifies that this procurement is an order placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are established by federal agencies, often under GSA schedules, to streamline the purchase of commonly used supplies and services. The underlying BPA itself would have undergone a competitive process. Therefore, a BPA call represents an efficient method for agencies to quickly acquire needed items from pre-vetted vendors and pre-negotiated terms, often at discounted prices due to the anticipated volume. This specific call indicates a need fulfilled through an established, efficient procurement vehicle.

Are there any indications of potential overspending or value concerns given the contract details?

Based on the provided data, there are no immediate indications of overspending or significant value concerns. The contract is a firm fixed-price award, which caps the government's liability. It was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing. The item is a standard hardware supply. The total value is relatively modest ($28,993.99). Without specific benchmarks for this exact item or quantity, a definitive value assessment is difficult, but the procurement structure points towards a standard, efficient transaction rather than one with apparent red flags for overpayment.

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: $28,994

Exercised Options: $28,994

Current Obligation: $28,994

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline