GSA awards $28,758 contract for flight suits, highlighting potential for efficient procurement through BPA calls

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,758 ($28.8K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-14

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: S-REG MJKT00062-SAGRN 2PC FLIGHT SUIT JA

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28,758 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: S-REG MJKT00062-SAGRN 2PC FLIGHT SUIT JA Key points: 1. The contract leverages an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call, suggesting a streamlined procurement process. 2. The short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates a need for immediate or short-term supply. 3. The award to MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. places this within the hardware and industrial supplies sector. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The relatively small award value may indicate a specific, limited requirement or a pilot purchase.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $28,758 for flight suits over a 7-day period appears reasonable given the context of a BPA call, which typically implies pre-negotiated favorable terms. Without specific details on the quantity and type of flight suits, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the use of a BPA suggests that pricing has likely been benchmarked against market rates during the initial agreement's competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded via a BPA call, which itself was likely the result of a full and open competition. The specific call likely allowed for multiple vendors holding the BPA to bid, or was a direct call against the BPA. The number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, but the initial BPA competition would have established a competitive baseline.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive BPA process ensures that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by leveraging pre-negotiated pricing and a competitive environment for the underlying agreement.

Public Impact

Personnel requiring specialized flight suits, likely within military or aviation sectors, will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of essential flight gear, ensuring operational readiness. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal agencies with aviation operations. Workforce implications are minimal for this specific short-term award, but consistent supply supports operational continuity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed specifications for the flight suits could lead to variations in quality or suitability.
The short performance period might not be sufficient for complex or large-scale requirements.
Limited visibility into the specific end-user agency and their precise needs.

Positive Signals

Leverages an existing BPA, indicating a potentially efficient and cost-effective procurement method.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Award to a known supplier (MSC Industrial Direct) suggests reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial and hardware supplies sector, specifically catering to specialized apparel needs for aviation. The market for flight suits is niche, driven by defense and aerospace industries. Spending in this category is often tied to operational readiness and safety requirements, with significant government procurement activity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., is a large corporation. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific BPA call. The broader impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether MSC utilizes small business suppliers for the flight suits.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The BPA call mechanism itself implies adherence to terms established during the initial competitive BPA. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though specific details of the flight suit's technical specifications and exact usage may be limited.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Clothing and Textiles
Aviation Life Support Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate urgency or limited scope.
Lack of detailed product specifications in summary data.
Potential for limited competition within the specific BPA call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28,758 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. S-REG MJKT00062-SAGRN 2PC FLIGHT SUIT JA

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 $28,758.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-14.

What specific type and quantity of flight suits were procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of flight suits. The contract number S-REG MJKT00062-SAGRN 2PC FLIGHT SUIT JA suggests a '2 Piece Flight Suit'. The award value of $28,758 and a 7-day duration indicate a potentially limited quantity, possibly for immediate operational needs or a small group of personnel. Further details would require accessing the full contract documentation or agency procurement files.

How does the pricing of these flight suits compare to similar items purchased by other federal agencies or in the commercial market?

Direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible without knowing the quantity and specific model of flight suits. However, the contract was issued under a GSA BPA call, implying that pricing was competitively established during the initial BPA solicitation. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a large supplier, and their pricing within a competitive BPA framework is generally considered to be at or near market rates, often with volume discounts negotiated. Benchmarking would require comparing the negotiated unit price against other GSA Schedule contracts or commercial catalogs for equivalent items.

What is MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s track record with GSA contracts and flight suit procurement?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a significant federal contractor, frequently awarded contracts through GSA schedules and other competitive vehicles, primarily for industrial supplies, tools, and safety equipment. While their core business is broad industrial supply, they do offer a range of safety and protective apparel, which can include flight suits or similar specialized garments. Their extensive history with GSA suggests a familiarity with federal procurement regulations and performance expectations. Specific past performance data on flight suit contracts would require a deeper dive into their contract history.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given its short duration and specific item?

The primary risks are related to the specificity and short duration. If the flight suits do not meet precise technical specifications required for the intended aviation environment, it could pose a safety risk or necessitate immediate re-procurement. The 7-day performance period suggests an urgent need; any delays in delivery or issues with the product could impact operational readiness. Additionally, the limited competition inherent in a single BPA call (if only one vendor was solicited or responded) could mean a missed opportunity for even better pricing or terms.

How does this contract fit into the broader context of GSA's efforts to streamline procurement for common goods?

This contract exemplifies GSA's strategy of using Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and BPA calls to facilitate efficient procurement of commonly needed items. By establishing pre-negotiated terms and pricing through a competitive BPA, GSA enables agencies to quickly order supplies like flight suits without conducting a full, separate solicitation each time. This reduces administrative burden, speeds up delivery, and leverages the aggregated buying power of the government to achieve better value, aligning with GSA's mission to provide cost-effective solutions.

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: $28,758

Exercised Options: $28,758

Current Obligation: $28,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline