GSA awards $13,404 for AR-395A Harness to Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,405 ($13.4K)

Contractor: THE Lighthouse for the Blind, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-14

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: AR-395A HARNESS MEN'S, L, BKLF

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98144

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,404.5 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED for work described as: AR-395A HARNESS MEN'S, L, BKLF Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated with a single provider, Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. 2. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement. 3. The fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces potential cost escalation risk. 4. The sector is Office Supplies and Stationery Stores, with a NAICS code of 453210.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $13,404.50 for a single item (AR-395A HARNESS MEN'S, L, BKLF) appears high for office supplies. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized apparel or safety equipment is needed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded as a BPA Call. This suggests limited price discovery and potentially higher costs due to the lack of competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for this item.

Public Impact

Procurement of specialized apparel for individuals with visual impairments. Potential impact on individuals relying on specific equipment for daily tasks. Government's commitment to supporting organizations serving specific populations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Potential for overpricing due to limited competition

Positive Signals

Supports a specific population through a social enterprise.
Contract awarded to an established entity with a mission-driven purpose.

Sector Analysis

The Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210) typically involves a wide range of products. Spending benchmarks for specialized items like this harness are not readily available within standard office supply categories.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., is a non-profit organization. While not a small business in the traditional sense, its mission-driven nature and focus on employing individuals with visual impairments are notable.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call without further competition warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars. The General Services Administration (GSA) should monitor contract performance and pricing trends.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for price escalation due to EPA
Limited transparency on pricing benchmarks
Single source award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,404.5 to THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND, INCORPORATED. AR-395A HARNESS MEN'S, L, BKLF

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 $13,404.5.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for awarding this contract without further competition under SAP?

The data indicates the contract was a 'BPA CALL' and 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests it might be a call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) or a specific procurement vehicle that bypasses standard competitive procedures for smaller dollar amounts. Further investigation into the specific BPA or procurement authority used would be necessary to fully understand the justification.

What is the risk associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type for this item?

The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for price changes based on specified economic factors, such as inflation or material costs. For a single item like a harness, the risk is that the EPA could lead to a significant increase in the unit price over the contract term, potentially exceeding market rates if not carefully monitored and capped.

How does this procurement align with government objectives for supporting specific populations or social enterprises?

Awarding contracts to organizations like Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., which employ individuals with visual impairments, aligns with government objectives to support specific populations and promote social enterprise. This procurement demonstrates a commitment to leveraging federal spending to achieve social impact alongside operational needs.

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: $13,405

Exercised Options: $13,405

Current Obligation: $13,405

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23FGA014

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline