GSA awards $22.4K for 10 boxes of chem-light sticks, with a 7-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,437 ($22.4K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 10/BOX 6 RED 12 HR CHEMLIGHT LIGHTSTICKS

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $22,437.4 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 10/BOX 6 RED 12 HR CHEMLIGHT LIGHTSTICKS Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a routine procurement. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The short duration of the contract (7 days) suggests an immediate or short-term need. 4. The product is standard hardware store inventory, implying readily available supply. 5. The awarding agency is GSA, a common channel for federal procurement. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which caps the government's cost.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $22,437.40 for 10 boxes of chem-light sticks appears reasonable given the product type and quantity. Without specific unit pricing or comparison to similar bulk purchases of emergency lighting, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method is generally preferred as it fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and terms for the government. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining goods and services at competitive market prices, preventing potential overspending.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring emergency lighting or signaling devices. The services delivered are the provision of 10 boxes of 6-count chem-light sticks. The geographic impact is centered in New York, where the contractor is located. There are no significant workforce implications associated with this procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or delivery confirmation.
Limited visibility into the specific end-use or urgency of the chem-light sticks.
Absence of data on the number of competing bids received.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a standard GSA schedule or contract vehicle.
Firm Fixed Price contract type limits cost escalation.
Procurement method (full and open) suggests competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of general supplies and hardware. The market for emergency lighting and signaling devices is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal agencies often procure such items through GSA schedules or other competitive vehicles to ensure availability and competitive pricing. The total federal spending on similar hardware items is substantial, but this specific procurement represents a very small fraction.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the awarded contractor, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., is a large entity. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it is likely a pre-negotiated agreement with established terms. Transparency is generally good for GSA procurements, but specific details on usage and performance monitoring are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Emergency Preparedness Supplies
General Hardware Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for unusually high unit cost.
Short contract duration may indicate a specific, urgent need or a limited scope.
Lack of detail on number of bidders limits competition assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $22,437.4 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 10/BOX 6 RED 12 HR CHEMLIGHT LIGHTSTICKS

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 $22,437.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the typical unit cost for a 6-count box of chem-light sticks purchased by federal agencies?

Determining a precise 'typical' unit cost for a 6-count box of chem-light sticks is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of historical federal procurements for this specific item. However, based on general market knowledge and typical government procurement markups, a unit price in the range of $20-$40 per box would not be unusual, depending on brand, quantity, and supplier. The award of $22,437.40 for 10 boxes suggests a unit price of approximately $2,243.74 per box, which seems exceptionally high. This discrepancy warrants further investigation into whether the '10 BOX' refers to a larger quantity or if there's a misunderstanding of the data provided. If it is indeed 10 individual boxes, the price per box is significantly above market rates.

How many bids were received for this contract?

The provided data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' which implies that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. However, the specific number of bids received is not detailed in the data. A higher number of bids generally correlates with more robust competition and potentially better pricing for the government. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively assess the competitiveness of the bidding process beyond the procedural compliance with full and open competition standards.

What is the intended use or agency for these chem-light sticks?

The provided data does not specify the exact agency or the intended use for the 10 boxes of chem-light sticks. Chem-light sticks are commonly used for emergency signaling, temporary lighting, and marking in various operational environments, including military, disaster response, and general safety applications. The General Services Administration (GSA) acts as a procurement agent for many federal agencies, so these lights could be destined for a wide range of government entities. Understanding the specific application would help contextualize the urgency and criticality of the procurement.

What is the track record of MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. in fulfilling federal contracts?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a well-established supplier of industrial products and services, including to the federal government. As a large entity, they likely have a history of fulfilling numerous federal contracts across various agencies and product categories. While this specific award is small, their broader track record would typically involve larger, more complex procurements. A review of their past performance on federal contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of goods, and adherence to contract terms, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability as a government supplier.

How does this contract's duration compare to similar procurements for emergency lighting?

The contract duration of 7 days (from April 8, 2026, to April 15, 2026) is exceptionally short. This suggests either an immediate, short-term need for the chem-light sticks or that this is a task order under a larger, longer-term agreement (like a Blanket Purchase Agreement - BPA Call). For standard procurements of supplies like chem-light sticks, contracts often have longer durations, potentially spanning months or years with options for renewal, to ensure sustained availability. The brevity here might indicate a specific, time-sensitive operational requirement or a simple replenishment of a small stock.

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: $22,437

Exercised Options: $22,437

Current Obligation: $22,437

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline