GSA awards $32.7K BPA Call for fire extinguishers, highlighting hardware store supply chain efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,704 ($32.7K)

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: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DRY CHEM ABC WHEELED FIRE EXTINGUSHER

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $32,703.52 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: DRY CHEM ABC WHEELED FIRE EXTINGUSHER Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding and fixed-price structure. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for industrial supplies. 3. Risk indicators are low due to short duration and established supply chain. 4. Performance context is a routine supply of essential safety equipment. 5. Sector positioning is within the broad category of industrial and hardware supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $32,703.52 for a 7-day Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call appears reasonable for the specified quantity of fire extinguishers. Benchmarking against similar federal procurements for safety equipment suggests that pricing within this range is typical when sourced through competitive channels like GSA schedules. The firm fixed-price nature further enhances value by locking in costs and mitigating risk for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, likely leveraging an existing GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) or similar vehicle. The use of a BPA Call suggests that multiple vendors were likely solicited or that the underlying schedule contract itself was competitively awarded. This approach generally ensures a broad range of suppliers can participate, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by allowing the government to access the best prices and terms available in the market.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring fire safety equipment benefit from timely access to essential supplies. The contract supports the operational readiness and safety compliance of federal facilities. Geographic impact is primarily within the New York region, where the supplies are likely destined. Workforce implications are minimal, relating to the logistics and delivery of the extinguishers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded through GSA, a known efficient procurement channel.
Firm fixed-price contract limits cost uncertainty.
Short duration minimizes long-term commitment risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial and hardware supply sector, a critical component of the federal supply chain. The market for safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, is well-established with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal spending in this category is consistent, driven by the ongoing need for safety compliance across all government facilities. GSA schedules are a primary mechanism for procuring such goods, ensuring competitive pricing and streamlined acquisition.

Small Business Impact

While this specific BPA Call was awarded to MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., which may or may not be a small business, the underlying GSA schedule contracts are often utilized by small businesses. The analysis does not indicate a specific small business set-aside for this particular call. However, the broader GSA schedule program provides opportunities for small businesses to compete and secure federal contracts, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The use of established GSA schedules and BPA calls implies adherence to federal procurement regulations. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are recorded. Accountability rests with the contracting officer and the vendor to ensure timely delivery and compliance with the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedules
General Services Administration
Emergency Preparedness Supplies
Fire Safety Equipment Procurement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $32,703.52 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. DRY CHEM ABC WHEELED FIRE EXTINGUSHER

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 $32,703.52.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical lead time for fire extinguishers procured through GSA schedules?

Lead times for fire extinguishers procured through GSA schedules can vary significantly based on the specific item, manufacturer, vendor inventory, and current demand. However, for items readily available from large distributors like MSC Industrial Direct, especially under a BPA Call with a short duration, delivery can often be expedited, sometimes within a few business days to a week, as suggested by the 7-day duration of this award. For less common models or during periods of high demand, lead times could extend to several weeks or even months. It is crucial for agencies to review estimated delivery times during the ordering process and factor them into their operational planning.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type benefit the government in this scenario?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type offers significant benefits to the government in this scenario involving the procurement of fire extinguishers. With FPP, the price is set and not subject to adjustment regardless of the contractor's cost experience. This provides the government with cost certainty and predictability, making budgeting more straightforward. It shifts the risk of cost overruns entirely to the contractor, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. For routine supplies like fire extinguishers, where the scope of work is well-defined and risks are generally low, FFP is an appropriate and efficient pricing arrangement that protects the government from unexpected price increases during the contract period.

What is the significance of the 'BPA CALL' award type?

The 'BPA CALL' award type signifies a specific order placed against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). A BPA is a simplified acquisition vehicle that allows federal agencies to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing charge accounts with qualified sources of supply. A 'BPA Call' is essentially a task order or delivery order issued under that established BPA. This method streamlines the procurement process for recurring needs, often leveraging pre-negotiated terms and pricing from the underlying BPA, which itself is typically established through competitive means. It allows for rapid acquisition of needed items like fire extinguishers.

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

The primary risk associated with a very short-duration contract, such as this 7-day BPA Call, is the potential for disruption if the vendor fails to meet the delivery or quality requirements within that tight timeframe. While the duration is short, it implies an immediate need. If the vendor cannot fulfill the order promptly, the agency may face operational delays or safety compliance issues. However, for a simple item like fire extinguishers and a reputable vendor like MSC Industrial Direct, the risk is generally mitigated. The short duration also limits the government's exposure to potential price fluctuations or vendor performance issues over a longer period.

How does this contract align with the General Services Administration's (GSA) mission?

This contract directly aligns with the GSA's mission to provide efficient and cost-effective procurement solutions for the federal government. By utilizing a GSA schedule and issuing a BPA Call, the General Services Administration facilitates the acquisition of essential safety equipment for federal agencies. This approach leverages GSA's established contracts, which are competitively awarded, to ensure fair pricing and reliable delivery. The GSA's role here is to act as a central procurement authority, simplifying the process for individual agencies and driving value through economies of scale and streamlined acquisition processes for common goods like fire extinguishers.

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: $32,704

Exercised Options: $32,704

Current Obligation: $32,704

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline