GSA awards $44.5K for flight suit pants, highlighting hardware store supply chain efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,451 ($44.5K)

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: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: M-SHT 2PC WOFIT FLIGHT SUIT PANT

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $44,450.75 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: M-SHT 2PC WOFIT FLIGHT SUIT PANT Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the short duration and specialized nature of the item. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short contract duration and readily available nature of the product. 4. Performance context is limited by the short delivery window, focusing on immediate supply needs. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader federal supply chain for essential personnel equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $44,450.75 for a 7-day period for flight suit pants seems appropriate for a small, urgent requirement. Benchmarking against similar specialized apparel contracts is difficult without more specific product details, but the price per unit, if calculable, would be the key metric. The firm fixed-price structure suggests the government secured a defined cost upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of supply, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to achieve the best possible pricing and quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are military or aviation personnel requiring specialized flight suit pants. The service delivered is the provision of essential uniform components. The geographic impact is localized to the delivery point in New York (NY). Workforce implications are minimal, primarily impacting the supply chain and logistics personnel involved in fulfillment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations if demand increases significantly beyond this single award.
Reliance on a single vendor for this specific item could pose a risk if supply chain issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating a fair market price was likely achieved.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment and associated risks.
Utilizes existing GSA schedules, streamlining the procurement process and reducing administrative burden.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial and commercial machinery and components sector, specifically related to the supply of specialized apparel. The market for military and aviation uniforms is a niche but consistent segment, often served by specialized manufacturers and distributors. Federal spending in this area is driven by the operational needs of defense and security agencies, with GSA acting as a procurement facilitator.

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 award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore likely indirect, potentially through competition with larger distributors.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight is managed through the terms of the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call and the underlying schedule contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, and accountability rests with the contracting officer and the vendor's adherence to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Federal Supply Catalog
Military Uniform Procurement
Defense Logistics Agency Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption due to short delivery window.
Limited competition data available to fully assess price competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $44,450.75 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. M-SHT 2PC WOFIT FLIGHT SUIT PANT

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 $44,450.75.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific type and material of the flight suit pants, and how does this influence the price?

The provided data indicates the item as 'M-SHT 2PC WOFIT FLIGHT SUIT PANT' with National Stock Number (NSN) 444130, which corresponds to 'Hardware Stores' in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code context, likely due to how GSA categorizes suppliers. However, the NSN itself points towards a specific military or industrial supply item. Flight suit pants are typically made from specialized, durable, and flame-resistant materials like Nomex or similar blends to meet stringent safety requirements for aviators and ground crews in high-risk environments. The exact material composition, thread count, and any specialized features (e.g., reinforced seams, specific pocket configurations, integrated padding) significantly impact the cost. Without a detailed product specification sheet or a more precise item description beyond the NSN and a general category, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the price per unit against market rates for similar specialized apparel.

How does the price of these flight suit pants compare to similar items purchased by other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the price for these specific flight suit pants is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and quantity purchased under this BPA Call. However, the award value of $44,450.75 over a 7-day period suggests a unit price that would need to be evaluated against historical data for similar NSNs or item descriptions. Federal procurement data systems like FPDS or SAM.gov could be queried for comparable NSNs or keywords related to 'flight suit pants' or 'aircrew trousers' awarded under GSA Schedules or other contract vehicles. Factors such as material (flame-resistant, durable), certifications (e.g., military specifications), and brand name can cause significant price variations. A preliminary assessment suggests the price is within a reasonable range for specialized government-issued apparel, assuming standard quality and specifications.

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

The primary risks associated with this short-duration contract for specific flight suit pants are minimal but include potential supply chain disruptions if the awarded vendor faces unforeseen issues in fulfilling the order within the tight 7-day window. There's also a risk of suboptimal pricing if the 'full and open competition' did not yield a sufficient number of competitive bids, although this is less likely for standard GSA Schedule items. A more significant, albeit low-probability, risk could be the quality or fit of the garments not meeting end-user requirements, leading to dissatisfaction or the need for replacements, which would incur additional costs and delays. However, the firm fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.

What is the track record of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. in supplying similar specialized apparel to the federal government?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a large, well-established distributor of industrial supplies, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) products. While their primary focus is often on tools, fasteners, and general industrial equipment, they do carry a wide range of apparel, including workwear and potentially specialized uniforms, through their extensive catalog and GSA Schedule offerings. Their track record with the federal government is extensive, having secured numerous contracts across various agencies. For specialized apparel like flight suit pants, their ability to source from manufacturers and fulfill orders efficiently is key. Publicly available contract data would show the volume and types of apparel previously supplied by MSC to government entities, allowing for an assessment of their experience and reliability in this specific niche.

How does the use of GSA Schedules for this purchase impact overall federal spending efficiency?

Utilizing GSA Schedules, as is the case for this BPA Call, generally enhances federal spending efficiency. GSA negotiates pre-established pricing and contract terms with vendors, reducing the need for individual agencies to conduct lengthy and costly procurement processes for common goods and services. This streamlines acquisition, speeds up delivery, and leverages the government's collective buying power to secure favorable pricing. For items like flight suit pants, using a GSA Schedule means the item has likely already undergone some level of vetting for quality and compliance, and the pricing is benchmarked against a broader market. This approach saves administrative overhead, reduces duplication of effort across agencies, and provides a reliable channel for obtaining necessary supplies.

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: $44,451

Exercised Options: $44,451

Current Obligation: $44,451

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline