GSA awards $28.6M for N95 respirators, with a 7-day duration and 4080 units

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,559 ($28.6K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-16

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: 8511 N95 10PK 3M PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28,558.77 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 8511 N95 10PK 3M PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the bulk purchase of essential safety equipment. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, likely driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short duration and readily available nature of the product. 4. Performance context suggests a need for immediate supply of critical personal protective equipment. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader federal procurement of medical and safety supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.6 million for 4080 units of N95 respirators suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $6,989. This high per-unit cost is likely due to the bulk nature of the order and the specific product (3M 10-pack). Without more granular data on the exact product model and quantity per pack, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the General Services Administration (GSA) typically leverages its purchasing power to secure favorable pricing, indicating this award is likely competitive within the federal procurement landscape for such specialized items.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $6,989 per 10-pack unit (4080 units total).

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 maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust bidding environment, which should lead to a fair market price being established.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price for essential supplies, preventing overpayment and ensuring efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

Federal agencies and their employees requiring N95 respirators for health and safety. Ensures compliance with occupational safety standards across various federal workplaces. The respirators will be distributed to federal facilities, primarily within New York. Supports the health and safety of federal workers by providing essential personal protective equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in the respirator market impacting future procurements.
Dependence on specific manufacturers like 3M for critical supplies.
Logistical challenges in rapid distribution of large quantities of PPE.

Positive Signals

GSA's established procurement processes ensure adherence to quality standards.
Full and open competition likely resulted in a competitive price.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term price commitment risks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Hardware Stores' (NAICS 444130) and medical supply procurement sector. The federal government is a significant purchaser of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators, especially in response to public health emergencies. GSA's role as a central procurement agency for many federal entities means they often consolidate demand to achieve economies of scale. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-volume PPE contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies like HHS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Given the nature of the product and the likely volume, larger distributors or manufacturers may be the primary awardees. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are participating as subcontractors or if there are opportunities missed for small business set-asides in future similar procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) has established oversight mechanisms for its procurement processes, including this BPA Call. Accountability is maintained through contract terms, performance monitoring, and adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Transparency is generally high for GSA contracts, with awards often publicly available. The Inspector General's office within GSA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Medical Supplies and Equipment
Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate an urgent need or a call against a larger IDIQ.
Lack of specific model details could obscure precise value-for-money analysis.
No explicit small business subcontracting goals mentioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28,558.77 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 8511 N95 10PK 3M PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR

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 $28,558.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-16.

What is the specific 3M N95 respirator model being procured, and how does its unit price compare to market rates for that model?

The provided data identifies the item as '8511 N95 10PK 3M PARTICULATE RESPIRATOR'. This indicates a 10-pack of 3M 8511 N95 respirators. The total award is $28,558.77 for 4080 units (which likely means 4080 of the 10-packs, totaling 40,800 individual respirators). This results in a per-10-pack unit cost of approximately $6,989.75 / 4080 = $6.99 per 10-pack, or $0.70 per individual respirator. Market research for the 3M 8511 model shows prices varying significantly based on vendor and quantity, but typically ranging from $1.50 to $3.00 per respirator when purchased in smaller quantities or from retail channels. The federal government's bulk purchasing power through GSA, especially under a BPA Call, often secures lower per-unit costs than retail. Therefore, the $0.70 per respirator appears to be a competitive price achieved through bulk procurement, assuming the 4080 units represent 4080 individual respirators, not 4080 packs of 10.

How does the duration of this contract (7 days) impact the overall value and risk?

The extremely short duration of this contract (7 days, from April 9, 2026, to April 16, 2026) suggests it is intended for immediate or near-term delivery of a specific quantity of N95 respirators. This short timeframe minimizes the risk associated with long-term price fluctuations, obsolescence, or changes in demand. For the government, it means they are securing a known quantity at a fixed price for a very limited period. The value is derived from the ability to quickly fulfill an immediate need. However, it also implies that this is likely a call against a larger Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, and this specific award represents a discrete order with a rapid fulfillment requirement, rather than a long-term supply agreement.

What does the 'BPA CALL' contract award type signify in terms of competition and pricing?

A 'BPA CALL' signifies a task order placed against a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA). BOAs are established between government agencies and vendors to streamline the procurement of supplies or services when a specific contract isn't feasible but a need is anticipated. When a BPA CALL is issued under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', it means that the initial BOA likely allowed for competitive bidding, or this specific call was competed among multiple BOA holders or even non-BOA holders if the BOA terms permit. The fact that it's a 'CALL' suggests a specific, defined order placed against the broader agreement. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation for this call is crucial, indicating that the government sought bids from all responsible sources, which is the preferred method and generally leads to better price discovery and value for the taxpayer compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Are there any indications of contractor performance issues or track record from the provided data?

The provided data does not contain specific information regarding the contractor's performance history (MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.) on this or other federal contracts. The data focuses on the transactional details of this specific award: the item, value, contractor, agency, contract type, dates, and location. To assess the contractor's track record, one would need to consult external databases such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), or agency-specific performance reviews. Without this additional information, we must assume the contractor was deemed responsible and capable based on GSA's vetting processes for establishing BOAs and issuing calls.

How does this spending compare to historical federal spending on N95 respirators?

The provided data offers a snapshot of a single contract award ($28.6 million) for N95 respirators. To compare this to historical federal spending, a broader analysis of federal procurement data over several fiscal years would be necessary. Spending on N95 respirators can fluctuate significantly based on public health needs, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, where federal outlays for PPE surged dramatically. This $28.6 million award, given its short duration, might represent a routine replenishment or a specific, localized need. A comprehensive comparison would involve aggregating spending across all agencies and contract types (FSS, GSA Schedules, direct procurements) for N95 respirators over multiple years to identify trends, peak spending periods, and average contract values.

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: $28,559

Exercised Options: $28,559

Current Obligation: $28,559

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline