GSA awards $6,045 contract for paper pots, highlighting hardware manufacturing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,046 ($6.0K)

Contractor: OSC Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $864/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50

Place of Performance

Location: WEST PALM BEACH, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33407

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,045.57 to OSC SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50 Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focus on specific, potentially low-volume hardware needs. 2. The short duration of the contract (7 days) indicates an immediate or short-term requirement. 3. Hardware manufacturing is a broad category; specific product details are crucial for deeper analysis. 4. The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing framework agreement, potentially streamlining procurement. 5. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) introduces some cost variability risk. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger market participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6,045.57 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. The unit price for the paper pots (approximately $120.91 per box of 50) needs to be benchmarked against similar packaging materials. Without more context on the specific type and quality of paper pot, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The economic price adjustment clause introduces a variable that could impact the final cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which limits the assessment of competitive intensity. However, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing inherent in a full and open solicitation, which aims to secure the best value for government purchases.

Public Impact

This contract likely supports logistical or operational needs within the General Services Administration (GSA). The specific use of paper pots suggests a need for biodegradable or environmentally conscious packaging solutions. The geographic impact is limited to Florida, where the contract is being fulfilled. Workforce implications are likely minimal, given the nature of the product and contract size.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Lack of detailed specifications for the paper pots makes quality assessment difficult.
Short contract duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair process.
Use of a BPA Call indicates efficiency within an established procurement vehicle.
The contract supports hardware manufacturing, a key industrial sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the hardware manufacturing sector, specifically related to packaging materials. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332510 covers 'Hardware Manufacturing.' While the overall value is small, it represents a transaction within a larger industrial base. Benchmarking would require comparing pricing for similar paper-based packaging solutions across various suppliers and government contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' field is false. This suggests that the procurement was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but given the contract's size and nature, significant subcontracting to small businesses is unlikely unless the prime contractor specializes in packaging and utilizes a small business supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics or specific oversight activities are not provided in this summary.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules
Federal Supply Schedules
Hardware Procurement
Packaging Materials

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Short Contract Duration
Potentially High Unit Cost Compared to Market

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,045.57 to OSC SOLUTIONS INC. PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OSC SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,045.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the specific application or purpose of these 'PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50' within the GSA?

The specific application of the 'PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50' within the General Services Administration (GSA) is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the description, these are likely containers used for packaging, storage, or potentially for horticultural purposes if the GSA is involved in facilities management or environmental initiatives. The 'BX50' indicates they are sold in boxes of 50. The GSA's mission includes providing workspace, acquiring technology, and managing vehicles, so these pots could be for office plant maintenance, supply chain packaging, or even support for specific agency programs requiring such items. Without further context from the awarding office or the specific BPA call, the exact use remains speculative but points towards a need for disposable or biodegradable containers.

How does the unit cost of these paper pots compare to commercial market rates?

The contract data indicates a total award of $6,045.57 for 50 boxes of 2 1/2 quart paper pots, totaling 2,500 pots (50 boxes * 50 pots/box). This results in a per-pot cost of approximately $2.42 ($6,045.57 / 2,500 pots). The per-box cost is approximately $120.91 ($6,045.57 / 50 boxes). Commercial market rates for similar biodegradable paper pots can vary significantly based on size, material quality, branding, and order volume. Online searches for 2.5-quart biodegradable paper pots reveal prices ranging from $0.50 to $2.00 per pot for bulk purchases. Therefore, the government's per-pot cost of $2.42 appears to be on the higher end of the commercial market range, especially considering the potential for volume discounts in commercial sales. The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause also introduces uncertainty regarding the final unit cost.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this contract?

The 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this contract introduces a risk of price escalation for the government. This clause allows the contractor, OSC SOLUTIONS INC, to adjust the price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as raw material costs or labor wages. While intended to protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and ensure fair pricing, it shifts some of the cost risk to the government. The specific index or formula used for the EPA is not detailed here, making it difficult to quantify the potential for price increases. For a short-duration contract like this (7 days), the impact of EPA might be limited, but it still represents a departure from a fixed price, where the government's cost would be certain from the outset. This necessitates monitoring by the GSA to ensure any price adjustments are justified according to the contract terms.

Given the short duration (7 days), does this indicate a specific urgent need or a potential gap in inventory management?

The extremely short contract duration of 7 days (from April 10, 2026, to April 17, 2026) strongly suggests an urgent or immediate requirement for the 'PAIL 2 1/2 QUART PAPER POT BX50'. This could stem from several scenarios: an unexpected surge in demand, a sudden depletion of existing stock, a critical need for materials for a specific short-term project or event, or a gap identified in the agency's inventory that needs rapid fulfillment. It is less likely to indicate a long-term strategic procurement or a well-planned inventory management cycle. Such short-term contracts often bypass lengthy competitive processes, potentially utilizing existing Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) like the one implied here ('BPA CALL'), to expedite delivery. This approach prioritizes speed over potentially broader market engagement or long-term cost savings.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 332510 (Hardware Manufacturing) for this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332510, 'Hardware Manufacturing,' categorizes the primary business activity of the contractor or the nature of the goods being procured. For this contract, it signifies that the paper pots are considered a manufactured hardware item. This classification helps in understanding the industrial sector involved and allows for comparison with other government contracts or industry data within hardware manufacturing. While 'hardware' might typically bring to mind metal goods, the NAICS system is broad and can encompass various manufactured goods. In this context, it places the procurement within the manufacturing supply chain. It also aids in identifying potential competitors and understanding the market dynamics for such manufactured products, although the specific product (paper pots) might seem unusual under this code to some.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 NORTHPOINT PKWY, WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33407

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,046

Exercised Options: $6,046

Current Obligation: $6,046

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline