GSA awards $5,736 contract for disposable meal trays, highlighting niche supply chain needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,208 ($17.2K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 3 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAY, MESS,COMPARTMENTED: FOAM PLASTIC, DISPOSABLE, 3 COMPARTMENTS, FORHOT MEAL CARRY-OUT. RECTANGULAR, W/COVER, SLOT CLOSING. MATERIAL CLEAN,SANITARY & FREE OF TOXIC INGREDIENTS &C ONFORM TO SUBPART B OF21 CFR 177. WHITE, 10''(+/- 1'') BY 9-1/2'' (

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17,208 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: TRAY, MESS,COMPARTMENTED: FOAM PLASTIC, DISPOSABLE, 3 COMPARTMENTS, FORHOT MEAL CARRY-OUT. RECTANGULAR, W/COVER, SLOT CLOSING. MATERIAL CLEAN,SANITARY & FREE OF TOXIC INGREDIENTS &C ONFORM TO SUBPART B OF21 CFR 177. WHITE, 10''(+/- 1'') BY 9-1/2'' ( Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized disposable food service items, indicating a need for specific material and design. 2. Limited competition suggests potential for higher unit costs or a lack of readily available suppliers. 3. Short contract duration implies a tactical or immediate need rather than a long-term strategic requirement. 4. The award to Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC points to a specific vendor capability in this niche. 5. This contract falls under general warehousing and storage, but serves a very specific end-use.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $5,736 is very small, making a comprehensive value assessment difficult. Without knowing the quantity of trays ordered, it's impossible to benchmark the per-unit cost against market rates or similar government contracts. The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status also raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, being listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This means there was likely a specific justification for awarding it directly to Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC, such as a sole-source requirement or an emergency. The lack of competition prevents price discovery through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a bidding process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring disposable meal service components will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential components for meal packaging and transport. Geographic impact is likely limited to locations where the General Services Administration (GSA) requires these specific trays. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract primarily involves the supply of goods, not services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about price fairness and potential overpayment.
Limited contract value makes it difficult to assess overall program effectiveness or contractor performance.
The specific nature of the product might indicate a lack of standardization in federal food service needs.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific, albeit niche, requirement for disposable food service items.
Award to a single vendor streamlines the procurement process for this particular item.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the broader 'Other Warehousing and Storage' sector, but its specific focus on disposable food service components places it in a niche market. The overall market for disposable food packaging is substantial, driven by food service industries, but government contracts for such specific items are typically smaller and cater to unique operational needs, often within military or institutional settings.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Given the small contract value and its nature as a delivery order, detailed oversight mechanisms might be minimal. Transparency is limited by the lack of competition and detailed performance metrics in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Disposable Food Service Supplies
Warehousing and Storage Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may lead to non-competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed performance data limits assessment of value for money.
Short contract duration suggests a potentially reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17,208 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. TRAY, MESS,COMPARTMENTED: FOAM PLASTIC, DISPOSABLE, 3 COMPARTMENTS, FORHOT MEAL CARRY-OUT. RECTANGULAR, W/COVER, SLOT CLOSING. MATERIAL CLEAN,SANITARY & FREE OF TOXIC INGREDIENTS &C ONFORM TO SUBPART B OF21 CFR 177. WHITE, 10''(+/- 1'') BY 9-1/2'' (

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,208.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the typical unit cost for similar disposable meal trays in the commercial market?

Determining the exact commercial unit cost for these specific trays is challenging without precise quantity and material specifications. However, similar disposable, compartmentalized foam plastic trays for hot meal carry-out typically range from $0.50 to $2.00 per unit, depending on size, compartment count, lid inclusion, and material thickness. Government contracts, especially those with limited competition, can sometimes see higher unit costs due to administrative overhead, specific packaging requirements, or lack of bulk purchasing power compared to large commercial distributors. Without the quantity for this $5,736 contract, a direct comparison is not feasible.

Why was this contract not available for competition?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which typically means it was awarded under a sole-source justification. Common reasons include that only one vendor possesses the necessary technical qualifications, the item is available only from a single source, or there's an urgent and compelling need that precludes full and open competition. For a specific item like a compartmentalized foam tray, it might be that Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC is the only approved or capable supplier meeting GSA's stringent requirements for materials, sanitation, and design, or perhaps it was a follow-on to a previous sole-source award where re-competition was deemed inefficient or impractical within the timeframe.

What is the track record of Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC with the federal government?

Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC has been awarded contracts by the federal government, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). Their contract history appears to include a range of supplies and logistics services. Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database, a detailed analysis of their past performance, including on-time delivery rates, quality of goods, and any past disputes or contract terminations, is not possible from the provided data alone. However, their continued awards suggest a level of capability and compliance acceptable to agencies like GSA.

How does this contract compare to other GSA food service supply contracts?

This contract is a very small delivery order ($5,736) for a highly specific item (disposable meal trays). GSA manages a vast array of contracts, including larger, competitively awarded agreements for broader food service supplies, equipment, and logistics. Compared to those, this contract represents a minor expenditure and addresses a niche requirement. Larger contracts often involve significant volume, longer durations, and more robust performance metrics. This specific award suggests GSA is fulfilling a particular, perhaps localized or specialized, need rather than engaging in broad-scale food service procurement.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for disposable trays?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for disposable trays is the potential for inflated pricing, as competition is absent, removing the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single supplier, potentially limiting future flexibility or access to better alternatives. Furthermore, without competitive benchmarking, it's harder to ensure the government is receiving optimal value for its money and that the product specifications truly meet the most cost-effective standards available in the market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Warehousing and Storage › Other Warehousing and Storage

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,208

Exercised Options: $17,208

Current Obligation: $17,208

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC25D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline