GSA awards $27.7K for multi-tools via full and open competition, ending April 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,730 ($27.7K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 21 FUNCTION STONEWASH MULTI-TOOL

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27,730.48 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 21 FUNCTION STONEWASH MULTI-TOOL Key points: 1. Spending is low, suggesting a routine procurement. 2. MSC Industrial Direct is a major supplier, indicating potential market concentration. 3. Risk appears low given the small contract value and established supplier. 4. Hardware Stores sector is highly competitive, but this BPA call limits direct comparison.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27,730.48 is modest. Pricing is likely competitive given the firm fixed price and full and open competition, though specific benchmarks for this exact multi-tool are unavailable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition via a BPA call. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing by allowing multiple vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the low contract value, representing efficient use of funds for necessary equipment.

Public Impact

Provides essential tools for federal agencies, supporting operational needs. Procurement through GSA ensures standardized acquisition processes. Availability of multi-tools impacts agency readiness and maintenance capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases on future BPA calls if competition wanes.
Dependence on a single supplier (MSC Industrial Direct) for this specific BPA call.

Positive Signals

Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Firm fixed price contract limits cost overruns.
Modest spending amount.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Hardware Stores sector, which is characterized by a wide range of suppliers and competitive pricing for common goods. Spending benchmarks for individual multi-tools are typically low, aligning with this contract's value.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded via full and open competition, the data does not indicate if small businesses participated or benefited. The prime contractor, MSC Industrial Direct, is a large entity.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract, ensuring adherence to federal acquisition regulations. The BPA call mechanism allows for efficient ordering against pre-negotiated terms.

Related Government Programs

Hardware Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition visibility for small businesses.
Potential for price creep on future BPA calls.
Dependence on a single awardee for this BPA call.
Lack of specific performance metrics for the tool itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27,730.48 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 21 FUNCTION STONEWASH MULTI-TOOL

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 $27,730.48.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific utility and demand for this particular multi-tool across federal agencies?

The specific utility of the '21 FUNCTION STONEWASH MULTI-TOOL' is likely for general maintenance, repair, and operational tasks within various federal agencies. Demand is inferred from its inclusion in a GSA schedule, suggesting it meets common needs. However, without further data on usage rates or agency-specific requirements, the precise demand level remains unclear.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on MSC Industrial Direct for this type of equipment?

The primary risk is potential price escalation on future orders if competition is not actively maintained within the BPA framework. Over-reliance on a single large supplier could also lead to less favorable terms over time or potential supply chain disruptions if MSC faces issues. However, the low contract value mitigates immediate financial risk.

How effectively does this procurement method ensure value for taxpayer money compared to other acquisition strategies?

Using a GSA Schedule BPA call with full and open competition is generally effective for acquiring low-value, common items. It leverages pre-negotiated pricing and streamlines the ordering process, reducing administrative burden and cost. This method likely provides good value for taxpayer money on this specific, small-dollar purchase.

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: $27,730

Exercised Options: $27,730

Current Obligation: $27,730

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC21A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline