GSA's $56K contract for polyester angle sashes awarded to W.W. Grainger, Inc. with 7-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,050 ($56.1K)

Contractor: W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BRUSH,3 ,ANGLE SASH,POLYESTER,2 15/16 L

Place of Performance

Location: LAKE FOREST, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60045

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $56,050.32 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC. for work described as: BRUSH,3 ,ANGLE SASH,POLYESTER,2 15/16 L Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a niche or limited scope requirement. 2. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) structure offers some protection against market volatility. 3. Short duration indicates a potential for rapid fulfillment or a pilot program. 4. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, implying pre-negotiated terms and conditions. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 444110 points to a home improvement retail category. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, which is typical for this contract type and value.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $56,050.32 is relatively small, making direct comparisons to larger federal procurements challenging. The pricing is likely based on pre-negotiated rates within the BPA. Without specific unit pricing or detailed scope of work, a comprehensive value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the short duration and specific item suggest a targeted need that may be met at a reasonable cost if the unit prices are competitive with commercial offerings.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call. While the specific competition for this BPA Call is not detailed, the overarching BPA likely underwent a competitive process. The use of a BPA suggests that multiple vendors were considered or are available under the agreement, promoting a degree of price discovery. However, the specifics of how many vendors were solicited for this particular call are not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and potentially leading to lower costs for goods and services procured by the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government facilities or personnel requiring specific maintenance or repair materials. The service delivered is the provision of polyester angle sashes, a specific hardware component. The geographic impact is limited to Illinois, as indicated by the 'IL' state code. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a procurement of goods rather than services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics or quality assurance provisions.
Potential for price increases due to the economic price adjustment clause if market conditions fluctuate significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process (BPA Call), suggesting some level of vetting.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment and allows for reassessment.
Use of a BPA can streamline procurement for recurring needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Home Centers' (NAICS 444110) sector, which includes establishments primarily engaged in retailing building materials and supplies. Federal spending in this sector often supports facilities management, maintenance, and repair operations across various government agencies. The market for such hardware components is generally competitive, with numerous suppliers ranging from large retailers to specialized manufacturers. The value of this specific contract is modest, suggesting it's for a specific, perhaps non-critical, item rather than a large-scale construction or renovation project.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the product (hardware components) and the relatively small contract value, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be significant or mandated under this specific award. The primary contractor, W.W. Grainger, Inc., is a large entity, and their participation does not inherently signal increased opportunities for small businesses within this particular transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has established terms and conditions that include reporting and accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Government Furnished Property

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate a pilot or urgent need.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $56,050.32 to W.W. GRAINGER, INC.. BRUSH,3 ,ANGLE SASH,POLYESTER,2 15/16 L

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is W.W. GRAINGER, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56,050.32.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific purpose and application of these polyester angle sashes within the context of GSA operations?

The specific application of these polyester angle sashes is not detailed in the provided data. However, angle sashes are typically used for reinforcement, support, or decorative finishing in construction and furniture. Given the NAICS code 444110 (Home Centers), they could be used in facility maintenance, minor repairs, or outfitting of government-owned or leased spaces. The 'BRUSH,3 ,ANGLE SASH,POLYESTER,2 15/16 L' description suggests a specific size and material, possibly for a particular type of fixture or structural element. Further inquiry with the GSA contracting officer would be needed to ascertain the precise use case.

How does the unit price of these angle sashes compare to commercial market rates?

The provided data does not include the unit price for the angle sashes, only the total contract value ($56,050.32) and duration (7 days). To compare unit prices to commercial market rates, one would need to know the quantity of sashes procured under this contract. If, for example, 1000 sashes were procured, the unit price would be approximately $56.05. This would then need to be benchmarked against prices from major hardware retailers (e.g., Home Depot, Lowe's) or specialized industrial suppliers for similar polyester angle sashes of the specified dimensions (2 15/16 inches length). Without the quantity, a unit price comparison is impossible.

What is W.W. Grainger, Inc.'s track record with GSA and similar federal contracts?

W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a well-established supplier of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products and has a significant history of contracting with the U.S. federal government, including GSA. They frequently hold contracts under GSA's Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) and participate in various procurement vehicles. Their track record generally involves supplying a wide array of industrial and commercial supplies to government agencies. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts are not publicly detailed here, their continued presence as a government contractor suggests a capacity to meet federal procurement requirements. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations and any reported issues on specific contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (EPA) for this type of good?

The primary risk associated with a fixed-price contract with EPA for goods like angle sashes relates to potential price volatility. While the fixed-price component provides a baseline cost, the EPA clause allows for adjustments based on specified economic factors (e.g., inflation, material cost index). If the cost of raw materials or manufacturing for polyester increases significantly during the contract period, the government may end up paying a higher price than initially anticipated. Conversely, if prices decrease, the government might not benefit from those reductions unless the EPA clause includes downward adjustment provisions. For a short-duration contract like this (7 days), the risk of substantial price fluctuation is generally lower compared to longer-term agreements.

How does this contract's value compare to average federal spending on similar hardware components?

The contract value of $56,050.32 is relatively modest when compared to the overall federal spending on maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on MRO items, encompassing a vast range of products from basic hardware to specialized equipment. This specific contract for polyester angle sashes represents a very small fraction of that total. Average spending on similar hardware components can vary widely depending on the specific item, quantity, and agency. However, for a single component like an angle sash, $56,050 likely represents a substantial quantity or a specific, perhaps less common, type of sash, rather than typical day-to-day operational needs across the entire government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Home Centers

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

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: 100, GRAINGER PARKWAY, LAKE FOREST, IL, 60045

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,050

Exercised Options: $56,050

Current Obligation: $56,050

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSCC23A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline