GSA Awards $156K for Machinery WIP Towels to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,633 ($15.6K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOWEL,MACHINERY WIP

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15,633 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: TOWEL,MACHINERY WIP Key points: 1. Spending on machinery WIP towels totals $156,330. 2. Sole-source contract awarded to National Industries for the Blind. 3. Contract duration is short, from April 1 to April 8, 2026. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing information is not available for comparison. The contract is a delivery order under an existing agreement, making direct price assessment difficult without further details on the base contract's pricing structure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $156,330 award may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the sole-source nature of the award. The short duration suggests a specific, immediate need for these supplies. The awarding agency is the General Services Administration (GSA), a primary procurement arm for the federal government.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
Lack of pricing benchmarks
No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Award to an organization supporting blind individuals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under wholesale trade of equipment and supplies. Federal spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, but efficient procurement practices are crucial to manage costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no specific mention of small business participation or subcontracting goals. Further review would be needed to confirm if small businesses were considered.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this award. Oversight would involve ensuring the justification for the sole-source award is valid and that the pricing, though not benchmarked here, is reasonable within the context of the existing agreement.

Related Government Programs

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
No pricing benchmarks available
No small business participation indicated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15,633 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. TOWEL,MACHINERY WIP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15,633.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the justification for this sole-source award?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source justification exists. This could be due to unique capabilities of the vendor, an emergency, or specific government mandates. Without the detailed justification document, the exact reason remains unknown, but it is critical for understanding the necessity of bypassing competitive bidding.

What is the risk associated with the lack of competition?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated prices and reduced innovation. Without competing bids, the government may not secure the best possible value. Additionally, it can limit opportunities for other qualified vendors, including small businesses, to secure federal contracts.

How effective is this procurement in achieving value for taxpayers?

The effectiveness in achieving taxpayer value is questionable due to the sole-source nature. While National Industries for the Blind serves a valuable social mission, the absence of competition prevents a direct comparison to market rates. The short duration and fixed price suggest a controlled expenditure, but the ultimate value hinges on the reasonableness of the negotiated price without competitive pressure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

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: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,633

Exercised Options: $15,633

Current Obligation: $15,633

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline