GSA Awards $4.2M Contract for Paper Towels to National Industries for the Blind, Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,256 ($4.3K)
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: $608/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: TOWEL,PAPERCHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.
Place of Performance
Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $4,256 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: TOWEL,PAPERCHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.26 million for paper towels. 2. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery. 3. Potential risk of higher costs due to restricted competition. 4. Spending falls within the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Pricing is fixed with economic price adjustment, but without a competitive benchmark, it's difficult to assess if the price is fair. The limited competition nature of the award suggests potential for overpayment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under limited competition, specifically citing National Industries for the Blind. While this supports a specific mission, it bypasses full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this purchase. The lack of robust competition may lead to a less optimal price compared to what could be achieved in an open market.
Public Impact
Federal agencies will receive paper towels, a common office supply. The contract supports a specific social enterprise, National Industries for the Blind. Limited competition may impact the overall cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of clear pricing benchmark
- Economic price adjustment clause
Positive Signals
- Supports a social enterprise mission
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210). Spending in this category is generally stable, but competitive bidding is crucial for ensuring cost efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which is not typically categorized as a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance and adherence to the economic price adjustment terms.
Related Government Programs
- Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for price inflation due to EPA
- Lack of transparent pricing benchmark
- Short contract duration may not reflect long-term value
Tags
office-supplies-and-stationery-stores, general-services-administration, mo, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $4,256 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. TOWEL,PAPERCHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.
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 $4,256.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.
What is the typical price range for similar paper towel contracts awarded through full and open competition?
Without access to specific contract details or market research, it's challenging to provide an exact price range. However, contracts awarded under full and open competition generally yield lower prices due to market forces. Comparing this contract's unit price to publicly available GSA schedules or other agency contracts for similar paper products would be necessary for a meaningful benchmark.
What specific factors justified the limited competition for this paper towel contract?
The data indicates the award was made to the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). NIB is a mandatory source for federal agencies under certain regulations, often due to its mission to employ individuals with blindness. The justification for limited competition likely stems from these specific statutory or regulatory requirements that prioritize NIB's participation.
How does the economic price adjustment clause impact the final cost to taxpayers?
The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for changes in the contract price based on fluctuations in specific economic factors, such as the cost of raw materials or labor. While intended to protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases, an EPA can lead to higher final costs for taxpayers if those economic factors rise significantly, especially without a competitive baseline to constrain the adjustments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305
Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,256
Exercised Options: $4,256
Current Obligation: $4,256
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-08
Potential End Date: 2026-04-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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