GSA awards $32K contract for hand sanitizer, highlighting essential supply chain needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,017 ($32.0K)

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: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SANITIZER,HAND

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $32,016.6 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: SANITIZER,HAND Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focus on specific needs rather than large-scale procurement. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market exploration. 3. Short duration indicates a tactical purchase, possibly to fill an immediate gap. 4. The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, suggests a focus on supporting specific populations. 5. The contract falls under the 'Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers' NAICS code, indicating a broad category of goods. 6. The absence of a Public Service Code (PSC) makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $32,016.60 is modest. Without comparable sole-source contracts for hand sanitizer from the same agency or for similar quantities, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition limits the ability to benchmark against market rates or identify potential savings. The price per unit, if calculable, would be a key factor in a more detailed analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was considered. The justification for this approach is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards occur when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This lack of competition means that the government did not explore potential savings or innovations that could arise from a competitive bidding process. The number of bidders was effectively one.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitive procurements, as the potential for price reduction through bidding is absent.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal employees or facilities requiring hand sanitizer. The service delivered is the provision of essential hygiene supplies. The geographic impact is likely limited to the locations served by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. There are no immediate indications of significant workforce implications from this specific contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award.
Short contract duration might indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind aligns with potential socio-economic goals.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
The contract ensures the availability of essential supplies.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of hand sanitizer falls within the broader wholesale trade sector, specifically merchant wholesalers of equipment and supplies. This contract represents a small expenditure within the vast federal acquisition landscape for general supplies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other GSA contracts for similar hygiene products or other agencies' procurements of bulk sanitizing agents, which are often subject to competitive bidding to ensure best value.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary consideration or requirement for this specific contract. As a sole-source award, there were no subcontracting opportunities explicitly set aside for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is negligible for this particular transaction, as it did not involve competitive solicitation where small businesses could bid or be subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which caps the government's liability. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of detailed justification provided in the data. Inspector General oversight would apply if any irregularities or fraud were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) procurements
Public Health Supplies
Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Limited data on specific product details and quantity.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $32,016.6 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. SANITIZER,HAND

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 $32,016.6.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific type and quantity of hand sanitizer being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SANITIZER,HAND' under NAICS code '423850' (Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers). However, the specific type (e.g., gel, spray, liquid) and precise quantity (e.g., number of bottles, volume) are not detailed in the available information. The contract value is $32,016.60 over a 7-day period. Without more granular details, it's impossible to determine the exact product or the volume procured, which would be crucial for a detailed unit cost analysis or comparison.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data explicitly states the contract type is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which is synonymous with a sole-source award. However, the specific justification or rationale for why only National Industries for the Blind could satisfy the agency's needs is not provided. Typical reasons for sole-source awards include unique capabilities, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or specific statutory authorities. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess whether this was the most appropriate procurement method or if it potentially limited cost savings for the government.

How does the awardee, National Industries for the Blind, fit into the context of this procurement?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is an organization that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, which mandates federal agencies purchase certain products and services from non-profit agencies employing people who are blind. While the data indicates 'ss: false' and 'sb: false' (suggesting it's not a small business set-aside in the typical sense), NIB's involvement often aligns with socio-economic procurement goals. This contract likely leverages NIB's capabilities to provide essential supplies while supporting employment opportunities for individuals who are blind.

What is the historical spending pattern for hand sanitizer by the General Services Administration?

The provided data only includes details for this single contract award. To analyze historical spending patterns for hand sanitizer by the GSA, one would need access to broader contract databases covering multiple years and various contract vehicles (e.g., Federal Supply Schedules, other IDIQs, direct awards). This would allow for an assessment of trends in volume, pricing, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards for such essential supplies over time. Without that broader dataset, historical context for this specific $32,016.60 award cannot be established.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential supplies like hand sanitizer?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential supplies like hand sanitizer is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achievable through a competitive process. Without competing offers, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to drive down costs and potentially discover more innovative or cost-effective solutions. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of strategic planning or market research, potentially leading to missed opportunities for better value or longer-term supply chain stability.

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: $32,017

Exercised Options: $32,017

Current Obligation: $32,017

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