GSA awards $5,620 for specialized non-metallic tapes, highlighting a niche manufacturing need

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,620 ($5.6K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-16

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $375/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TREAD,NONMETALLIC,NGENERAL PURPOSE SLIP RESISTENT TAPES AND TREADS, 24'' X 60' ROLL, BLACK.

Place of Performance

Location: SHREVEPORT, CADDO County, LOUISIANA, 71103

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,620.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: TREAD,NONMETALLIC,NGENERAL PURPOSE SLIP RESISTENT TAPES AND TREADS, 24'' X 60' ROLL, BLACK. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a specific, low-volume requirement. 2. National Industries for the Blind is the sole awardee, indicating a potential non-competitive procurement. 3. The short duration of 15 days points to an immediate or urgent need. 4. The product is a specialized industrial tape, likely for safety or operational purposes. 5. The award falls under 'All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing', a broad category. 6. The fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5,620 is minimal, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. Given the specialized nature of the product and the sole awardee, assessing value-for-money is challenging without market research data. However, the fixed-price nature provides a degree of cost control. The unit price for a 24'' x 60' roll of specialized tape at this quantity is not readily benchmarkable without further context on material specifications and market availability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, as indicated by the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status. This means the General Services Administration did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. The lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is less assurance that the government secured the best possible price for these specialized tapes.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized non-metallic, slip-resistant tapes for safety or operational purposes will benefit from this contract. The service delivered is the provision of specific industrial tapes. The geographic impact is likely limited to the locations where these tapes are deployed by federal agencies. There are no significant workforce implications directly tied to this small contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports a specific mission-oriented organization.
Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Product specification appears to meet a defined need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 326299). This is a broad category encompassing various rubber goods. The market for specialized industrial tapes is niche, often serving specific safety or operational requirements within government and industry. Benchmarking spending in this precise sub-segment is difficult due to its specificity, but overall federal spending on industrial supplies and materials is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which is not typically classified as a small business for set-aside purposes, though it serves a specific population. There is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements for this particular award. The direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is minimal due to the contract's size and nature.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability is maintained through the fixed-price contract terms and delivery requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with justification typically residing within GSA's procurement files.

Related Government Programs

Industrial Supplies
Safety Equipment
Specialty Materials

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing assurance.
Limited public information on the justification for sole-source procurement.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive rather than planned procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,620.4 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. TREAD,NONMETALLIC,NGENERAL PURPOSE SLIP RESISTENT TAPES AND TREADS, 24'' X 60' ROLL, BLACK.

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 $5,620.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-16.

What is the specific application or need for these specialized non-metallic, slip-resistant tapes?

The provided data describes the product as 'TREAD, NONMETALLIC, NGENERAL PURPOSE SLIP RESISTANT TAPES AND TREADS, 24" X 60' ROLL, BLACK.' This suggests the tape is intended for creating non-slip surfaces, likely for safety purposes in environments where floors or equipment can become wet or hazardous. Applications could include marine vessels, industrial walkways, ramps, or areas prone to spills. The 'non-metallic' aspect implies it might be used in environments where metal components could cause issues (e.g., corrosion, electrical conductivity concerns) or where a specific texture is desired. The 'general purpose' designation indicates it's not tailored for an extremely unique, highly specialized niche but rather a common safety requirement within industrial or operational settings.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis to National Industries for the Blind?

The contract was designated 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. While the specific justification is not detailed in the provided data, common reasons for sole-source awards include unique capabilities of the vendor, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or specific government programs that direct procurement to certain entities. National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a major non-profit agency that provides employment opportunities for people who are blind. Federal procurement regulations often provide avenues for awarding contracts to such organizations, sometimes through specific programs like AbilityOne, which may lead to sole-source or limited competition awards to ensure these employment opportunities are met. The government likely determined that NIB was the only or most appropriate source to fulfill this requirement under applicable procurement rules.

What is the typical price range for similar non-metallic, slip-resistant tapes in the market?

Determining a precise market price range for '24" x 60' roll, black, non-metallic, general purpose slip-resistant tape' without more specific product details (e.g., material composition, adhesive strength, durability rating, brand) is challenging. However, based on general market knowledge for industrial safety tapes, a single roll of this size and type could range anywhere from $30 to $150 or more, depending heavily on quality, brand, and specific features. The contract value of $5,620 for an unspecified number of rolls (implied by the total value and unit description) suggests either a small quantity or a higher-than-average unit cost if the $5,620 represents only a few rolls. Without knowing the quantity purchased, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny.

What is the significance of the short contract duration (15 days)?

The contract has a very short performance period, from April 1, 2026, to April 16, 2026 (15 days). This brevity suggests an immediate or urgent need for the specified tapes. It could indicate a requirement to replenish stock quickly, address an unexpected operational gap, or fulfill a time-sensitive project deadline. Such short durations often accompany delivery orders against existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or are used for immediate, low-volume needs. It implies that the government did not require a long-term supply agreement for this particular item at this time, focusing instead on a rapid fulfillment of a specific, short-term demand.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for industrial supplies by the General Services Administration?

This $5,620 contract is exceptionally small within the context of GSA's overall spending on industrial supplies. GSA, through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), manages vast procurement portfolios covering a wide array of goods and services, often in multi-million or billion-dollar programs. Contracts for items like industrial tapes, even specialized ones, are typically part of larger schedules or IDIQ vehicles. A standalone award of this size, especially sole-source, is likely an exception or a very specific, low-demand item. Broader GSA spending in industrial supplies would encompass categories like maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) equipment, tools, cleaning supplies, and construction materials, where competition and volume are significantly higher.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Rubber Product Manufacturing › All Other Rubber Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HOUSEHOLD/COMMERC FURNISH/APPLIANCE

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, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,620

Exercised Options: $5,620

Current Obligation: $5,620

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS03FCA001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline