GSA awards $4.26M contract for filing cabinets, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,256 ($4.3K)

Contractor: Metro Office Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 35 days

Daily Burn Rate: $122/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET

Place of Performance

Location: BELCAMP, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21017

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,256.1 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: FILING CABINET Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.26M for office furniture suggests significant demand for basic supplies. 2. The use of a BPA Call indicates a streamlined procurement process for recurring needs. 3. Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost escalation over the contract term. 4. The contract is for a relatively short duration of 35 days, suggesting an urgent or specific need. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214 points to a specialized manufacturing sector. 6. The award to Metro Office Solutions Inc. represents a single vendor for this specific requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.26 million for filing cabinets over a 35-day period appears high for the specified goods. Without more detailed specifications on the quantity and type of cabinets, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The inclusion of an economic price adjustment clause also introduces uncertainty regarding the final cost, potentially inflating the value beyond initial expectations. Further analysis of unit pricing and comparison to GSA Schedule pricing for similar items would be necessary to definitively assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, the award type is a BPA Call, which is a task order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. The specific competition details within the BPA itself are not provided here, but the initial BPA award would have been competed. The fact that it's a BPA Call suggests that the government has pre-vetted vendors and established terms, potentially leading to more efficient procurement but possibly limiting the breadth of competition for individual calls.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices. However, the specific details of the BPA and the number of bidders for this particular call are crucial to understanding the extent of price discovery achieved.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring office furniture, specifically filing cabinets, will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential office storage solutions to support administrative functions. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in Maryland (ST: MD, SN: MARYLAND), where the contractor is based. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and delivery of the furniture.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates.
Short contract duration may indicate a rushed procurement or potential for future contract modifications.
Lack of detail on specific cabinet types and quantities makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
BPA Call mechanism can streamline procurement for recurring needs.
Contract is for a specific, tangible product (filing cabinets).

Sector Analysis

The office furniture manufacturing sector is a mature industry within the broader manufacturing economy. Companies like Metro Office Solutions Inc. operate within this space, often supplying government contracts through GSA Schedules or other competitive vehicles. The market size for government office furniture procurement is substantial, driven by the continuous need for equipping federal facilities. This contract fits within the typical spending patterns for office supplies and equipment within the federal government, often procured through established agreements like BPAs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB: false) was not a factor in this specific award, nor was it a small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary awardee is likely a larger entity, and the contract does not appear to be structured to specifically benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides for this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. The contract's performance and adherence to terms would be monitored by GSA contracting officers. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Furniture Manufacturing Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Lack of specific quantity and product details hinders thorough value analysis.
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or potential for future modifications.
Competition level for the specific BPA Call is not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,256.1 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC. FILING CABINET

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,256.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the specific quantity and type of filing cabinets being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or detailed specifications (e.g., material, size, number of drawers, security features) of the filing cabinets being procured. The contract is categorized under NAICS code 337214, which covers 'Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing.' This lack of specificity makes it challenging to perform a precise cost-benefit analysis or to compare the unit pricing effectively against market benchmarks or other government contracts without further information. Understanding these details is crucial for assessing the true value and necessity of the $4.26 million award.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause function, and what is its potential impact on the final cost?

An Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause allows for an increase (or decrease) in the contract price based on specified economic factors, such as changes in labor costs, material costs, or other indices. For this contract, the EPA clause means the final price paid for the filing cabinets may be higher than the initial $4.26 million if the specified economic indicators rise during the contract period. This clause is often included to protect contractors from unforeseen market fluctuations, but it introduces cost uncertainty for the government and taxpayers. The specific index or formula governing the EPA would need to be reviewed to quantify the potential cost escalation.

What is the historical spending pattern for filing cabinets or similar office furniture by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for filing cabinets and office furniture by the GSA would reveal trends in procurement volume, average prices, and the types of contracts utilized. Analyzing past awards under GSA Schedules or BPAs for similar items can provide context for the current $4.26 million award. For instance, if historical spending on comparable items has been significantly lower or if contracts were awarded at different price points, it might indicate an anomaly or a change in market conditions. Without access to this historical data, it's difficult to determine if this contract represents a typical or an outlier expenditure for the GSA.

What is the track record of Metro Office Solutions Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for office furniture?

The track record of Metro Office Solutions Inc. is a key factor in assessing the reliability and performance risk associated with this contract. Information on their past performance, including on-time delivery rates, product quality, and customer satisfaction with previous federal contracts, would be valuable. Examining their history with GSA or other agencies for similar furniture procurements can indicate their capacity and experience. A positive performance history suggests a lower risk of delivery issues or quality problems, while a history of issues might warrant closer scrutiny and more robust oversight.

How many bids were received for this specific BPA Call, and what does this imply about competition?

The provided data states the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' and is a 'BPA CALL'. While this indicates the initial Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) was competed broadly, it does not specify the number of bids received for this particular task order (call) against the BPA. If only one or a very limited number of vendors responded to this specific call, it could suggest that competition for this particular requirement was not robust, potentially impacting price discovery. Conversely, if multiple vendors competed, it strengthens the likelihood of a fair market price being achieved.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing › Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

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: 4692 MILLENNIUM DR, BELCAMP, MD, 21017

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,256

Exercised Options: $4,256

Current Obligation: $4,256

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA23A08NC

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline