GSA awards $9,199.92 BPA Call for FIST KITs, including stationery and writing supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,200 ($9.2K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-12

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $836/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,199.92 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused procurement for specific supplies. 2. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call indicates a pre-negotiated agreement for efficient ordering. 3. The fixed-price structure with economic price adjustment offers some protection against market fluctuations. 4. The short duration of the call (11 days) points to an immediate need for these supplies. 5. The procurement falls under stationery product manufacturing, a common category for office supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9,199.92 for a FIST KIT is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the kit's contents and intended use. However, given the nature of the items (notebooks, pens, paper), the price appears reasonable for a bulk purchase. The use of a BPA call suggests that pricing was likely established through a prior competitive process, implying a degree of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive environment that should drive fair pricing. The use of a BPA call implies that the underlying BPA was also competitively awarded.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible prices through a competitive process for these essential supplies.

Public Impact

Federal employees requiring field-specific equipment kits (FIST KITs) will receive necessary stationery and writing supplies. The services delivered are the provision of essential office and field supplies. The geographic impact is primarily within Washington state, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include ensuring that personnel have the tools needed for their daily tasks and record-keeping.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the FIST KIT contents makes it hard to assess if all necessary components are included at this price point.
The short duration of the BPA call could indicate a potential for future urgent needs that might not be met efficiently if not planned for.
Economic price adjustment, while offering some flexibility, could lead to increased costs if market prices for stationery rise significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive pricing environment.
The use of a BPA call streamlines the procurement process for these specific supplies.
The fixed-price element provides cost certainty for a portion of the contract.
The contractor, J.L. Darling, LLC, is a known entity in the stationery and related products market.

Sector Analysis

The stationery product manufacturing sector is a mature industry that supplies a wide range of essential goods to government and commercial entities. Federal spending in this area typically supports routine operational needs. This contract, for specific FIST KITs, represents a small but necessary component of the broader federal procurement landscape for office and field supplies, likely falling within the General Services Administration's (GSA) efforts to consolidate and manage common supply needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have significant subcontracting implications based on its size and nature. The award to J.L. Darling, LLC, a company that may or may not be a small business, does not indicate a specific focus on promoting small business participation in this particular BPA call. Further analysis would be needed to determine the overall small business utilization by the prime contractor on larger agreements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract falls under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically its Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it is a task order against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. Oversight would involve ensuring compliance with the terms of the BPA, proper utilization of funds, and timely delivery of goods. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the broader GSA oversight framework.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies Procurement
Stationery and Related Products
General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Lack of quantity specified for the FIST KIT.
Limited detail on the specific components within the FIST KIT.
Potential for cost increases due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,199.92 to JL DARLING, LLC. FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4M-KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JL DARLING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,199.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-12.

What is the typical composition and cost of a 'FIST KIT' as procured by the federal government?

The provided data indicates that the 'FIST KIT - MULTICAM CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS' procured by J.L. Darling, LLC for the General Services Administration (GSA) cost $9,199.92. However, the exact number of kits included in this BPA Call is not specified, making it difficult to determine the per-kit cost. Generally, a FIST (Field Information Support Terminal) kit is designed to provide mobile personnel with essential tools for data collection, communication, and documentation in the field. This often includes ruggedized cases, notebooks, writing instruments, and potentially other small electronic or organizational accessories. The specific contents and their unit costs can vary significantly based on agency requirements and the level of ruggedization or specialization needed. Without a quantity, a precise per-unit cost benchmark is not feasible from this data alone.

How does the pricing of this FIST KIT compare to similar federal or commercial procurements?

Direct price comparison for this specific 'FIST KIT' is challenging without knowing the exact quantity procured and the detailed list of included items. The total award of $9,199.92 is for a BPA Call, which is a specific order against a larger Blanket Purchase Agreement. The nature of the items (notebooks, pens, paper, case) suggests that the bulk of the cost might be attributed to the case and potentially specialized notebooks, rather than the common stationery items. If this were a large quantity of standard office supplies, the price might seem high. However, if it includes specialized, durable field equipment and cases, the price could be competitive. Benchmarking would require identifying contracts for similar field kits or bundled office supplies with comparable quality and quantity.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (EPA) for stationery supplies?

A fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (EPA) for stationery supplies presents a mixed risk profile. The fixed-price component offers cost certainty for the base amount, protecting the government from minor price increases. However, the EPA clause introduces risk if the market prices for raw materials (like paper pulp, plastics for pens, or ink) or finished goods experience significant inflation during the contract period. For stationery, which often has stable pricing, the risk might be lower than for commodities with volatile markets. The primary risk is that the EPA could lead to higher-than-expected costs for the government if inflation outpaces projections, potentially negating some of the benefits of the fixed-price structure. Conversely, if prices decrease, the government might not fully benefit unless the EPA is structured symmetrically.

What is the significance of this contract being awarded as a BPA Call under the General Services Administration (GSA)?

Awarding this contract as a BPA Call under the GSA signifies an efficient procurement strategy for common or recurring needs. GSA establishes large, competitively awarded Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) with vendors for various supplies and services. Agencies can then issue 'calls' or 'orders' against these BPAs, streamlining the acquisition process. For taxpayers, this means reduced administrative burden and potentially better pricing due to the consolidated buying power leveraged by GSA. It indicates that J.L. Darling, LLC has an existing relationship and pre-negotiated terms with GSA, allowing for rapid fulfillment of this specific requirement for stationery and related items, likely for a particular agency or program.

What does the '322230' NAICS code indicate about the nature of this procurement?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code '322230' specifically designates 'Stationery Product Manufacturing'. This code indicates that the primary business activity of the contractor, J.L. Darling, LLC, in relation to this contract, is the manufacturing of stationery products. This includes items such as envelopes, stationery, note pads, carbon paper, and other related paper goods. For this procurement, it confirms that the FIST KIT includes manufactured stationery items, aligning with the description of notebooks, printer paper, and pens. This classification helps categorize the contract within the broader industrial landscape and informs spending analysis related to the manufacturing sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Stationery Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

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: 2614 PACIFIC HWY E, FIFE, WA, 98424

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,200

Exercised Options: $9,200

Current Obligation: $9,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline