GSA Awards $4.47M Shredding Machine Contract to Whitaker Brothers Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,466 ($4.5K)

Contractor: Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-16

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $99/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SHREDDING MACHINE,P

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,465.76 to WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC. for work described as: SHREDDING MACHINE,P Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.47 million for shredding machines. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability. 3. Potential risk associated with the specific model and its long-term support. 4. Spending falls within the IT hardware and office equipment sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.47 million for shredding machines appears reasonable given the duration and potential quantity. However, without specific unit pricing or comparison to similar government or commercial contracts for comparable shredding capabilities, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is taxpayer-beneficial as it drives down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures secure destruction of sensitive government documents. Supports operational needs for agencies requiring physical data disposal. Potential for widespread use across various federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for obsolescence of shredding technology.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical service.
Limited data on specific shredding capabilities and security levels.

Positive Signals

Awarded through competitive bidding.
Clear contract end date.
Fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the IT and office equipment sector, specifically related to data destruction. Spending benchmarks for shredding equipment vary widely based on capacity and security features, but $4.47 million over 45 days suggests a significant volume or high-end equipment.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded through full and open competition, there is no specific indication of small business participation in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) manages this contract, indicating established oversight processes. The Federal Acquisition Service is responsible for procurement, and the BPA Call mechanism suggests adherence to pre-negotiated terms.

Related Government Programs

Computer Storage Device Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of specific technical specifications.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary solution.
Potential for higher per-unit cost due to limited competition scope.
No clear indication of small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,465.76 to WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC.. SHREDDING MACHINE,P

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,465.76.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-16.

What is the specific shredding capacity and security level of the machines being procured?

The provided data does not specify the shredding capacity (e.g., sheets per minute, particle size) or the security level (e.g., NSA-approved) of the shredding machines. This information is crucial for assessing if the procured equipment meets the actual needs of the General Services Administration and ensures adequate destruction of sensitive information.

How does the per-unit cost compare to similar shredding machines available on the market?

Without specific unit pricing or detailed specifications for the shredding machines, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible. The total award value of $4.47 million over a short period suggests either a large quantity of machines or high-end, specialized equipment. Benchmarking against commercial or other government contracts would be necessary for a thorough cost analysis.

What is the long-term strategy for shredding services beyond this contract?

This contract has a short duration of 45 days, ending in May 2026. This suggests it may be a short-term solution or a bridge contract. The government's long-term strategy for secure document destruction, including potential future procurements, service contracts, or technology upgrades, is not detailed in the provided data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Computer Storage Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE MACH/TEXT PROCESS/VISIB REC

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3 TAFT CT, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,466

Exercised Options: $4,466

Current Obligation: $4,466

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A000A

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline