GSA Awards $6.1M Contract for All-Weather Notebooks to JL Darling, LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,133 ($6.1K)
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: $558/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT
Sector: Other
Official Description: NOTEBOOK,ALL WEATHE
Place of Performance
Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $6,133.28 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: NOTEBOOK,ALL WEATHE Key points: 1. Contract value of $6.13 million for stationery products. 2. Awarded to JL Darling, LLC, a single vendor. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open', suggesting broad market access. 4. The sector is primarily office supplies and manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract uses a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause, which can lead to cost fluctuations. Benchmarking against similar stationery contracts is difficult without specific product details, but the EPA adds a layer of uncertainty to the final cost.
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. The award method was a BPA Call, which is a mechanism to procure from an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally positive for taxpayers as it aims to secure competitive pricing. However, the fixed price with EPA introduces potential for increased costs over the contract term.
Public Impact
Ensures availability of essential supplies for government operations. Supports a specific manufacturer, JL Darling, LLC. Potential for price increases due to economic adjustments. The contract duration is 11 months, suggesting a need for ongoing supply.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Economic Price Adjustment clause may increase costs.
- Limited contract duration (11 months) may require re-competition soon.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under Full and Open Competition.
- Clear vendor and product type identified.
Sector Analysis
The stationery and office supply sector is generally characterized by stable demand and competitive pricing. This contract falls within the broader manufacturing and office equipment category, with typical benchmarks influenced by material costs and production volume.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication of small business participation in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the product limits small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this award through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and managing the BPA call process.
Related Government Programs
- Stationery Product Manufacturing
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to EPA.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition.
- Dependence on a single vendor for this specific product.
Tags
stationery-product-manufacturing, general-services-administration, wa, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $6,133.28 to JL DARLING, LLC. NOTEBOOK,ALL WEATHE
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 $6,133.28.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-12.
What is the specific justification for the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in this contract, and what are the projected maximum price increases?
The justification for the EPA clause typically relates to anticipated fluctuations in raw material costs, labor, or other economic factors impacting the price of goods over the contract period. Without specific details from the contract award, it's difficult to ascertain the exact drivers. Agencies often include caps or limits on EPA adjustments to mitigate excessive cost increases for taxpayers.
How does the unit price of these 'all-weather notebooks' compare to commercially available similar products, considering the EPA clause?
A direct comparison of unit price is challenging without knowing the exact specifications of the 'all-weather notebooks' and the base price before any economic adjustments. Commercial notebooks vary widely in quality and features. The EPA clause introduces a variable that makes a static price comparison unreliable, as the final cost could be higher than initially stated.
What is the historical performance record of JL Darling, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly regarding quality and delivery timelines?
Assessing JL Darling, LLC's historical performance is crucial for understanding the reliability of this contract. Reviewing past contract data, including on-time delivery rates, product quality feedback, and any past disputes or issues, would provide insight into potential risks and the likelihood of successful contract execution.
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: $6,133
Exercised Options: $6,133
Current Obligation: $6,133
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-04-12
Potential End Date: 2026-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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