GSA awards $9,809 contract for mechanical pencils, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,809 ($9.8K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PENCIL, MECHANICAL: ITEM NAME PENCIL, MECHANICAL PENCIL TIP SZ 0.7 MM OVERALL ERASER LENGTH 36.50 MM PENCIL POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE DOUBLE POINT NOT PROVIDED MECHANISM TYPE CLUTCH ACTION BARREL COLOR BLACK OPERATING MECHANISM TYPE AUTOMATIC

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,809.01 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: PENCIL, MECHANICAL: ITEM NAME PENCIL, MECHANICAL PENCIL TIP SZ 0.7 MM OVERALL ERASER LENGTH 36.50 MM PENCIL POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE DOUBLE POINT NOT PROVIDED MECHANISM TYPE CLUTCH ACTION BARREL COLOR BLACK OPERATING MECHANISM TYPE AUTOMATIC Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a focus on specific office supply needs. 2. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) structure warrants monitoring for cost increases. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a healthy market for this product. 4. Contract duration is very short, potentially for immediate or pilot needs. 5. The award to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC is for a specific item, not a broad category. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940 points to office supplies manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9,809 is relatively small, making direct comparisons difficult without more context on the quantity and specific type of mechanical pencils. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) clause introduces a variable that could impact the final cost. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule awards for office supplies would be necessary to determine if the initial pricing is competitive, especially considering potential future adjustments.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation indicates a robust bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among suppliers.

Public Impact

Federal employees requiring writing instruments will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential office supplies, specifically mechanical pencils with 0.7mm tips. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as GSA schedules are used across federal agencies. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting administrative and supply chain personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases due to the economic price adjustment clause.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for frequent re-competition or pilot testing.
Limited scope to a single item type (mechanical pencils) may require separate procurements for other office supplies.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Contract supports essential office operations for federal agencies.
GSA Schedule contract provides a streamlined procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies sector, which is a mature and competitive market. The specific item, mechanical pencils, is a common commodity. GSA Schedules, like the MAS (Multiple Award Schedule) program under which this appears to be awarded, are a primary vehicle for federal agencies to procure such goods and services efficiently. Spending benchmarks for office supplies can vary widely, but individual item costs are typically low.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC may be a small business, the award itself does not reflect a small business set-aside. Subcontracting implications are not detailed, but for a contract of this size and nature, significant subcontracting is unlikely.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for GSA Schedule contracts is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability is tied to the terms of the contract, including delivery schedules and pricing. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Office Supplies Procurement
Writing Instruments

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Short Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,809.01 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. PENCIL, MECHANICAL: ITEM NAME PENCIL, MECHANICAL PENCIL TIP SZ 0.7 MM OVERALL ERASER LENGTH 36.50 MM PENCIL POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE DOUBLE POINT NOT PROVIDED MECHANISM TYPE CLUTCH ACTION BARREL COLOR BLACK OPERATING MECHANISM TYPE AUTOMATIC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,809.01.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the typical unit cost for a 0.7mm mechanical pencil under GSA contracts?

Determining a precise 'typical' unit cost for a 0.7mm mechanical pencil under GSA contracts is challenging without more specific data points like quantity ordered and the exact GSA Schedule contract vehicle. However, based on general market knowledge and typical GSA Schedule pricing for commodity office supplies, individual mechanical pencils often range from less than a dollar to a few dollars each, depending on brand, quality, and bulk discounts. The FPEPA clause also introduces variability. To provide a more accurate benchmark, one would need to compare this specific award against other GSA Schedule BPAs or individual orders for similar items, considering the total quantity and the specific contract line item number (CLIN) details.

What is the significance of the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) contract type for this procurement?

The FPEPA contract type means that the price is fixed for a period, but it can be adjusted upwards or downwards based on an economic index or other factors specified in the contract. For a commodity like mechanical pencils, this clause is often included to protect the contractor from significant fluctuations in raw material costs or manufacturing expenses over the contract's term. For the government, it introduces a risk of paying more than initially anticipated if economic conditions lead to price increases. The specific index and adjustment formula within the contract are crucial for understanding the potential financial impact on the government and for effective price monitoring by the contracting officer.

How does the short contract duration (6 days) impact the overall value and strategy of this award?

A contract duration of only 6 days (from April 1, 2026, to April 7, 2026) is exceptionally short and suggests this is likely a call order against a larger Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) or a very specific, immediate need. It is not indicative of a long-term supply agreement. This short timeframe implies the procurement is for a small quantity, an urgent requirement, or potentially a test order to evaluate the supplier or product before a larger commitment. The value of $9,809 is therefore likely for a limited quantity within that short window, and the strategy is focused on rapid fulfillment rather than sustained supply.

What does the NAICS code 339940 ('Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing') imply about the contractor or the product?

The NAICS code 339940 indicates that the primary business activity of the contractor, or at least the category under which this contract is classified, is the manufacturing of office supplies excluding paper products. This suggests that NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC is either a manufacturer of mechanical pencils or a distributor/reseller of products manufactured within this industrial classification. It helps to contextualize the type of business involved and the broader industry segment the contract serves. It implies the product is a standard office supply item rather than a specialized or technical good.

What is the potential risk associated with awarding a contract for office supplies to a company with 'LOGISTICS' in its name?

The inclusion of 'LOGISTICS' in the company name, NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC, primarily suggests a focus on the supply chain and distribution aspects of the business. For office supplies, this is generally not a significant risk factor, as efficient delivery and inventory management are key components of fulfilling such contracts. The primary risks would stem from the contractor's ability to provide the specified quality of goods, meet delivery timelines, and manage pricing effectively, especially with the FPEPA clause. The 'logistics' aspect implies competence in handling the physical movement and storage of goods, which is beneficial for this type of procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) 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: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,809

Exercised Options: $9,809

Current Obligation: $9,809

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline