GSA awards $5,016.60 contract for waste receptacles to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,017 ($5.0K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $717/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,016.6 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a non-profit organization dedicated to employing individuals with blindness. 2. Short contract duration of 7 days suggests a specific, immediate need. 3. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment contract type may lead to cost fluctuations. 4. Awarded under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) likely indicates pre-negotiated pricing. 5. The specific item, waste receptacles, is a common office supply with many potential vendors. 6. Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes outcome assessment difficult.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5,016.60 for a 7-day delivery order of waste receptacles is relatively small. Given the award to National Industries for the Blind, a preferred source for certain government procurements, the pricing is likely competitive within its niche. Benchmarking against similar, larger contracts for office supplies would be difficult due to the specific nature and short duration of this order. However, the value appears reasonable for the quantity and type of goods likely procured.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS), which typically involves pre-competed contracts. However, the specific award mechanism for this delivery order is not detailed, and the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggests it might have been a sole-source or limited competition award, potentially leveraging existing agreements or specific requirements. Without more information on the competition for this specific delivery order, it's hard to definitively assess the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition, especially if sole-source, may result in less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully open and competitive process. However, leveraging existing FSS contracts can streamline procurement and ensure timely delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Industries for the Blind, which utilizes government contracts to provide employment for individuals who are blind. The contract delivers essential office supplies (waste receptacles) to a federal agency. The geographic impact is localized to the delivery location within Missouri. The contract supports the employment of individuals with blindness, contributing to workforce inclusion.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to limited competition or sole-source award.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces uncertainty in final cost.
Short duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Supports a mission-driven organization (National Industries for the Blind) that employs individuals with blindness.
Utilizes the Federal Supply Schedule, a mechanism designed for efficient government procurement.
The contract value is modest, minimizing significant financial risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and equipment sector, a mature market with numerous suppliers. The General Services Administration (GSA) manages a vast array of contracts for such items through its Federal Supply Schedules. Awards to organizations like National Industries for the Blind are common under specific provisions designed to support employment for individuals with disabilities. Spending on office supplies by federal agencies is consistent, but individual delivery orders are typically small.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the primary contractor, National Industries for the Blind, is a large non-profit organization. There is no information regarding subcontracting requirements or implications for the small business ecosystem in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order under an existing FSS contract, the initial award and pricing would have undergone GSA's review. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance monitoring specifics are not publicly available. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Procurement for Individuals with Disabilities

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Economic Price Adjustment Clause

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,016.6 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,016.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the typical pricing for similar waste receptacles under GSA contracts?

Determining the exact 'typical' pricing for these specific waste receptacles is challenging without more detailed product specifications and the exact FSS contract number. However, GSA's Federal Supply Schedules aim to provide fair and reasonable pricing. For common items like waste receptacles, prices can range significantly based on material (plastic, metal), size, design (open-top, self-closing), and quantity. A basic plastic waste bin might cost a few dollars, while a larger, more durable metal receptacle could cost upwards of $50-$100 or more. Given the $5,016.60 award for a 7-day delivery, it suggests a moderate quantity of standard receptacles, likely falling within a reasonable price range for government procurement, especially when considering the mission of the awardee.

What does 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' imply for this specific award?

'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (often associated with sole-source or limited competition awards) suggests that the government agency did not solicit bids from multiple vendors for this particular delivery order. This could be due to several reasons, such as awarding to a mandatory source (like National Industries for the Blind for certain products), leveraging an existing contract where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement, or specific urgency that precluded a full competition. While it ensures a specific vendor is used, it may limit the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price compared to a fully open bidding process. The justification for this status would typically be documented by the contracting officer.

How does the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause affect the final cost?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause allows for an increase (or decrease) in the contract price based on specified economic factors, such as changes in the cost of labor or materials. For this contract, it means the final price paid might be higher or lower than the initial estimated price if the costs associated with producing or acquiring the waste receptacles change during the contract period. This clause is often included to protect contractors from unforeseen cost increases, particularly in longer-term contracts or those with volatile input costs. For taxpayers, it introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the final expenditure.

What is the significance of awarding to National Industries for the Blind?

Awarding this contract to National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is significant because NIB is a non-profit agency that fulfills the government's mandate to procure products and services from non-profit agencies employing individuals with blindness. This is often done through the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act program. By awarding contracts to NIB, the government directly supports employment opportunities and economic independence for a specific population group. These contracts are often awarded non-competitively or with limited competition, prioritizing the social mission alongside the procurement of goods and services.

What are the potential risks associated with a 7-day contract duration?

A contract duration of only 7 days, as seen in this award, typically indicates a requirement for immediate fulfillment, such as a stock-out or an urgent operational need. The primary risk is that the short timeframe might not allow for thorough vetting of the product quality or the vendor's delivery capabilities, potentially leading to delays or substandard goods if the vendor is not well-prepared. It also suggests that this is not part of a long-term strategic sourcing plan but rather an immediate, tactical procurement. For the vendor, the risk lies in meeting the tight deadline and ensuring product availability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,017

Exercised Options: $5,017

Current Obligation: $5,017

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline