GSA awards $19.8K for welding shades, highlighting potential for bulk purchasing efficiencies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,757 ($19.8K)

Contractor: MSC Industrial Direct CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-11

Contract Duration: 9 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2X4.25 HORZ SHADE 11 SINGLE AUTO-DARK...

Place of Performance

Location: MELVILLE, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11747

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19,756.5 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. for work described as: 2X4.25 HORZ SHADE 11 SINGLE AUTO-DARK... Key points: 1. Contract value suggests a focus on specific, potentially high-demand items. 2. Limited contract duration may indicate a need for rapid fulfillment or a pilot program. 3. The award to a single vendor warrants scrutiny for potential price advantages or limitations. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. The award falls under hardware stores, indicating a need for operational supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19,756.50 for welding shades appears to be for a relatively small quantity, given the typical scale of federal procurement. Without specific unit counts or detailed product specifications, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the award through a BPA Call suggests that pricing may have been pre-negotiated, potentially offering some level of competitive advantage over ad-hoc purchases. Further benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule purchases for comparable items would be necessary for a more definitive valuation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was a BPA Call suggests that a broader contract vehicle was already in place, allowing for competitive calls against it. The number of bidders (22) is a positive sign for competition, suggesting a healthy market for these types of supplies.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring welding and safety equipment will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the availability of essential safety gear for personnel engaged in welding operations. The primary geographic impact is likely within the New York region, where the vendor is located, but supplies can be distributed nationally. Workforce implications include ensuring the safety and operational readiness of federal employees using welding equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited contract duration (11 days) raises questions about the scope and urgency of the requirement.
The specific item description '2X4.25 HORZ SHADE 11 SINGLE AUTO-DARK' is highly specialized, and the market for such niche items might be limited, potentially impacting future competition.
Lack of detailed quantity information makes it difficult to assess the true value and potential for cost savings.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with 22 bidders indicates a robust market.
Use of a GSA Schedule BPA Call suggests leveraging existing pre-negotiated pricing and streamlined procurement.
Fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial and hardware supplies sector, specifically catering to operational and safety equipment needs. The market for welding supplies is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. GSA Schedules are a primary channel for federal agencies to procure such goods and services, aiming to achieve economies of scale and competitive pricing through pre-vetted vendors. Benchmarking this specific award against other GSA Schedule purchases for similar safety equipment would provide further context on its market positioning.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this particular award (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., is a large business, the analysis does not provide information on their subcontracting plans. It is possible that smaller businesses could be involved in the supply chain for the products, but this contract does not appear to have a direct small business set-aside component.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a GSA Schedule BPA Call, it leverages existing contract vehicles that have undergone initial vetting. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases. Accountability is managed through the terms of the contract and the performance of the vendor against those terms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Industrial Supplies
Safety Equipment Procurement
Welding Equipment

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate urgency or limited scope.
Specialized item could limit future competition.
Lack of quantity data hinders full value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19,756.5 to MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.. 2X4.25 HORZ SHADE 11 SINGLE AUTO-DARK...

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19,756.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-11.

What is the typical lead time for 'auto-dark' welding shades under GSA contracts?

Lead times for specialized items like auto-dark welding shades can vary significantly based on manufacturer stock, order volume, and the specific GSA Schedule contract. For a BPA Call with a short performance period like this one (awarded April 2, 2026, for delivery by April 11, 2026), it implies a need for rapid fulfillment, suggesting the item was likely readily available from the vendor's stock or had a very short supply chain. Typically, standard GSA Schedule orders might have lead times ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on the item's complexity and availability. The urgency indicated here might be due to an immediate operational need or a short-term project requirement.

How does the price of this specific welding shade compare to market rates for similar products?

A precise comparison of the price for this specific '2X4.25 HORZ SHADE 11 SINGLE AUTO-DARK' welding shade against market rates is difficult without knowing the exact quantity purchased and the unit price. The total award is $19,756.50. If this represents a bulk purchase, the unit price could be competitive. However, if it's for a small quantity, the unit price might be higher than retail. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a major supplier, and their GSA Schedule pricing is generally expected to be competitive due to the pre-negotiated nature of the schedule. To perform a true benchmark, one would need to identify the exact number of shades procured and compare that unit cost to similar offerings from other industrial suppliers or online retailers specializing in welding equipment, considering factors like brand, shade level, and auto-darkening features.

What are the risks associated with a short-duration contract for specialized safety equipment?

Short-duration contracts, like this 11-day award, for specialized safety equipment can present several risks. Firstly, it may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning, potentially leading to higher prices if expedited shipping or rush orders are necessary. Secondly, it limits the time available for thorough market research and competition, potentially excluding vendors who require more lead time to prepare bids or fulfill orders. Thirdly, if the requirement is ongoing, a short contract might necessitate frequent re-procurement, increasing administrative burden and the risk of supply chain disruptions between contract periods. Finally, it could signal an urgent, unforeseen operational need, which might imply underlying issues with equipment maintenance or readiness.

What is the significance of awarding this contract through a BPA Call?

Awarding this contract through a BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) Call signifies that a pre-existing GSA Schedule contract was already in place, likely with MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. This method streamlines the procurement process for specific supplies or services. A BPA allows federal agencies to place orders against established contracts with ceiling prices, and a BPA Call is essentially an order placed under that BPA. The significance lies in the potential for efficiency and cost savings, as the pricing and terms have likely been negotiated upfront, and the competition (22 bidders) occurred during the establishment of the underlying BPA or a related contract vehicle. It suggests a recognized need for these types of supplies and a mechanism to fulfill it quickly and competitively.

How does the number of bidders (22) impact the value for taxpayers on this contract?

A high number of bidders, such as 22 in this case, is generally a positive indicator for taxpayers. It suggests robust competition within the market for these specific welding shades. Increased competition typically drives down prices as vendors strive to offer their most competitive bids to secure the contract. Furthermore, a larger pool of bidders increases the likelihood that the government is obtaining the best possible value, balancing price, quality, and delivery terms. This level of competition reduces the risk of price gouging and ensures that taxpayer funds are used more efficiently. The GSA's procurement process, especially under full and open competition, aims to leverage this competitive dynamic.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Hardware Stores

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 22

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 515 BROADHOLLOW RD STE 1000, MELVILLE, NY, 11747

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,757

Exercised Options: $19,757

Current Obligation: $19,757

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSHA21A000T

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline