GSA awards $1.09M contract for toner cartridges, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,863 ($10.9K)

Contractor: Supplies NOW Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-08

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: CARTRIDGE,TONER PN: W2120A BLACK

Place of Performance

Location: GREENACRES, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33463

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10,863 to SUPPLIES NOW INC for work described as: CARTRIDGE,TONER PN: W2120A BLACK Key points: 1. Contract value of $1.09 million for toner cartridges suggests significant volume purchasing. 2. The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' clause introduces potential for cost fluctuations. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a potentially competitive bidding environment. 4. The short performance period (6 days) for this BPA call is unusual for a contract of this value. 5. The contract is for a specific toner cartridge model (W2120A Black), indicating a focused need. 6. The awardee, SUPPLIES NOW INC, is a new entity in this contract data. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940 points to office supplies manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.09 million for toner cartridges needs further benchmarking against similar bulk purchases of this specific model. The 'Economic Price Adjustment' clause introduces uncertainty in the final cost, making a direct value assessment challenging without understanding the potential adjustment range. The short duration of the BPA call (6 days) for such a substantial value raises questions about the efficiency of the procurement process and whether it represents a true value for money or a rushed acquisition.

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. However, the specific details of the bidding process, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided. This level of competition is generally expected to drive competitive pricing, but the presence of an economic price adjustment clause could mitigate some of the price certainty.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it theoretically leads to the best prices. However, the economic price adjustment clause means that taxpayers could end up paying more than the initial fixed price if market conditions change unfavorably.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring W2120A black toner cartridges will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the supply of essential office consumables for government operations. The geographic impact is focused on Florida (ST: FL, SN: FLORIDA), suggesting a regional fulfillment or delivery point. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily related to the logistics and distribution of toner cartridges.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Economic Price Adjustment' clause introduces uncertainty regarding the final cost to taxpayers.
The very short performance period (6 days) for a BPA call of this magnitude is unusual and warrants further investigation into the necessity and efficiency of such a timeline.
Lack of detail on the number of bidders and evaluation process limits a full assessment of competitive dynamics.
The specific toner model suggests a potentially narrow application, which could limit broader market engagement if not managed strategically.

Positive Signals

Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', which generally promotes competitive pricing.
The contract specifies a particular toner model, indicating a clear and defined requirement.
The awardee, SUPPLIES NOW INC, is identified, providing a point of accountability.
The contract is managed under the General Services Administration (GSA), a central procurement authority known for establishing purchasing vehicles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the office supplies sector, specifically focusing on printer consumables. The market for toner cartridges is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors vying for government contracts. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service often leverages Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to streamline the procurement of commonly used supplies like toner, aiming for aggregated purchasing power and reduced administrative burden. Benchmarking this specific award would require comparing unit prices for the W2120A model across different government contracts and commercial price lists, considering volume discounts and contract terms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on fulfilling the requirement through the most competitive means available, rather than specifically targeting small business engagement. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely neutral to minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for fulfillment or related services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it leverages an existing GSA schedule or agreement. Accountability is established through the award to SUPPLIES NOW INC and the defined contract terms. Transparency is partially achieved through public contract data, but details on the bidding process and the specifics of the economic price adjustment mechanism are limited. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Office Supplies Procurement
Printer and Toner Cartridge Contracts
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Short Performance Period
Limited Bidder Information
New Contractor Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10,863 to SUPPLIES NOW INC. CARTRIDGE,TONER PN: W2120A BLACK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SUPPLIES NOW INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,863.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-08.

What is the typical price range for the W2120A black toner cartridge under similar federal contracts or commercial agreements, and how does this award compare?

Determining the exact price range for the W2120A black toner cartridge requires access to a comprehensive database of federal procurement data and commercial price lists, specifically for this model and quantity. However, based on general market knowledge, individual W2120A cartridges can range from $80 to $150 in the commercial market, depending on the vendor and any promotions. For a contract valued at $1.09 million, this implies a significant quantity of cartridges. If we assume an average commercial price of $115 per cartridge, the contract could represent approximately 9,478 cartridges. A more precise comparison would involve analyzing historical GSA Schedule pricing for this item, looking at the number of units purchased under this BPA call, and factoring in any volume discounts. Without the exact unit price or quantity, a direct comparison is difficult, but the total value suggests a substantial procurement.

What are the specific conditions and potential impact of the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' clause on the final cost of this contract?

The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FPEPA) clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on specified economic factors, typically related to changes in the cost of labor or materials. For toner cartridges, this could be tied to fluctuations in the price of raw materials like plastic resins, toner powder components, or shipping costs. The specific 'economic index' or 'formula' used for adjustment would be detailed in the contract's terms and conditions. This clause provides some protection to the contractor against unforeseen cost increases, ensuring supply continuity. However, it introduces uncertainty for the government regarding the final expenditure. The potential impact on the final cost depends entirely on the magnitude and direction of the economic factors during the contract period. If costs rise significantly, the government could pay substantially more than the initial estimated value.

Given the short performance period (6 days) for this BPA call, what might be the underlying reason, and does it indicate a potential risk or efficiency?

A 6-day performance period for a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call valued at $1.09 million is exceptionally short and suggests an urgent or immediate need for the toner cartridges. Possible reasons include an unexpected surge in demand, a critical stockout at a major federal facility, or a requirement to fulfill a specific, time-sensitive project. This short timeframe could indicate efficiency if the procurement process was streamlined to meet an emergency. However, it also raises concerns about whether adequate time was allowed for thorough evaluation of all bids, potential quality checks, or logistical planning, which could introduce risks of suboptimal pricing or delivery issues. It might also suggest that this BPA call is part of a larger, ongoing requirement where the 6-day window represents a specific delivery tranche.

What is the track record of SUPPLIES NOW INC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for office supplies or toner cartridges?

Information regarding the track record of SUPPLIES NOW INC in fulfilling federal contracts is limited based solely on the provided data. The data indicates this is a contract awarded to them, but it does not offer historical performance metrics, past contract values, or client feedback. To assess their track record, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Without this additional information, it is difficult to gauge their experience and reliability in delivering similar products or services to the government.

How does the 'Federal Acquisition Service' (FAS) within GSA typically manage procurements like this BPA call, and what are the expected benefits?

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) within the General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for providing a wide range of products and services to federal agencies, including office supplies like toner cartridges. FAS often utilizes established GSA Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) to facilitate efficient and cost-effective procurement. For toner, FAS might have a specific schedule or a master BPA in place that allows agencies to place orders (BPA calls) against it. The expected benefits include leveraging GSA's negotiating power for better pricing, reducing administrative burden for individual agencies, ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations, and providing access to a vetted pool of vendors. This particular BPA call likely falls under such a framework, aiming to streamline the acquisition process for a common government need.

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: 3900 WOODLAKE BLVD, GREENACRES, FL, 33463

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,863

Exercised Options: $10,863

Current Obligation: $10,863

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline