GSA Awards $16,866 for FIST Kits from JL Darling, LLC, with Fixed Price Adjustment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,867 ($16.9K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-KIT

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16,866.52 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-KIT Key points: 1. Spending on stationery kits is relatively low, suggesting limited impact on overall federal budgets. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a healthy market for these supplies. 3. The contract uses a fixed-price with economic price adjustment, which can mitigate inflation risk. 4. The sector is Stationery Product Manufacturing, a niche within broader office supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The price of $16,866.52 for FIST kits appears reasonable given the components. Benchmarking against similar office supply contracts suggests this is within expected ranges for bulk procurement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call. This method typically drives competitive pricing and ensures fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the relatively small contract value and competitive award process.

Public Impact

Federal employees will receive essential stationery supplies for field operations. The procurement supports a specific manufacturing sector, contributing to economic activity. Availability of these kits ensures operational readiness for certain government functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to cost increases if material prices rise significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Contract value is relatively small.
Clear product definition (FIST KIT).

Sector Analysis

The stationery product manufacturing sector is characterized by a wide range of suppliers. Spending benchmarks for office supplies vary greatly, but this specific kit procurement is a small component.

Small Business Impact

While the awardee is JL Darling, LLC, the contract was awarded under full and open competition. It is unclear if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if JL Darling, LLC itself qualifies as a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) managed this procurement through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight is standard for GSA contracts, ensuring compliance with acquisition regulations.

Related Government Programs

Stationery Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increases due to EPA clause.
Lack of clarity on small business participation.
Dependence on specific vendor for specialized kits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16,866.52 to JL DARLING, LLC. FIST KIT - TAN CASE, NOTEBOOKS, PRINTER PAPER, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N FIST4T-KIT

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 $16,866.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the specific utility and necessity of the FIST KIT for federal operations?

The FIST KIT (Field Information Support Tool Kit) likely contains essential items like notebooks, paper, and writing instruments for personnel operating in the field or requiring portable documentation tools. Its necessity stems from enabling data collection, note-taking, and basic administrative tasks in environments where electronic devices may be impractical or unavailable, ensuring operational continuity and record-keeping.

What are the potential risks associated with the economic price adjustment clause in this contract?

The primary risk of the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause is that it allows for price increases based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as raw material costs for paper and plastics. If these costs rise significantly, the total contract cost could exceed the initial $16,866.52 estimate, potentially leading to higher-than-anticipated spending for the government. This uncertainty makes precise budget forecasting more challenging.

How effective is the full and open competition method in ensuring value for this specific type of stationery procurement?

The full and open competition method is generally effective in ensuring value for standard, readily available items like stationery. It allows multiple vendors to bid, fostering price competition and driving down costs. For a relatively straightforward procurement like the FIST KIT, this approach is likely to yield competitive pricing and ensure the government receives good value for its investment compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

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: $16,867

Exercised Options: $16,867

Current Obligation: $16,867

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline