GSA awards $5,825 contract for aluminum foil, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,826 ($5.8K)

Contractor: Western Plastics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $583/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: ALUMINUM FOIL 0.0010'' T, 18'' W, 500' L

Place of Performance

Location: CALHOUN, GORDON County, GEORGIA, 30701

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,825.52 to WESTERN PLASTICS, INC. for work described as: ALUMINUM FOIL 0.0010'' T, 18'' W, 500' L Key points: 1. The contract's fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause introduces potential cost volatility. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding environment. 3. The contract duration is short (10 days), indicating a need for immediate supply. 4. The awarded amount is relatively small, suggesting a specific, limited requirement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 331315 points to domestic manufacturing capabilities. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The awarded price of $5,825.52 for 500 linear feet of aluminum foil appears reasonable given the specifications. However, the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) clause introduces uncertainty. Without knowing the specific economic indicators tied to the adjustment, it's difficult to benchmark the true value. Compared to similar bulk material purchases, the unit price might be competitive, but the EPA clause warrants close monitoring for potential cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of product. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing inherent in a full and open competition, which aims to drive down costs and ensure efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

This contract likely supports federal agencies requiring aluminum foil for packaging, laboratory use, or other operational needs. The services delivered are the provision of specific aluminum foil material. The geographic impact is likely limited to the delivery location specified in the order, potentially within Georgia (ST: GA). Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the manufacturing and logistics personnel at the winning contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The economic price adjustment clause introduces uncertainty and potential for increased costs beyond the initial award.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits a full assessment of competitive intensity.
The short duration of the contract may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The contractor, WESTERN PLASTICS, INC., is likely experienced in supplying such materials.
The contract is a delivery order, which can offer flexibility for agencies needing specific quantities.

Sector Analysis

The aluminum foil manufacturing sector is part of the broader non-ferrous metal manufacturing industry. This contract falls under the 'Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing' (NAICS 331315) subsector. The market for industrial-grade aluminum foil is driven by demand from various sectors, including packaging, construction, and industrial applications. Government procurement represents a small but consistent segment of this market. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for specialized foil products would require access to more detailed historical data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (SB: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Given the small dollar value and the nature of the product, it's unlikely to have a significant impact on the broader small business ecosystem unless the prime contractor has a robust small business subcontracting program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability is managed through the contract terms and conditions, including delivery schedules and material specifications. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Federal Supply Schedules
Procurements for Industrial Supplies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Limited visibility into the number of bidders and competitive intensity.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement or limited scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,825.52 to WESTERN PLASTICS, INC.. ALUMINUM FOIL 0.0010'' T, 18'' W, 500' L

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WESTERN PLASTICS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,825.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the typical track record of WESTERN PLASTICS, INC. in fulfilling government contracts?

Information regarding WESTERN PLASTICS, INC.'s specific track record with government contracts is not provided in the data. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their past performance ratings, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their success rate in winning and completing similar federal awards. Agencies often use past performance evaluations as a key factor in source selection. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience beyond this single award.

How does the unit price of this aluminum foil compare to market rates for similar industrial-grade products?

The provided data does not include a specific unit price (e.g., price per linear foot or per square foot) that can be directly compared to market rates. The total award is $5,825.52 for 500 linear feet. To establish a unit price, we would need to know the width (18 inches) and thickness (0.0010 inches) to calculate the total surface area or volume. Even then, comparing to market rates requires access to current commercial pricing for industrial-grade aluminum foil with identical specifications, which is not available in this dataset. The 'economic price adjustment' clause further complicates a direct value comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) contract type for this procurement?

The primary risk associated with the FPEPA contract type for this aluminum foil procurement is cost escalation. While the base price is fixed, the economic price adjustment clause allows the contractor to increase the price based on fluctuations in specified economic indicators (e.g., raw material costs, labor, transportation). This introduces budget uncertainty for the government, as the final cost could exceed the initially awarded amount. For taxpayers, this means potential overspending if market conditions drive up costs significantly. The government's risk is mitigated if the EPA clause is narrowly defined and tied to relevant, verifiable cost drivers.

Given the short duration (10 days) and delivery order nature, what does this suggest about the program's effectiveness or planning?

The short 10-day duration and the fact that this is a delivery order suggest that this procurement is likely addressing an immediate, short-term need rather than a long-term strategic requirement. It could indicate a need for urgent replenishment of stock, a response to an unforeseen demand, or a gap-filling measure. From a planning perspective, a series of such short-duration orders might suggest a lack of robust long-term forecasting or contract consolidation. However, it could also be an efficient way to procure small quantities as needed under an existing contract vehicle, which can be effective if managed properly.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 331315 (Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing) in the context of this contract?

The NAICS code 331315 signifies that the product being procured, aluminum foil, is manufactured by companies operating within the Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing industry. This code helps classify the economic activity of the contractor and provides context for the type of industrial process involved. For federal spending analysis, it allows for categorization and comparison with other procurements within the same manufacturing subsector. It indicates that the government is sourcing this material from domestic manufacturers specializing in aluminum processing, potentially supporting U.S. industrial capacity.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing › Aluminum Sheet, Plate, and Foil Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONTAINERS/PACKAGING/PACKING SUPPL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QSMD20R0001

Offers Received: 999

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Western Plastics Inc.

Address: 2399 HWY 41 S SW, CALHOUN, GA, 30701

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,826

Exercised Options: $5,826

Current Obligation: $5,826

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA19D001G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline