GSA awards $3,645 for lateral file cabinets, highlighting potential for better pricing through competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,645 ($3.6K)

Contractor: Metro Office Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 35 days

Daily Burn Rate: $104/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINETAWER LATERAL FILE WITH LOCK, 4H X42''W X 19''D, GRAY.RAY.RAY.

Place of Performance

Location: BELCAMP, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21017

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,645.16 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: FILING CABINETAWER LATERAL FILE WITH LOCK, 4H X42''W X 19''D, GRAY.RAY.RAY. Key points: 1. Spending on office furniture is a recurring need for federal agencies. 2. Competition for office furniture can vary significantly by product type and volume. 3. Risk of overpayment exists if competition is not robust or pricing is not benchmarked. 4. The IT and administrative support sectors represent significant spending areas for office furniture.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $3,645 for a single lateral file cabinet appears high compared to commercial market prices for similar items. Benchmarking against other federal contracts or commercial catalogs is recommended to assess value.

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. While competition was present, the specific pricing mechanism and the number of bids received are crucial for determining price discovery effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for this purchase. Ensuring competitive pricing is essential to maximize the value of taxpayer dollars spent on office furniture.

Public Impact

Federal agencies require office furniture to maintain operational workspaces. The General Services Administration (GSA) facilitates procurement of common goods like office furniture. This purchase contributes to the broader federal spending on office supplies and equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for overpricing due to lack of detailed cost breakdown.
Limited visibility into the specific competitive bids received.
Economic price adjustment clause could lead to increased costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Procurement facilitated by GSA, leveraging established contract vehicles.

Sector Analysis

Office furniture manufacturing is a mature sector. Federal spending benchmarks for office furniture can be established through GSA schedules and other competitive contracts. Prices can vary based on features, materials, and volume.

Small Business Impact

Information on small business participation is not provided in the data. While the contract was full and open, it's important to track if small businesses had opportunities to bid and win.

Oversight & Accountability

GSA's Federal Acquisition Service oversees this type of procurement. Oversight typically involves ensuring compliance with acquisition regulations and promoting competition.

Related Government Programs

Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost compared to commercial equivalents.
Lack of detailed bid data to confirm competitive pressure.
Potential for cost escalation due to EPA clause.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,645.16 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC. FILING CABINETAWER LATERAL FILE WITH LOCK, 4H X42''W X 19''D, GRAY.RAY.RAY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,645.16.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the benchmarked price for a 4-drawer, 42" wide lateral file cabinet with a lock in the federal market?

Benchmarking requires access to GSA Advantage, other agency solicitations, and contract award databases. Without this data, a precise benchmark is unavailable. However, commercial prices for similar cabinets typically range from $200-$600, depending on brand, material, and features. The awarded price of $3,645 for a single unit suggests a potential discrepancy requiring further investigation.

What was the level of competition for this BPA Call, and how did it influence the final price?

The data indicates 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' and an 'AWARD TYPE' of 'BPA CALL'. While this suggests multiple potential bidders, the exact number of bids received and the pricing strategies employed by each are not detailed. A robust competition with multiple responsive bids typically drives prices down, but without specific bid data, the price discovery impact remains unclear.

How does the fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) contract type affect long-term value and taxpayer risk?

A fixed-price contract with EPA offers some price stability initially but exposes taxpayers to potential cost increases if economic factors (like inflation or material costs) rise significantly. This can be a risk if the EPA formula allows for substantial price hikes without corresponding increases in value or performance. Monitoring the EPA adjustments is crucial for managing taxpayer exposure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing › Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

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: 4692 MILLENNIUM DR, BELCAMP, MD, 21017

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,645

Exercised Options: $3,645

Current Obligation: $3,645

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA23A08NC

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline