GSA awards $9,955 contract for HP toner cartridges, highlighting potential for cost savings through competitive bidding

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,956 ($10.0K)

Contractor: Supplies NOW Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: CARTRIDGE, TONER: ITEM NAME CARTRIDGE, TONER I.A.W. HP P/N CF362A CARTRIDGE TYPE NEW (OEM GENUINE) SPECIAL FEATURE STANDARD YIELD CARTRIDGE FOR USE WITH HP COLOR LASERJET M552, M553, MFP M577, AND ANY OTHER PRINTER USING HP P/N CF362A COLOR YELLOW YI

Place of Performance

Location: GREENACRES, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33463

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,955.5 to SUPPLIES NOW INC for work described as: CARTRIDGE, TONER: ITEM NAME CARTRIDGE, TONER I.A.W. HP P/N CF362A CARTRIDGE TYPE NEW (OEM GENUINE) SPECIAL FEATURE STANDARD YIELD CARTRIDGE FOR USE WITH HP COLOR LASERJET M552, M553, MFP M577, AND ANY OTHER PRINTER USING HP P/N CF362A COLOR YELLOW YI Key points: 1. The contract leverages a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated pricing structure. 2. Competition dynamics appear favorable, with 'Full and Open Competition' suggesting multiple vendors could bid. 3. Risk indicators are low, given the standard nature of the product and the established GSA procurement vehicle. 4. Performance context is established through the use of a BPA Call, which streamlines ordering for agencies. 5. Sector positioning is within office supplies, a mature market with readily available alternatives. 6. The contract duration is short (6 days), suggesting a tactical purchase rather than a long-term strategic commitment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The per-unit cost for this toner cartridge is not explicitly detailed in the provided data, making a direct price comparison challenging. However, the use of a GSA FSS BPA Call suggests that pricing has undergone some level of vetting. To fully assess value, a benchmark against similar GSA Schedule contracts for the same or equivalent HP toner cartridges would be necessary. The fixed price with economic price adjustment (EPA) offers some protection against market fluctuations but requires monitoring.

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 a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this level of competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The use of a GSA BPA Call implies that a broader competition may have occurred at the FSS level, with this call representing a specific order against that schedule.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing available in the market for these essential office supplies.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring HP Color LaserJet toner cartridges will benefit from this contract, ensuring operational continuity. The services delivered are the provision of standard yield, yellow HP toner cartridges (P/N CF362A). The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as GSA schedules are accessible to federal agencies across the US. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a standard supply procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to economic price adjustment clause if market conditions change significantly.
Dependence on a specific OEM part (HP P/N CF362A) could limit future cost-saving opportunities if alternative compatible cartridges were not considered.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive GSA Schedule BPA Call, indicating pre-vetted pricing and streamlined acquisition.
Use of a standard, widely available office supply item reduces complexity and potential for performance issues.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment and allows for re-evaluation of needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the office supplies sector, specifically focusing on printer consumables. The market for printer toner is mature and highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Spending benchmarks for toner can vary widely based on brand, model, yield, and volume. GSA Schedules are a primary channel for federal agencies to procure such supplies, often leveraging pre-negotiated pricing to achieve cost efficiencies compared to open market purchases.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. However, given the nature of toner cartridge sales, it is possible that small businesses could be involved as resellers or distributors, even if the primary award was not set aside. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities or direct awards to small businesses within the broader GSA Schedule framework.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The use of a GSA Schedule and BPA Call provides a level of oversight through established procurement regulations and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of GSA Schedule contracts and task order awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the procurement process.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Office Supplies Procurement
Printer Consumables Contracts
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases due to EPA clause
Limited data on contractor past performance
Lack of specific per-unit cost for benchmarking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,955.5 to SUPPLIES NOW INC. CARTRIDGE, TONER: ITEM NAME CARTRIDGE, TONER I.A.W. HP P/N CF362A CARTRIDGE TYPE NEW (OEM GENUINE) SPECIAL FEATURE STANDARD YIELD CARTRIDGE FOR USE WITH HP COLOR LASERJET M552, M553, MFP M577, AND ANY OTHER PRINTER USING HP P/N CF362A COLOR YELLOW YI

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 $9,955.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the historical spending pattern for HP toner cartridges under GSA Schedules?

Historical spending on HP toner cartridges through GSA Schedules is substantial, reflecting the widespread use of HP printers across federal agencies. While specific figures for the CF362A model are not readily available without deeper data mining, the overall category of printer supplies consistently represents a significant portion of GSA's office supply procurements. Agencies often rely on these schedules for predictable pricing and rapid fulfillment. Analyzing past awards for similar toner types (e.g., high-yield, color) and models can reveal trends in pricing, competition levels, and average contract values, providing a benchmark against which the current award can be assessed for value.

How does the pricing of this toner cartridge compare to market rates for similar OEM products?

Directly comparing the price of this specific HP toner cartridge (P/N CF362A) to general market rates is challenging without knowing the exact negotiated price per unit within the $9,955 total award. However, GSA Schedule pricing is generally expected to be competitive, reflecting volume discounts and pre-negotiated terms. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify the quantity of cartridges purchased under this BPA Call and then benchmark the per-unit price against major commercial retailers and other government contract vehicles. Factors like shipping costs and delivery timelines also influence the overall value proposition beyond the sticker price.

What are the potential risks associated with using a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (EPA) for toner?

The primary risk associated with a fixed-price contract with EPA for toner is potential price escalation. While the fixed price provides a baseline, the EPA clause allows for adjustments based on specified economic factors (e.g., inflation indices, raw material costs). If these factors increase significantly, the government could end up paying more than initially anticipated. For commodity items like toner, where market prices can fluctuate, this clause offers flexibility to the contractor but requires diligent monitoring by the government to ensure adjustments are justified and do not lead to excessive costs over the contract period. The short duration of this specific BPA Call likely mitigates this risk significantly.

What is the typical performance record of 'SUPPLIES NOW INC' as a federal contractor?

Information regarding the specific performance record of 'SUPPLIES NOW INC' as a federal contractor is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues or disputes. Understanding their history with GSA or other agencies, particularly for similar office supply items, would provide insight into their reliability, delivery timeliness, and overall customer satisfaction, which are crucial indicators of future performance.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition' for this BPA Call influence price discovery compared to a sole-source award?

Full and Open Competition significantly enhances price discovery compared to a sole-source award. By allowing all responsible vendors to bid, the government creates a competitive environment where multiple companies vie to offer the best price and terms. This process naturally drives prices down as vendors seek to win the contract. In contrast, a sole-source award lacks this competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices as the contractor has limited incentive to offer the lowest possible cost. The 'Full and Open' designation here suggests that GSA sought the most advantageous pricing through a robust bidding process.

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: $9,956

Exercised Options: $9,956

Current Obligation: $9,956

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline