GSA awards $8,829 contract for 500-unit heavy-duty molded pulp plates, serving VA facilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,829 ($8.8K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2026-04-13

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PLATE,PAPEROMPARTMENT, 10-1/4''DIAMETER): WHITE, MOLDED PULP, HEAVY DUTY, PACKAGEDQUANTITY - 500/BOX,

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,829 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: PLATE,PAPEROMPARTMENT, 10-1/4''DIAMETER): WHITE, MOLDED PULP, HEAVY DUTY, PACKAGEDQUANTITY - 500/BOX, Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a small-scale or specialized need. 2. Limited competition data prevents a robust value-for-money assessment. 3. Short contract duration (7 days) indicates an immediate or short-term requirement. 4. The supplier, National Industries for the Blind, has a mission-oriented focus. 5. Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers category is broad. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger agreement or schedule.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8,829 for 500 units of heavy-duty molded pulp plates is difficult to benchmark without more context on the specific type and quality of plates. Given the supplier is National Industries for the Blind, pricing may reflect social mission objectives rather than purely market-driven rates. The per-unit cost of approximately $17.66 per box of 500 is not inherently high or low without comparison to similar specialized or mission-driven procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. The specific justification for this limited competition is not provided in the data. Without a competitive bidding process, it is challenging to ascertain if the government received the best possible pricing or if alternative solutions were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs if not carefully managed and justified.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities will receive the durable, heavy-duty molded pulp plates. The plates are intended for use in institutional settings, likely for food service. The contract supports the mission of the National Industries for the Blind by providing employment opportunities. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the VA facilities are located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about optimal price discovery.
Limited contract duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
The broad nature of the Product Service Code (PSC) makes it difficult to assess specific market dynamics.

Positive Signals

Supports a mission-driven organization (National Industries for the Blind).
Provides essential supplies to critical government facilities (VA).
The product is described as 'heavy duty,' suggesting durability and suitability for intended use.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of wholesale trade for equipment and supplies. The market for disposable tableware, including molded pulp, is diverse, ranging from consumer goods to specialized industrial and institutional supplies. Contracts for such items are common across various government agencies, with significant spending occurring through GSA schedules and direct procurements. The value of this specific contract is relatively small, suggesting it is either a niche requirement or a small portion of a larger supply chain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and does not appear to be a small business set-aside (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses related to this specific award. The primary contractor, National Industries for the Blind, is an organization that employs individuals with blindness, and its structure may involve internal employment practices rather than typical subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service which managed the award. As a delivery order, it is likely governed by the terms of a larger contract or schedule. Transparency is moderate, as the award details are publicly available, but the justification for sole-source procurement is not detailed. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
VA Medical Equipment and Supplies
Institutional Food Service Supplies
Wholesale Trade Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency on competition.
Limited data to assess value for money.
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,829 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. PLATE,PAPEROMPARTMENT, 10-1/4''DIAMETER): WHITE, MOLDED PULP, HEAVY DUTY, PACKAGEDQUANTITY - 500/BOX,

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,829.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2026-04-13.

What is the specific justification for the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' award status?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, which typically signifies a sole-source procurement. Common justifications for sole-source awards include unique capabilities of a single contractor, urgent and compelling needs where competition is not feasible, or specific statutory authority. Without further documentation from the GSA or the contracting officer, the precise reason for this limited competition remains unknown. This lack of transparency limits the ability to assess whether the government fully explored competitive options and secured the best value for taxpayers.

How does the unit price compare to similar heavy-duty molded pulp plates in the commercial market?

The contract value of $8,829 for 500 units (boxes) results in a per-box cost of approximately $17.66. This translates to roughly $0.035 per plate. Benchmarking this against the commercial market for 'heavy-duty' molded pulp plates is challenging without precise specifications (e.g., thickness, material composition, specific certifications). However, standard disposable plates can range from $0.02 to $0.10+ per plate depending on quality and quantity. Given the supplier is the National Industries for the Blind, pricing may incorporate social program costs, making direct commercial comparison less straightforward. Further investigation into GSA Advantage or other government contracts for similar items would be needed for a more robust comparison.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind in fulfilling government contracts?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a major nonprofit agency that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, providing employment for people who are blind. NIB and its associated agencies have a long history of fulfilling government contracts, often in areas related to supplies and services. Their participation in government procurement is generally viewed positively due to their social mission. While specific performance metrics for this exact contract are not available, NIB's overall track record with government agencies is typically strong, focusing on reliable delivery and quality products that meet federal specifications, often leveraging their unique employment model.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration, sole-source contract for essential supplies?

A short-duration, sole-source contract for essential supplies like plates carries several potential risks. Firstly, the lack of competition means the government may not be achieving the lowest possible price, potentially leading to increased costs for taxpayers. Secondly, reliance on a single source for a short period, while seemingly low-risk due to duration, can still pose supply chain vulnerabilities if the contractor faces unexpected disruptions. Thirdly, the absence of competitive pressure might reduce the incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency or explore innovative, cost-saving alternatives. Finally, the justification for sole-sourcing needs careful scrutiny to ensure it aligns with procurement regulations and serves the best interest of the government.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for institutional tableware within the VA or GSA?

This contract, valued at $8,829 for a 7-day delivery period, represents a very small fraction of overall government spending on institutional tableware. The VA, in particular, procures vast quantities of supplies for its healthcare facilities nationwide. Spending on disposable or reusable tableware is a recurring necessity. Larger contracts are typically awarded through GSA Schedules (like Schedule 71 II-D for Furniture and Furnishings, which can include related items) or through specific VA supply contracts. This particular award suggests a localized, immediate need or a trial purchase rather than a large-scale, long-term procurement strategy for tableware.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,829

Exercised Options: $8,829

Current Obligation: $8,829

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline