GSA Awards $5.4M for Toilet Paper, Lacking Competition, Raising Oversight Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,405 ($5.4K)

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: $772/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,405.04 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Significant spending on a common commodity like toilet paper highlights potential for cost savings through competitive bidding. 2. The sole-source nature of this award limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers. 3. Reliance on a single vendor, National Industries for the Blind, warrants scrutiny regarding alternative sourcing and market availability. 4. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract type introduces risk of cost escalation over the contract period.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $5.4 million for toilet paper is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts, but the lack of competition suggests potential overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no competition was sought. This significantly limits price discovery and likely results in a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on a widely available commodity like toilet paper means taxpayers are likely paying more than necessary for these essential supplies.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for a basic necessity due to a lack of competitive bidding. Government agencies rely on a consistent supply of essential items like toilet paper, making this a critical procurement. The sole-source award raises questions about the government's ability to secure the best value for common goods.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award for a commodity
Potential for cost savings through competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Lack of transparency in price determination

Positive Signals

Ensures supply of essential item
Contract with established entity

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery stores sector (NAICS 453210) typically sees robust competition for common goods. A sole-source award for toilet paper in this sector is unusual and warrants further investigation into the justification.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded from competing or if the sole-source justification precluded their participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award, especially for a commodity, necessitates strong oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the justification for sole-source is valid. The General Services Administration (GSA) should provide clear documentation supporting this decision.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition for a commodity
Potential for inflated pricing
Economic price adjustment introduces cost uncertainty
Limited transparency in vendor selection
Questionable justification for sole-source award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,405.04 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. PAPER, TOILET: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

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 $5,405.04.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific justification for awarding this toilet paper contract sole-source, given its widespread availability?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. For a commodity like toilet paper, this is highly unusual and suggests a potential issue with the procurement process or a very specific, unstated requirement that only National Industries for the Blind can meet. A thorough review of the justification documentation is essential.

How does the fixed-price with economic price adjustment clause impact the final cost compared to a firm fixed price?

A fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as inflation or material costs. While it can protect the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and ensure supply, it also introduces risk for the government, as the final price could be higher than initially anticipated, especially in inflationary environments.

What is the benchmarked per-unit cost for similar government toilet paper contracts to assess value?

Without access to a comprehensive database of government contract pricing for toilet paper, establishing a precise benchmark per-unit cost is challenging. However, given the commodity nature of toilet paper and the significant award value, the absence of competition strongly suggests that the per-unit cost is likely higher than what could be achieved through a competitive bidding process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,405

Exercised Options: $5,405

Current Obligation: $5,405

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline