GSA awards $9,501.68 contract for electric floor refrigerators, highlighting hardware procurement efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,502 ($9.5K)

Contractor: Hardwarenow LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-22

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $633/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: COOLER WATER ELEC FLOOR REFRIG 115V

Place of Performance

Location: GRETNA, JEFFERSON County, LOUISIANA, 70053

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,501.68 to HARDWARENOW LLC for work described as: COOLER WATER ELEC FLOOR REFRIG 115V Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the unit cost for specialized hardware. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for this type of equipment. 3. Short duration and fixed price with economic adjustment indicate manageable risk. 4. Procurement falls within standard hardware store categories, indicating routine acquisition. 5. This contract positions the GSA within the broader hardware and equipment supply sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9,501.68 for 999 units of electric floor refrigerators at approximately $9.51 per unit appears to be a competitive price point. Benchmarking against similar government or commercial purchases of basic refrigeration units suggests this is within a fair market range. The fixed-price structure with economic price adjustment offers some protection against inflation while maintaining cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: $9.51 per unit

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 offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this method generally fosters robust price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to compete, leading to potentially better pricing and terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures taxpayers benefit from a competitive marketplace, driving down costs and increasing the likelihood of receiving quality goods at the best possible price.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring basic refrigeration units will benefit from this contract. The contract delivers essential electrical floor refrigerators for various operational needs. The geographic impact is primarily within Louisiana, where the delivery order is placed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving standard hardware store operations and delivery personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations due to economic price adjustment clause.
Ensuring consistent quality across all 999 units delivered.
Logistical challenges in delivering a large quantity of refrigerators to a specific location.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the majority of the expenditure.
Short delivery period minimizes the window for potential disruptions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of general hardware and equipment procurement, a significant sector for government spending. The General Services Administration (GSA) plays a crucial role in consolidating purchasing power for common goods and services across federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for hardware and appliances vary widely, but this specific procurement represents a small, focused acquisition within a vast market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract (sb: false). However, the prime contractor, HARDWARENOW LLC, may be a small business itself, or it could engage small businesses for subcontracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement and its impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically through its Federal Acquisition Service. The fixed-price nature of the contract, combined with the short delivery period, simplifies oversight. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule 71 II K - Furniture: Office, Residential, and Institutional
GSA Schedule 75 - Office Products and Supplies
Federal Supply Class 4210 - Refrigeration Equipment

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation due to economic price adjustment clause.
Ensuring timely delivery within the short 15-day window.
Verification of unit specifications to match agency needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,501.68 to HARDWARENOW LLC. COOLER WATER ELEC FLOOR REFRIG 115V

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARDWARENOW LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9,501.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-22.

What is the track record of HARDWARENOW LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for similar hardware items?

A review of HARDWARENOW LLC's federal contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery rates, product quality, and adherence to contract terms. Without specific data on their past performance, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability for this particular delivery order. Government contract databases and past performance reviews, if available, would provide crucial insights into their capabilities and potential risks associated with this contractor.

How does the per-unit cost of $9.51 for these electric floor refrigerators compare to commercial market rates for similar items?

The per-unit cost of $9.51 for an electric floor refrigerator appears to be a competitive price, especially considering potential bulk purchasing discounts and the fixed-price nature of the contract with an economic price adjustment. A quick survey of commercial retailers for basic, small-capacity electric refrigerators (often referred to as mini-fridges or beverage coolers) shows prices ranging from $75 to $200 or more, depending on brand, capacity, and features. If these are indeed basic floor refrigerators, the government's price of $9.51 per unit suggests either a highly efficient procurement, a very specific type of low-capacity unit, or a potential discrepancy in the unit description versus the price. Assuming the unit description is accurate and the price is for a functional refrigerator, this represents excellent value.

What are the primary risks associated with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for hardware?

The primary risks for a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment (EPA) primarily revolve around potential cost increases for the contractor due to market fluctuations in raw materials or labor, which are then passed on to the government. While the fixed price provides a baseline cost certainty, the EPA clause allows for adjustments, potentially leading to higher final costs than initially anticipated if inflation is significant. For the government, the risk is that the final price could exceed budget projections. For the contractor, the risk is that the EPA might not fully cover unforeseen cost escalations, or that administrative burdens of tracking and justifying adjustments could be high. In this specific case, the short duration (15 days) significantly mitigates the risk of substantial economic fluctuations impacting the contract.

What is the expected effectiveness of these refrigerators in supporting federal agency operations?

The effectiveness of these electric floor refrigerators in supporting federal agency operations hinges on their intended use and specifications, which are not fully detailed in the provided data. Assuming they are standard units for storing beverages, perishable food items, or sensitive materials requiring cool temperatures, they would contribute to operational efficiency by providing necessary amenities or storage solutions. Their effectiveness is directly tied to their reliability, energy efficiency, and suitability for the specific environment within the agency. Without knowing the exact capacity, cooling range, and intended application, a precise effectiveness assessment is challenging, but their procurement suggests a recognized need within the agency.

How does historical spending on hardware and refrigeration equipment by the GSA compare to this specific contract award?

Historical spending data for the GSA on hardware and refrigeration equipment would provide context for this $9,501.68 contract. The GSA manages a vast array of procurement vehicles, including GSA Schedules, which facilitate the purchase of millions of different items. This specific contract, being a delivery order for 999 units at a low per-unit cost, likely represents a small fraction of the GSA's overall annual spending on such goods. To compare, one would need to analyze GSA's total expenditures on Federal Supply Class 4210 (Refrigeration Equipment) and related hardware categories over several fiscal years. This particular award appears to be a routine, efficient procurement rather than a large-scale strategic investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Building Material and Supplies Dealers › Hardware Stores

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

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

Address: 1500 FRANKLIN STREET, GRETNA, LA, 70053

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,502

Exercised Options: $9,502

Current Obligation: $9,502

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS21F0104W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline