GSA awards $5,754 workstation subassembly contract to Neutral Posture, Inc. with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,755 ($5.8K)

Contractor: Neutral Posture, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-05-22

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $128/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WORKSTATION SUB-ASSCK LEGS,CHERRY TOP, UPHOLSTEREDSEAT, MESH BACK,BLACKFABRIC

Place of Performance

Location: BRYAN, BRAZOS County, TEXAS, 77803

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,754.87 to NEUTRAL POSTURE, INC for work described as: WORKSTATION SUB-ASSCK LEGS,CHERRY TOP, UPHOLSTEREDSEAT, MESH BACK,BLACKFABRIC Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for specialized office furniture components. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited vendor options. 3. The short duration suggests a specific, immediate need for these components. 4. This contract falls within the broader category of office furniture manufacturing. 5. Performance will be monitored by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 6. The contract's value is modest, indicating it's likely for a specific project or quantity.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific workstation subassembly is challenging without detailed specifications and market comparisons. However, the price of $5,754.87 for a quantity of 0 (implied by no quantity listed) suggests a per-unit cost that would need careful scrutiny against similar custom or specialized furniture components. Given the 'NOT COMPETED' status, it's difficult to assess if this represents a competitive price or if taxpayers are receiving optimal value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Neutral Posture, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. Without competition, there is no direct price comparison to ensure the government is obtaining the best possible price or terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the price reductions typically driven by competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Federal employees or contractors requiring specific workstation configurations will benefit from these subassemblies. The services delivered involve the manufacturing and supply of specialized office furniture components. The geographic impact is primarily in Texas, where the contractor is located, and potentially at the delivery location within Texas. This contract supports manufacturing jobs within the office furniture sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Sole-source awards can indicate a lack of market research or a failure to identify alternative suppliers.
The absence of a specified quantity makes it difficult to assess the overall value and potential for future needs.

Positive Signals

The contract is with a known entity, Neutral Posture, Inc.
The contract has a defined delivery period, ensuring timely fulfillment.
The award is managed by the General Services Administration, a central procurement agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing sector, classified under NAICS code 337214. This sector includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing office furniture, including metal, plastics, and wood (excluding solid wood furniture). The market for office furniture is influenced by trends in workplace design, remote work policies, and government procurement cycles. The value of this specific contract is relatively small within the broader context of federal office furniture spending.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. Therefore, it does not appear to directly benefit small businesses through set-aside provisions. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's firm fixed-price nature, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, with details on the justification for not competing not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule 71 II Part A - Furniture
Federal Office Furniture Procurement
Workstation and Office Furnishings

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Lack of competitive bidding may lead to inflated prices.
Absence of quantity information hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,754.87 to NEUTRAL POSTURE, INC. WORKSTATION SUB-ASSCK LEGS,CHERRY TOP, UPHOLSTEREDSEAT, MESH BACK,BLACKFABRIC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEUTRAL POSTURE, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,754.87.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-05-22.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on a 'NOT COMPETED' basis, which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification for this approach is not detailed in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where competition is not feasible. Without further information from the awarding agency (General Services Administration), the precise reason remains unknown. This lack of competition raises questions about whether alternative vendors were considered or if market research was adequately performed to identify potential competitors.

How does the price of $5,754.87 compare to similar workstation subassemblies in the market?

Directly comparing the price of $5,754.87 for this specific workstation subassembly is difficult without knowing the exact quantity, detailed specifications, and customization involved. The data does not provide a unit quantity, making it impossible to calculate a per-unit cost. However, the total value suggests it could be for a small batch of highly specialized components or a single, complex workstation setup. To benchmark this price effectively, one would need to compare it against quotes from other office furniture manufacturers for similar custom-designed or specialized subassemblies, considering factors like materials, ergonomics, and manufacturing complexity. The absence of competition makes it harder to ascertain if this price represents fair market value.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract without competition?

Awarding a contract without competition, as in this sole-source case, carries several risks. The primary risk is paying a higher price than would be achieved through a competitive process, as the vendor faces no pressure to offer the lowest possible cost. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and quality, as the vendor may not feel compelled to offer their best solutions. Furthermore, it can limit the government's access to a broader range of suppliers and potentially hinder the development of a robust market for specific goods or services. For taxpayers, this translates to a less efficient use of public funds and potentially missed opportunities for better value.

What is the expected performance period and delivery timeline for this contract?

The contract has a specified start date of 2026-04-07 and an end date of 2026-05-22. This indicates a relatively short performance and delivery period of approximately 45 days. This short duration suggests that the contract is likely for a specific, immediate need, such as outfitting a particular office space, fulfilling a rush order, or providing components for a time-sensitive project. The defined timeline allows for clear expectations regarding when the workstation subassemblies should be delivered and available for use.

What is the role of the General Services Administration (GSA) in this contract?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is acting as the awarding agency for this contract, specifically through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). GSA's FAS manages a wide range of government-wide procurement solutions, including schedules and other contracting vehicles that agencies can use to purchase goods and services. In this instance, GSA is responsible for the procurement process, including the award to Neutral Posture, Inc. They oversee the contract's administration and ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Their involvement aims to streamline procurement and leverage government-wide buying power, although in this sole-source case, the benefits of scale are less apparent.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3904 N TEXAS AVE, BRYAN, TX, 77803

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,755

Exercised Options: $5,755

Current Obligation: $5,755

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA22D08QP

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline