GSA Awards $9.8M Contract for Compressed Single-Ply Toilet Tissue to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,804 ($9.8K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-14

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9,804 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E Key points: 1. The contract is for compressed single-ply toilet tissue, packaged for Navy and Forest Service use. 2. National Industries for the Blind is the sole awardee, indicating a non-competitive procurement. 3. The contract value is $9.8 million with a 7-day duration. 4. The product is described as unperforated single sheets wound around a core.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing information is not available for comparison. The fixed price with economic price adjustment suggests potential for cost increases over the contract term.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Without competitive bidding, taxpayers may be paying a premium for this essential supply.

Public Impact

Ensures supply of essential hygiene products for military and federal land management agencies. Supports the mission of National Industries for the Blind, which employs individuals with blindness. The compressed format may offer logistical advantages for storage and transport in remote or deployed locations. Potential for price fluctuations due to the economic price adjustment clause.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Economic price adjustment clause
Limited contract duration

Positive Signals

Supports a specific mission-driven organization
Provides essential supplies for critical government operations

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under the Office Supplies and Stationery Stores sector (NAICS 453210). Spending in this sector is generally stable, but specific contract values can vary widely based on agency needs and product types.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, is a non-profit organization that serves as a primary source for federal procurement of products and services made by blind individuals. While not a traditional small business, it fulfills a similar socio-economic objective.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance and adherence to the economic price adjustment terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
Economic price adjustment may increase costs
Lack of detailed pricing data for benchmarking
Short contract duration may indicate specific, limited need

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9,804 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. PAPER TOILET: WHITE, LENGTH;4,500'' COMES IN COMPRESSED ROLLS. SINGLE-PLY TOILET TISSUE CONSISTOF UNPERFORATED SINGLE SHEETS WOUND AROUND A CORE. PACKAGED IN WATERPROOFCONTAINERS FOR USE BY THE NAVY AND THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE. BOX (BX) CONTAINS 48 E

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 $9,804.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-14.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined without competition?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source justification. Without further details on the specific justification (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need), it's difficult to assess the price determination process. Typically, sole-source procurements require extensive justification to ensure fair and reasonable pricing, often involving market research or cost analysis by the agency.

What are the potential risks associated with the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause in this contract?

The primary risk of an EPA clause is that the government's cost can increase over the contract period if underlying commodity prices or labor costs rise. This can lead to budget uncertainty and potentially higher overall spending than initially anticipated. The specific indices or formulas used in the EPA will determine the extent of this risk.

How does the compressed format of the toilet tissue impact its effectiveness and cost-efficiency for the end-users?

The compressed format likely offers significant logistical benefits, such as reduced storage space requirements and lower transportation costs, especially for bulk shipments to remote or deployed locations like Navy vessels or Forest Service facilities. This can translate to cost savings in supply chain management. Effectiveness is generally maintained as the tissue would likely expand upon use.

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: $9,804

Exercised Options: $9,804

Current Obligation: $9,804

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