GSA awards $4.1M for plastic bags, with BPA Call contract type and fixed-price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,097 ($4.1K)

Contractor: Capp LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 9 days

Daily Burn Rate: $455/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PLASTIC BAGS

Place of Performance

Location: CLIFTON HEIGHTS, DELAWARE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19018

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,096.8 to CAPP LLC for work described as: PLASTIC BAGS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to CAPP LLC for plastic bags. 2. The contract has a duration of 9 months. 3. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment. 4. The award was made under Full and Open Competition. 5. The Plastic Bags category falls under Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers. 6. The contract is managed by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 7. The contract is not a small business set-aside. 8. The contract is not a sole-source award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract for plastic bags is challenging without specific product details and market comparisons. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure suggests an attempt to balance cost certainty with market volatility. However, the lack of detailed performance metrics or comparison to similar large-scale procurements makes a definitive value assessment difficult. Further analysis would require understanding the specific types and quantities of bags procured and their unit costs against industry standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. This method is generally preferred for ensuring fair market prices and maximizing taxpayer value by allowing a wide range of suppliers to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive marketplace, which can lead to lower prices and better quality goods and services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby reducing the risk of price gouging and encouraging innovation.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring plastic bags for operational or administrative purposes will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures a supply chain for essential disposable items used across various government functions. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal operations wherever plastic bags are needed. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract primarily concerns the procurement of goods rather than services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to assess if the most cost-effective or environmentally sustainable options were prioritized.
The economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases beyond the initial fixed price, impacting budget predictability.
Limited information on contractor past performance in delivering similar large-scale paper and plastic goods procurements.
The BPA Call award mechanism, while efficient, may not always yield the absolute lowest price compared to a direct, large-scale solicitation for the entire quantity.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), an agency with extensive procurement expertise.
The contract is for a common supply item, indicating a standardized need across government.
Fixed-price elements provide some cost control, with adjustments managed through economic price adjustments.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of plastic bags falls within the broader category of supplies and materials, often managed by agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) that handle common use items. This sector involves numerous manufacturers and distributors, with competition driven by price, quality, and delivery capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within GSA schedules or similar agency-specific supply contracts for disposable goods, where unit costs can vary significantly based on material, size, and quantity.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely limited. However, larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for various components or services, so indirect opportunities may exist depending on CAPP LLC's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the GSA IG for any investigations related to fraud, waste, or abuse concerning this contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Government Logistics and Distribution
Industrial Supplies Contracts

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Lack of Specific Product Details
Limited Contractor Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,096.8 to CAPP LLC. PLASTIC BAGS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAPP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,096.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the specific type and quality of plastic bags being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact type, material composition (e.g., polyethylene density, recycled content), or quality standards (e.g., mil thickness, load capacity) of the plastic bags. This information is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment, as different types of bags serve distinct purposes and have varying costs. For instance, heavy-duty industrial bags will differ significantly in price from standard trash can liners. Without these details, it's impossible to benchmark the unit price against market rates effectively or determine if the procured bags meet the specific operational needs of the agencies they are intended for.

How does the unit cost of these plastic bags compare to similar government or commercial contracts?

A direct unit cost comparison is not feasible with the current data. The total award amount of $4.1 million is for the entire contract duration and scope, not a per-unit price. To perform a benchmark analysis, we would need the quantity of bags to be procured and their corresponding unit prices. Comparing this to GSA Schedule pricing for similar items, or analyzing historical data from other agencies' procurements of comparable plastic bags, would be necessary. The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' clause also complicates direct comparison, as the final price can fluctuate.

What is the track record of CAPP LLC in supplying similar goods to the federal government?

The provided data identifies CAPP LLC as the contractor but does not offer details on their past performance, including their track record in supplying plastic bags or similar industrial and personal service paper merchant wholesale goods to the federal government. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their contract history, any performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and their experience with federal procurement regulations. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, capacity, and historical success in fulfilling government contracts of this nature.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' contract type for this procurement?

The primary risk associated with a 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FPEPA) contract for plastic bags is the potential for cost escalation. While the fixed price provides a baseline, the economic price adjustment clause allows for modifications based on fluctuations in material costs (e.g., resins, fuel for transportation) or labor. This can lead to higher-than-anticipated spending for the government if market prices increase significantly over the contract period. It introduces a degree of budget uncertainty compared to a firm fixed-price contract, although it can also be beneficial in volatile markets by preventing contractors from inflating initial bids to cover perceived risks.

How does the BPA Call award mechanism impact competition and pricing for this contract?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call is a specific order issued against an existing BPA. While BPAs themselves are often established through competition, individual calls can sometimes be less competitive depending on the BPA's structure and the specific call's requirements. If the BPA was established via full and open competition, the call benefits from that initial broad competition. However, the efficiency of the BPA Call mechanism might sometimes lead to less rigorous price scrutiny on individual orders compared to a standalone, large-scale solicitation. The data indicates this call was under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting the underlying BPA likely allowed for competitive ordering or was itself awarded competitively.

What is the historical spending pattern for plastic bags by the General Services Administration?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for plastic bags by the GSA. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for previous contracts awarded by GSA or its associated services (like the Federal Acquisition Service) for 'plastic bags' or related North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 424130). Examining past spending would reveal trends in contract values, awardees, contract types, and pricing, providing context for the current $4.1 million award and identifying any significant shifts in procurement volume or cost over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Paper and Paper Product Merchant Wholesalers › Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 MARPLE AVE, CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PA, 19018

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,097

Exercised Options: $4,097

Current Obligation: $4,097

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA21A0009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline