GSA's $3,480 per chair purchase for high-back task chairs raises value concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,480 ($3.5K)

Contractor: Raynor Marketing Ltd.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-07-07

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HIGH BACK TASK CHAIR W/ADJUSTABLE HEADREST,FABRIC SEAT, MESH BACK,BLACK

Place of Performance

Location: WEST HEMPSTEAD, NASSAU County, NEW YORK, 11552

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,480.24 to RAYNOR MARKETING LTD. for work described as: HIGH BACK TASK CHAIR W/ADJUSTABLE HEADREST,FABRIC SEAT, MESH BACK,BLACK Key points: 1. The unit price of $3,480 for a task chair appears significantly above market benchmarks. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 4. The duration of 90 days for the call suggests a short-term need. 5. The contractor, Raynor Marketing Ltd., is a manufacturer of office furniture. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337211 points to wood office furniture manufacturing, which may not fully encompass all components of the chair.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The unit price of $3,480 for a single task chair is exceptionally high when compared to typical government and commercial market rates for office furniture. Standard high-back task chairs with similar features often range from a few hundred to under a thousand dollars. This price point warrants further investigation into the specific features, materials, or any unique requirements that might justify such a premium. Without additional justification, the value for money appears questionable.

Cost Per Unit: $3,480 per chair, significantly above market rates for comparable office furniture.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically involves a broad solicitation to all responsible sources. While the competition level is high, the specific number of bids received is not provided. The high unit price, despite open competition, suggests that either the specifications were highly specialized, or there may be other factors influencing the pricing beyond standard market competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying if the high price is not justified by unique specifications or superior quality, even with a competitive process.

Public Impact

Federal employees in offices requiring ergonomic seating will benefit from the chairs. The services delivered are the provision of office furniture, specifically task chairs. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include potential improvements in employee comfort and productivity due to ergonomic seating.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Excessively high unit cost for standard office furniture.
Lack of transparency on the number of bids received under full and open competition.
Potential for overspending if the chair's features do not justify the premium price.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, promoting broad market access.
BPA Call mechanism suggests leveraging existing, pre-competed agreements for efficiency.
Contractor is an established manufacturer in the office furniture sector.

Sector Analysis

The office furniture market is a significant segment within the broader manufacturing and retail sectors. Government procurement of office furniture is substantial, with agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) playing a key role in establishing purchasing vehicles. This contract falls within the office furniture manufacturing sub-sector, characterized by a wide range of suppliers from large manufacturers to smaller specialized producers. Benchmarks for comparable spending would typically be in the hundreds of dollars per chair, not thousands, for standard models.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling the agency's furniture needs through the most competitive means available.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its procurement vehicles, including Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). Oversight would typically involve contract administration, performance monitoring, and adherence to the terms of the BPA and its calls. Transparency is usually maintained through public contract databases, though specific details like the number of bidders might not always be readily available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule 71 II Part A - Furniture
Office Furniture Procurement
Ergonomic Seating Solutions
Federal Workplace Furnishings

Risk Flags

High Unit Cost
Potential Lack of Competition Intensity
Value for Money Concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,480.24 to RAYNOR MARKETING LTD.. HIGH BACK TASK CHAIR W/ADJUSTABLE HEADREST,FABRIC SEAT, MESH BACK,BLACK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYNOR MARKETING LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,480.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-07-07.

What specific features or materials justify the $3,480 per-unit cost for these high-back task chairs?

The provided data does not detail the specific features or materials that justify the $3,480 per-unit cost. Typically, such a high price for a task chair would indicate highly specialized ergonomic designs, premium materials (e.g., exotic woods, high-end leathers, advanced composites), extensive customization options, or compliance with very specific, niche certifications. Without a detailed product specification or justification from the contracting agency, it is difficult to ascertain the value proposition. Standard high-end task chairs with advanced ergonomics and durable materials usually retail in the $500-$1,500 range. The General Services Administration (GSA) may have specific requirements or a particular vendor relationship that led to this pricing, but further inquiry would be needed to confirm.

How many bids were received for this BPA Call under full and open competition?

The provided data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' but does not specify the number of bids received. Full and open competition means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. While this is a positive indicator for market access, the absence of the number of bidders makes it challenging to fully assess the intensity of the competition. A low number of bids, even under full and open competition, could suggest limited market interest or potential barriers to entry for other suppliers. Conversely, a high number of bids would typically suggest robust competition, which should theoretically drive down prices.

What is the typical price range for comparable high-back task chairs procured by the government?

The typical price range for comparable high-back task chairs procured by the government, particularly through GSA schedules or similar vehicles, is considerably lower than the $3,480 unit price observed in this BPA Call. Standard, high-quality ergonomic task chairs with features like adjustable lumbar support, headrests, and durable upholstery often fall within the $300 to $1,000 range. While some highly specialized or premium models might exceed $1,000, prices approaching $3,500 are exceptionally rare and usually reserved for custom-designed or executive-level furniture with unique specifications. This significant deviation suggests that the specific requirements for this purchase may be unusual or that the pricing warrants closer scrutiny.

What is the track record of Raynor Marketing Ltd. in fulfilling government contracts for office furniture?

Raynor Marketing Ltd. is identified as the contractor for this BPA Call. As a manufacturer of office furniture, their track record in fulfilling government contracts would typically be assessed through contract performance history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous awards. Without access to a detailed contract performance database or specific past performance reviews for Raynor Marketing Ltd. related to government orders, it is difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment. However, their presence as a manufacturer suggests they have the capacity to produce office furniture. Further investigation into their government contract history, including on-time delivery, quality of goods, and adherence to contract terms, would be necessary for a complete evaluation.

How does this contract fit within the broader spending patterns for office furniture by the General Services Administration?

This contract, a BPA Call for high-back task chairs at $3,480 per unit, appears to be an outlier when compared to typical GSA spending patterns for office furniture. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages numerous schedules and vehicles that offer a wide array of office furniture at competitive price points, generally ranging from a few hundred to around a thousand dollars for high-end standard models. While GSA aims to provide value, individual BPA Calls can sometimes reflect specific, urgent, or highly specialized needs that might command higher prices. However, the magnitude of the difference in this case suggests it warrants examination to ensure it aligns with GSA's mission of achieving best value for the government.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 525 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE, WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY, 11552

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,480

Exercised Options: $3,480

Current Obligation: $3,480

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline