GSA awards $4,271 for J.L. Darling Kneeboard Kits under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,271 ($4.3K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-19

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $388/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: KNEEBOARD KIT - KNEEBOARD, TOP SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N KNBT-KIT

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,271.1 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: KNEEBOARD KIT - KNEEBOARD, TOP SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N KNBT-KIT Key points: 1. The contract for kneeboard kits was awarded to JL Darling, LLC. 2. Spending is relatively low at $4,271, suggesting a niche product. 3. The stationery product manufacturing sector (NAICS 322230) is generally competitive. 4. Risk appears low due to the small contract value and established supplier.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4,271 is modest. Benchmarking against similar office supply contracts is difficult without more specific data, but the price appears reasonable for a specialized kit.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The BPA Call award method suggests a pre-competed agreement was leveraged.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the small contract value of $4,271.

Public Impact

Provides essential organizational tools for personnel requiring note-taking capabilities. Supports operational efficiency in various government roles. Ensures availability of necessary supplies through a competitive process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Modest contract value
Established supplier

Sector Analysis

The stationery product manufacturing sector is mature. Spending benchmarks for specialized kits like this are not readily available, but the overall market is characterized by a wide range of suppliers and products.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses participated in the bidding process.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the General Services Administration (GSA), a primary agency for federal procurement. Oversight is inherent in GSA's contracting processes.

Related Government Programs

Stationery Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation noted
Limited data on specific product demand

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,271.1 to JL DARLING, LLC. KNEEBOARD KIT - KNEEBOARD, TOP SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS, MARKERS & PENS, J.L. DARLING CORP P/N KNBT-KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JL DARLING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,271.1.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-19.

What is the typical usage and demand for these kneeboard kits across different federal agencies?

The typical usage and demand for these kneeboard kits likely vary by agency and specific operational needs. Agencies involved in fieldwork, inspections, or field service operations may have higher demand. Understanding the broader application and user base would help assess the overall value and potential for larger, more strategic contracts in the future.

Are there any potential supply chain risks associated with JL Darling, LLC for this specific product?

Given the modest contract value and the nature of the product (stationery), significant supply chain risks for JL Darling, LLC are unlikely. The company has been awarded the contract, suggesting they can meet the demand. However, standard due diligence on supplier financial health and production capacity would be prudent for any long-term or high-volume requirement.

How effective is the current procurement method (BPA Call) in ensuring competitive pricing for these kits?

The BPA Call method, when used with a pre-competed Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), can be effective in ensuring competitive pricing by leveraging prior competition. However, the true effectiveness depends on the initial competition for the BPA/BOA and whether multiple vendors are active on it. For this specific award, full and open competition was cited, suggesting a robust price discovery process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Stationery Product Manufacturing

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: 2614 PACIFIC HWY E, FIFE, WA, 98424

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,271

Exercised Options: $4,271

Current Obligation: $4,271

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline