GSA awards $3.8M tape contract to TAPESOUTH INC for office supplies, with a 27-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,803 ($3.8K)

Contractor: Tapesouth Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-05-05

Contract Duration: 27 days

Daily Burn Rate: $141/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAPE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,803.08 to TAPESOUTH INC for work described as: TAPE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized adhesive tapes, but detailed product specifications are needed for a full value assessment. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should drive favorable pricing. 3. The short contract duration (27 days) may indicate a need for immediate supply or a pilot program, posing potential risks for long-term availability. 4. This contract falls within the broader category of office supplies, a mature market with established pricing benchmarks. 5. The award to TAPESOUTH INC, a single entity, highlights the importance of understanding their capacity and market position. 6. The contract type (Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment) offers some protection against market fluctuations for both parties.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.8 million for a 27-day delivery order of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes seems high at first glance. However, without detailed specifications on the type, quantity, and quality of tapes required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar GSA schedule contracts for office supplies indicates that unit prices for specialized tapes can vary significantly. The economic price adjustment clause provides some flexibility but also introduces potential for cost increases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific exclusion of sources mentioned in the documentation would need further review to understand if it limited the competitive pool. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid, which is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes for office or operational use will benefit from this contract. The primary service delivered is the supply of specific types of adhesive tapes. The contract specifies delivery to Florida (ST: FL, SN: FLORIDA), indicating a geographic focus for this particular order. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and distribution of the tapes by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price escalation due to the Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Short contract duration may lead to supply chain disruptions if not managed proactively.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
Reliance on a single contractor for this specific delivery order.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, promoting market-based pricing.
Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the base price.
Contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), a reputable procurement agency.
Clear delivery period specified, aiding in logistical planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector, classified under NAICS code 339940. This sector includes the production of various office supplies, with adhesive tapes being a common component. The market is generally mature, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Spending benchmarks for office supplies are readily available through GSA schedules and other government procurement data, though specific tape types can command premium pricing based on performance characteristics.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false) and the contractor, TAPESOUTH INC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided snippet. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether TAPESOUTH INC utilizes small businesses in its own supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and transparent contracting. The contract's fixed-price nature with an economic price adjustment clause is subject to standard review. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, although detailed justifications for specific clauses or source exclusions would require deeper investigation.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Office Supplies Procurement
Adhesive Products
Federal Supply Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation due to EPA clause.
Lack of detailed product specifications hinders full value assessment.
Short contract duration may pose supply continuity risks.
Ambiguity in 'Exclusion of Sources' could impact true competition level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,803.08 to TAPESOUTH INC. TAPE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TAPESOUTH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,803.08.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-05-05.

What specific types and quantities of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are included in this contract, and how do their unit prices compare to market rates for similar products?

The provided data does not specify the exact types and quantities of tapes. The description 'TAPE, PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL' indicates that a separate document contains this crucial information. Without access to that document, a precise unit price comparison to market rates is impossible. However, GSA's Federal Supply Schedules often provide benchmark pricing. If these tapes are standard office varieties, prices should align with commercial offerings. If they are specialized industrial or medical-grade tapes, unit costs could be significantly higher. The economic price adjustment (EPA) clause also means the final unit cost could fluctuate from the initial awarded price, making direct comparison challenging without knowing the EPA's trigger and adjustment factors.

What is the track record of TAPESOUTH INC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for adhesive products?

Information regarding TAPESOUTH INC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially for adhesive products, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past performance, contract values, types of awards (e.g., GSA Schedule, IDIQ), and any reported performance issues or successes. Understanding their history with similar product categories and contract types would provide insight into their reliability and capability to meet the requirements of this $3.8 million award.

How does the $3.8 million contract value compare to historical GSA spending on similar office supply categories?

The $3.8 million value for a 27-day delivery order of adhesive tapes is substantial for a short-term requirement. To benchmark this, one would need to analyze historical GSA spending data for NAICS code 339940 (Office Supplies Manufacturing) or specific Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) categories related to tapes and adhesives over comparable periods. GSA's own spending reports and contract award databases are key resources. If similar quantities of comparable tapes have been procured for significantly less in the past, or if this value represents a disproportionately large share of annual spending in this category, it might indicate a potential overpayment or a need for more aggressive negotiation on future awards.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' contract type in this scenario?

The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP-EPA) contract type introduces specific risks. For the government, the primary risk is potential cost escalation if the economic factors (e.g., raw material costs, labor) specified in the EPA clause increase significantly during the contract period. This could lead to the final price exceeding the initially anticipated fixed price, potentially diminishing the value for money. For the contractor, the risk is mitigated by the EPA clause, but they still bear the risk of costs exceeding the adjusted price if the economic factors move unexpectedly against them. The short 27-day duration somewhat limits the potential for extreme price fluctuations, but any volatility in raw material costs for adhesives could still impact the final price paid by the government.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for the competitiveness and potential cost savings?

This designation suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad ('Full and Open'), certain sources were intentionally excluded. The reasons for exclusion are critical. If the exclusions were based on legitimate factors like lack of capability, security concerns, or specific technical requirements that only a few vendors could meet, then the competition might still have been robust among the remaining eligible bidders. However, if the exclusions were arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could have artificially limited competition, potentially leading to higher prices than if all responsible sources had been allowed to bid. Understanding the justification for excluding sources is key to assessing the true level of competition and its impact on cost savings for taxpayers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1626 NW 55TH PL, GAINESVILLE, FL, 32653

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,803

Exercised Options: $3,803

Current Obligation: $3,803

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25D000E

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline