GSA awards $2.4M contract for ballpoint pens, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,411 ($2.4K)

Contractor: Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-14

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $402/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PEN, BALL-POINT: ITEM NAME PEN, BALL-POINT OVERALL PEN LENGTH 5.500 INCHES (+/- 0.500 INCH) OVERALL WRITING DISTANCE 2,000 FEET PEN POINT TYPE MEDIUM PEN POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE UNIT TYPE DESK OR POCKET INK COLOR BLACK, BLUE, GREEN AND RED R

Place of Performance

Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,410.78 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC for work described as: PEN, BALL-POINT: ITEM NAME PEN, BALL-POINT OVERALL PEN LENGTH 5.500 INCHES (+/- 0.500 INCH) OVERALL WRITING DISTANCE 2,000 FEET PEN POINT TYPE MEDIUM PEN POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE UNIT TYPE DESK OR POCKET INK COLOR BLACK, BLUE, GREEN AND RED R Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.41 million for office supplies indicates significant demand. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces potential cost fluctuations. 3. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration of 6 months with a short ordering period. 5. Awarded by the General Services Administration, Federal Acquisition Service. 6. Focus on standard office supplies, specifically ballpoint pens.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.41 million for ballpoint pens appears substantial for a 6-month period. While the specific unit price is not detailed, the inclusion of economic price adjustment suggests that the final cost could vary based on market conditions. Benchmarking against similar GSA schedules for office supplies would be necessary to fully assess value for money, but the fixed-price component with adjustment warrants careful monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and terms for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these supplies.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible prices through a wide range of offers, preventing potential overspending.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring standard office supplies, such as ballpoint pens, will benefit from this contract. Ensures a consistent supply of essential writing instruments for government operations. The contract supports the availability of office supplies across various federal departments. Impact on the workforce is minimal, primarily affecting administrative and office support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost increases due to economic price adjustment clause.
Short contract duration and ordering period may limit long-term supply planning.
Lack of specific unit pricing makes immediate value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, promoting market fairness.
Contract managed by the General Services Administration, a key procurement agency.
Ensures availability of essential office supplies for federal operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies sector, a mature market characterized by numerous manufacturers and distributors. GSA schedules, like the one used here, are a primary channel for federal agencies to procure common goods and services efficiently. Spending on office supplies is a consistent, albeit relatively small, component of overall federal procurement budgets, often managed through large-scale contracts to achieve economies of scale.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC may be a small business, the award was made under full and open competition. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data, suggesting that the primary focus is on the direct supply of goods.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure fair and transparent contracting. The contract's fixed-price nature with economic price adjustment will require monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable. Inspector General oversight would apply to GSA's procurement processes generally.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Federal Office Supply Procurement
Writing Instruments Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for price volatility due to EPA clause.
Short contract duration may necessitate follow-on procurements.
Lack of detailed unit pricing in award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,410.78 to NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC. PEN, BALL-POINT: ITEM NAME PEN, BALL-POINT OVERALL PEN LENGTH 5.500 INCHES (+/- 0.500 INCH) OVERALL WRITING DISTANCE 2,000 FEET PEN POINT TYPE MEDIUM PEN POINT RETRACTABILITY RETRACTABLE UNIT TYPE DESK OR POCKET INK COLOR BLACK, BLUE, GREEN AND RED R

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLE SUPPLY & LOGISTICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,410.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-14.

What is the typical unit cost for ballpoint pens procured through GSA schedules?

The provided data does not specify the unit cost for the ballpoint pens. However, GSA schedules typically offer a wide range of office supplies, including pens, at competitive prices. The final price paid can vary based on factors like brand, quantity, point type (medium, fine), and ink color. To establish a benchmark, one would need to compare the negotiated prices under this specific contract against other similar GSA schedule offerings for comparable pen types and quantities. The economic price adjustment clause also means the unit cost could fluctuate over the contract's life, making a static benchmark less reliable.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause typically function for office supplies?

An Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in a contract allows for an increase or decrease in the contract price based on specified economic factors, such as changes in the Producer Price Index (PPI) for relevant goods or raw material costs. For office supplies like pens, an EPA might be tied to the cost of plastics, ink components, or labor. The specific formula and trigger points for adjustment are defined in the contract's terms and conditions. This clause aims to protect both the contractor from unforeseen cost increases and the government from paying excessively high prices if market conditions stabilize or decrease. It requires diligent monitoring by the contracting officer to ensure adjustments are justified and applied correctly.

What is the significance of the 'MASSACHUSETTS' location code (SN)?

The 'MASSACHUSETTS' designation (SN) likely refers to the state where the contractor, Noble Supply & Logistics, LLC, is located or where the supplies are primarily sourced or distributed from. In the context of federal contracting, this information can be relevant for understanding regional economic impact, logistical considerations, and potentially for tracking small business participation or geographic distribution of contract awards. While not a direct performance indicator, it provides a geographical context for the contractor's operations related to this specific award.

What does 'BPA CALL' as the award type signify?

The award type 'BPA CALL' indicates that this contract was issued as a task order or call against a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). A BPA is a simplified acquisition vehicle that allows federal agencies to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. Instead of issuing individual contracts for each purchase, a BPA establishes terms and conditions (like pricing, delivery, and payment) under which orders can be placed. A 'BPA CALL' specifically refers to an individual order placed against an existing BPA. This method streamlines the procurement process for recurring needs, making it faster and more efficient than traditional contract awards.

How does the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type compare to other pricing structures?

A 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP-EPA) contract is a variation of a fixed-price contract. In a standard fixed-price contract, the price is set and generally does not change, regardless of the contractor's costs. An FP-EPA contract, however, includes provisions that allow for price adjustments based on specific, pre-defined economic factors (like inflation or changes in material costs). This offers more price certainty than a cost-reimbursement contract but provides flexibility that a pure fixed-price contract lacks. It's often used when there's a risk of significant cost fluctuations over the contract period, aiming to balance risk between the government and the contractor.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 MARINA PARK DRIVE, SUITE 220, BOSTON, MA, 02210

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,411

Exercised Options: $2,411

Current Obligation: $2,411

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC26A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline