GSA awards $2,966 contract for oiled stencilboard, highlighting a short 10-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,967 ($3.0K)

Contractor: Automation Aids Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-18

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $297/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER STENCILBOARD: OILED FOR USE WITH STENCILINKS AND STENCIL PAINTS; 2' X 3'; BASIS WEIGHT (1,000 SQ FT) 70-92 POUNDS; BURSTING STRENTH - 150 PSI MIN; THIKCNESS 0.013'' - 0.018'',; CURL 1/8'' MAX.

Place of Performance

Location: HORSHAM, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19044

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,966.74 to AUTOMATION AIDS INC for work described as: PAPER STENCILBOARD: OILED FOR USE WITH STENCILINKS AND STENCIL PAINTS; 2' X 3'; BASIS WEIGHT (1,000 SQ FT) 70-92 POUNDS; BURSTING STRENTH - 150 PSI MIN; THIKCNESS 0.013'' - 0.018'',; CURL 1/8'' MAX. Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a tactical or short-term need. 2. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) contract type offers some flexibility for fluctuating material costs. 3. The 10-day duration is exceptionally short, indicating an immediate or urgent requirement. 4. The specific nature of 'oiled stencilboard' suggests a niche application within office or operational supplies. 5. The award was made to AUTOMATION AIDS INC, a single contractor for this specific call. 6. The contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging due to its niche product and short duration. The total award of $2,966.74 is minimal in the context of federal procurement. However, the bursting strength requirement of 150 PSI and the basis weight range (70-92 lbs) provide technical specifications that can be compared against industry standards for similar stencilboard products. Without more comparable contract data for this exact item, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the small scale suggests it's likely meeting a specific, limited need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, as a BPA Call, it likely leverages a pre-existing GSA Schedule contract. The specific details of how many vendors were solicited or competed for this particular call are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a broad solicitation approach was permitted.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even for small awards, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives fair market value.

Public Impact

This contract likely benefits federal agencies or military units requiring stenciling for labeling, marking, or operational purposes. The service delivered is the provision of specialized oiled stencilboard, a material used with stencil inks and paints. The geographic impact is limited to Pennsylvania, where the contractor is located, or wherever the supplies are shipped. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small number of personnel for manufacturing and fulfillment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The short duration and specific nature of the product might indicate a lack of readily available alternatives or a very urgent, unforeseen need.
Limited public information on AUTOMATION AIDS INC's track record for this specific product type makes it difficult to assess past performance.
The economic price adjustment clause, while offering flexibility, could potentially lead to cost increases if raw material prices surge unexpectedly.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a commitment to competitive sourcing.
The use of a GSA Schedule contract (implied by BPA Call) typically means pre-vetted vendors and established pricing structures.
The contract specifies clear technical requirements (bursting strength, basis weight, thickness), ensuring product quality.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of specialized office and operational supplies like oiled stencilboard falls under the broader 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of products, from basic stationery to more specialized items. Federal agencies procure such goods through various mechanisms, including GSA Schedules, to ensure efficient and cost-effective acquisition. The market size for niche items like this is difficult to quantify but is part of the larger office supply industry, which is highly competitive.

Small Business Impact

The contract indicates that small business participation was not a primary consideration, as the 'small business set-aside' flag is false. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. This specific award does not appear to be designed to directly benefit the small business ecosystem, though the prime contractor itself might be a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it operates under the umbrella of a larger GSA Schedule contract. Accountability is maintained through contract terms, performance monitoring, and the potential for Inspector General review if any irregularities arise. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract award data.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal BPA Awards
Manufacturing Supplies

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate urgent need or potential supply chain issues.
Limited public data on contractor performance for this specific product.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces potential for cost escalation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,966.74 to AUTOMATION AIDS INC. PAPER STENCILBOARD: OILED FOR USE WITH STENCILINKS AND STENCIL PAINTS; 2' X 3'; BASIS WEIGHT (1,000 SQ FT) 70-92 POUNDS; BURSTING STRENTH - 150 PSI MIN; THIKCNESS 0.013'' - 0.018'',; CURL 1/8'' MAX.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUTOMATION AIDS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,966.74.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-18.

What is the typical lead time for oiled stencilboard with these specifications from other suppliers?

Determining the typical lead time for 'oiled stencilboard' with specific characteristics like 70-92 lb basis weight and 150 PSI bursting strength is challenging without direct market research. However, the 10-day award-to-delivery period in this contract suggests either an extremely urgent need or that the contractor maintains significant stock of this specialized item. For standard paper products, lead times can range from a few days to several weeks depending on customization and supplier inventory. Given the niche nature of 'oiled' stencilboard, it's plausible that it's not a high-volume, readily stocked item for many suppliers, making this short turnaround potentially noteworthy.

How does the price of this contract compare to similar stencilboard procurements?

A direct price comparison for this specific contract is difficult due to the limited data available and the niche nature of 'oiled stencilboard.' The total award of $2,966.74 for a 10-day period does not provide a clear per-unit cost without knowing the quantity ordered. Federal procurement databases often lack granular detail for such small, specialized awards. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need to identify other federal or commercial contracts for stencilboard with similar specifications (e.g., oil-treated, basis weight, bursting strength) and analyze their pricing structures. The 'full and open competition' designation suggests the GSA aimed for competitive pricing, but the actual value benchmark requires more specific market data.

What are the risks associated with a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract for this item?

The primary risk with an FPEPA contract for oiled stencilboard, especially over a short duration, is the potential for cost increases if the raw materials used in its production experience price volatility. While the 10-day period limits the exposure window, fluctuations in paper pulp, oil-based treatments, or manufacturing components could impact the final cost. For the government, this means the final price might be higher than initially anticipated if market prices rise. For the contractor, the risk is mitigated by the adjustment clause, ensuring profitability is maintained. The benefit to the government is securing a supply that might otherwise be unavailable or prohibitively expensive if a strict fixed price were imposed during uncertain market conditions.

What is AUTOMATION AIDS INC's performance history with GSA or other federal agencies?

Information regarding AUTOMATION AIDS INC's specific performance history on federal contracts, particularly for items like oiled stencilboard, is not readily available in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability, quality of products, or adherence to delivery schedules for similar procurements. The fact that they were awarded this BPA Call suggests they are an approved vendor under a GSA Schedule, implying some level of vetting, but not necessarily a proven track record for this exact item.

What is the strategic importance of procuring specialized stencilboard through GSA?

Procuring specialized items like oiled stencilboard through GSA offers several strategic advantages for federal agencies. Firstly, it leverages GSA's established procurement vehicles, such as Schedules and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), which streamline the acquisition process and reduce administrative burden. Secondly, GSA's competitive contracting processes aim to secure favorable pricing, even for niche items. Thirdly, it ensures compliance with federal acquisition regulations. While this specific award is small, it represents the government's ability to source a wide array of necessary supplies efficiently, ensuring operational readiness across various departments and functions that may require marking and labeling solutions.

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: 420 BABYLON RD STE B, HORSHAM, PA, 19044

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,967

Exercised Options: $2,967

Current Obligation: $2,967

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA20A000Z

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline