Whitaker Brothers awarded $11.4M for shredding machines, highlighting a need for secure document destruction services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,449 ($11.4K)

Contractor: Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-27

Contract Duration: 18 days

Daily Burn Rate: $636/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SHREDDING MACHINE,P

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $11,449.15 to WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC. for work described as: SHREDDING MACHINE,P Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.4 million suggests a significant demand for secure document destruction solutions. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework for services. 3. The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of the contract (18 months) suggests a need for ongoing, consistent service delivery. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334112 points to the manufacturing of computer storage devices, which may be related to the destruction of digital media. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust marketplace for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.4 million for shredding machines and related services over 18 months appears reasonable given the nature of secure document destruction. Without specific per-unit cost data or comparable contract details, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely vetted against market alternatives. The firm fixed-price structure also helps manage cost risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method of procurement generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service options for the government. The use of a BPA Call suggests that a broader competitive process may have occurred previously to establish the underlying agreement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that the government receives the best value by leveraging a wide range of market capabilities.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure destruction of physical and digital documents will benefit from this contract. The services delivered will ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. The contract has a geographic impact primarily in Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports jobs within the secure document destruction and business machine manufacturing sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements in the provided data.
Potential for increased costs if the scope of services expands beyond initial expectations.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical security function.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Contractor has a history of providing business machines, suggesting relevant experience.
Long-term need for secure destruction services is addressed.

Sector Analysis

The market for secure document destruction services is a critical component of the broader business services sector, driven by increasing data security regulations and the proliferation of sensitive information. This contract falls within the segment of specialized equipment and services designed to manage the lifecycle of information, including its secure disposal. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without more granular data on the specific types of shredding machines and services procured.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not detailed in this information, but larger prime contracts often include provisions for small business subcontracting, which would need to be verified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the General Services Administration (GSA). The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) within GSA is responsible for managing many such agreements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Records Management Services
Information Security Services
Office Equipment Procurement
Secure Disposal Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption
Risk of security breach during destruction process
Dependence on single vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11,449.15 to WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC.. SHREDDING MACHINE,P

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITAKER BROTHERS BUSINESS MACHINES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,449.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-27.

What is the historical spending pattern for shredding machines and related services by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for shredding machines and related services by the GSA requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract is valued at $11.4 million, understanding the trend requires looking at prior awards for similar equipment and services. Factors such as changes in data security regulations, the shift towards digital media destruction, and the overall volume of government records can influence spending. A review of past solicitations and awards would reveal if this $11.4 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these capabilities. It's also important to consider if previous procurements were through different contract vehicles or with different vendors, which could affect direct comparisons.

How does the pricing of Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc. compare to other vendors for similar shredding equipment?

A direct comparison of Whitaker Brothers' pricing to other vendors for similar shredding equipment requires access to a broader dataset of government contracts or commercial price lists. The fact that this contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' suggests that multiple bids were evaluated, and Whitaker Brothers' offer was deemed competitive. To perform a thorough benchmark, one would need to identify comparable shredding machines (e.g., by capacity, security level, type of media destroyed) and compare the unit prices or overall contract value against other awards or market rates. Without specific product details and comparative pricing data, it is difficult to definitively state whether this pricing is advantageous or disadvantageous. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract, however, provides a degree of cost certainty.

What are the specific security levels and types of media destruction covered by this contract?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code 334112 (Computer Storage Device Manufacturing), which suggests a potential focus on the destruction of digital media, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, and other electronic storage devices, in addition to paper documents. However, the specific security levels (e.g., NSA-approved, DIN 66399 standards) and the exact types of media destruction services (e.g., cross-cut, particle-cut, pulverization, degaussing) are not detailed in the summary data. These specifics would typically be outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) of the contract. Understanding these details is crucial for assessing the contract's effectiveness in meeting the government's security and compliance requirements.

What is the track record of Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts for similar services?

Whitaker Brothers Business Machines, Inc. has been awarded this contract, valued at $11.4 million, by the General Services Administration (GSA). To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving shredding machines, secure destruction services, or related business equipment. This involves reviewing contract histories for on-time delivery, quality of service, adherence to specifications, and any past performance issues or disputes. While the award itself suggests they met the requirements for this procurement, a deeper dive into their history with agencies like GSA or other federal entities would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in fulfilling government obligations.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on this contract for secure document destruction?

Potential risks associated with this contract include service disruptions if the contractor fails to meet performance standards, potential cost overruns if the scope of work is not clearly defined or managed, and security breaches if the destruction process is compromised. Dependence on a single vendor, even one selected through competition, can also pose a risk if unforeseen circumstances lead to contract termination or performance degradation. Furthermore, changes in technology or regulatory requirements might necessitate modifications to the services, potentially leading to contract renegotiations or the need for new procurements. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics are key to mitigating these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Computer Storage Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE MACH/TEXT PROCESS/VISIB REC

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: 3 TAFT CT, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,449

Exercised Options: $11,449

Current Obligation: $11,449

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A000A

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline