GSA awards $5,650 for Herman Miller chair, highlighting office furniture procurement efficiency

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,651 ($5.7K)

Contractor: Millerknoll Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-07-08

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CN122AWAAG1G1BB3014 HERMAN MILLER EMBODYHIGH-BACK CHAIR

Place of Performance

Location: ZEELAND, OTTAWA County, MICHIGAN, 49464

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,650.86 to MILLERKNOLL INC for work described as: CN122AWAAG1G1BB3014 HERMAN MILLER EMBODYHIGH-BACK CHAIR Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the brand and type of office furniture. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a standard procurement process for office supplies. 3. Risk indicators are low, suggesting a straightforward and low-complexity purchase. 4. Performance context is a single delivery order for a specific furniture item. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader federal acquisition of office furnishings.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The price of $5,650 for 999 chairs, averaging $5.66 per chair, seems exceptionally low for a Herman Miller Embody chair, which typically retails for significantly more. This suggests either a substantial bulk discount, a misunderstanding of the unit quantity, or a potential data anomaly. Assuming the unit count is accurate and the price reflects the total for 999 chairs, this represents excellent value. If the price is per chair, it would be concerningly low for this premium product.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $5.66 per chair (assuming 999 units for $5,650 total), which is significantly below market rate for a Herman Miller Embody chair.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring that federal funds are used efficiently for goods and services.

Public Impact

Federal employees in GSA-managed facilities will benefit from new office seating. The service delivered is the provision of high-quality office furniture. The geographic impact is likely within the facilities managed by the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. Workforce implications include improved ergonomic support for federal employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for unit price misinterpretation given the high quantity and low total cost.
Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of competitive intensity.
No information on delivery timelines or installation support.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair market process.
Use of a well-known, reputable brand like Herman Miller indicates a focus on quality.
Fixed-price contract type helps control costs and budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office furniture manufacturing and supply sector. The federal government is a significant purchaser of office furnishings, with spending often managed through large contracts and blanket purchase agreements. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214 for Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing indicates the specific industry segment. Benchmarking against similar federal furniture procurements would provide further context on pricing and competition.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While this particular award may not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, the prime contractor, MillerKnoll Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting plans and their impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its procurement processes, including this delivery order. Accountability is maintained through contract terms, performance monitoring, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule 71 II Part A - Furniture
Office Furniture Procurement
Federal Employee Workspace Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential Data Inaccuracy (Unit Price/Quantity)
Lack of Bidder Specifics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,650.86 to MILLERKNOLL INC. CN122AWAAG1G1BB3014 HERMAN MILLER EMBODYHIGH-BACK CHAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MILLERKNOLL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,650.86.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-07-08.

What is the specific unit quantity associated with the $5,650 award?

The provided data indicates a total award amount of $5,650.00 for 999 units of 'HERMAN MILLER EMBODY HIGH-BACK CHAIR'. This results in a calculated unit price of approximately $5.66 per chair. This unit price is exceptionally low for a premium product like the Herman Miller Embody chair, which typically retails for upwards of $1,500-$2,000 each. This discrepancy suggests a potential data entry error in either the unit quantity or the total award amount, or it represents an extraordinary bulk discount not reflective of standard market pricing. Further clarification on the exact quantity and total cost is necessary for a precise value assessment.

How does the price per unit compare to market rates for this specific chair model?

The calculated unit price of approximately $5.66 is drastically lower than the established market rate for a Herman Miller Embody High-Back Chair. Retail prices for this model typically range from $1,500 to over $2,000 per chair, depending on configuration and vendor. Even with potential government bulk discounts, a price point this low is highly anomalous. This suggests either a significant data error in the provided information (e.g., the quantity is 999,000 chairs, or the total award is $5,650,000), or the award is for components or a different product entirely mislabeled. Without accurate unit pricing, a meaningful market comparison is impossible.

What is the track record of MillerKnoll Inc. as a federal contractor?

MillerKnoll Inc., and its predecessor Herman Miller, have a long-standing history as a federal contractor, frequently supplying office furniture through various government procurement channels, including GSA Schedules. Their extensive experience indicates familiarity with federal acquisition regulations and requirements. While specific performance metrics for all their contracts are not detailed here, their continued presence as a supplier suggests a generally satisfactory performance history. Federal contract databases would provide a more granular view of their past performance ratings, on-time delivery rates, and any past performance issues or disputes.

What are the potential risks associated with this type of contract?

The primary risk associated with this contract, given the provided data, is the potential for a significant data anomaly regarding the unit price. If the unit price is indeed as low as calculated ($5.66), it raises questions about the product received or the accuracy of the award data. Other standard risks for furniture procurement include delivery delays, damage during transit, and ensuring the furniture meets ergonomic and durability standards. However, the 'firm fixed price' contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. The low calculated unit price, if accurate, could indicate a risk of receiving substandard or incorrect items if not properly specified and inspected.

How does this spending compare to overall federal spending on office furniture?

This specific award of $5,650 is a very small fraction of the total federal spending on office furniture. Federal agencies collectively spend hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars annually on furniture, encompassing a wide range of items from basic chairs and desks to specialized ergonomic equipment and modular office systems. This single delivery order represents a routine, minor purchase likely intended to fulfill a specific, localized need within the GSA's purview. Broader analysis of federal spending patterns would involve aggregating data across multiple agencies and contract vehicles over several fiscal years.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) contract type?

A 'Delivery Order' (DO) is typically issued against an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a basic ordering agreement (BOA). This signifies that a broader contract vehicle has already been established, likely through a competitive process, which allows for the issuance of specific orders for goods or services as needed. For the government, it offers flexibility and pre-negotiated terms and pricing. For the contractor, it provides a stream of potential work. In this case, it implies that GSA had a pre-existing agreement with MillerKnoll Inc. for office furniture, and this DO is for a specific quantity and delivery timeline.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Office Furniture (including Fixtures) Manufacturing › Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QSMD20R0001

Offers Received: 999

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Millerknoll, Inc.

Address: 855 E MAIN AVE, ZEELAND, MI, 49464

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,651

Exercised Options: $5,651

Current Obligation: $5,651

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS03F036DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline