GSA Awards $41.9K for Biodegradable Paper Towels to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,873 ($41.9K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-04-16

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOWEL,PAPERL CLEANING AND POLISHING AND FOR USE IN CLEANING OIL, GREASE AND OTHER LIQUID SPILLS; PAPER, LAMINATED, COMMERCIAL GRADE, 93 PERCENT BIODEGRADABLE, FOUR-PLY, NYLON REINFORCED; 2.625 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA MINIMUM OF 185

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $41,872.5 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: TOWEL,PAPERL CLEANING AND POLISHING AND FOR USE IN CLEANING OIL, GREASE AND OTHER LIQUID SPILLS; PAPER, LAMINATED, COMMERCIAL GRADE, 93 PERCENT BIODEGRADABLE, FOUR-PLY, NYLON REINFORCED; 2.625 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA MINIMUM OF 185 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for 93% biodegradable, four-ply, nylon-reinforced paper towels. 2. National Industries for the Blind, a non-profit, is the sole provider. 3. Concerns exist regarding the lack of competition and potential price discovery. 4. Spending falls within the 'Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value is relatively small, making detailed pricing comparisons difficult. However, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government is achieving the best possible price for these specialized cleaning towels.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no other vendors were considered. While this may be due to specific capabilities or mandates, it limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be benefiting from competitive pricing, potentially leading to overspending on these essential supplies.

Public Impact

Procurement of environmentally friendly cleaning supplies supports sustainability goals. Support for organizations like the National Industries for the Blind aligns with social responsibility objectives. Availability of specialized cleaning materials ensures operational readiness for federal agencies. The contract duration is short, allowing for future reassessment of market conditions and competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Environmentally friendly product (biodegradable)
Supports a non-profit organization

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the 'Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers' sector. Spending in this broad category can vary significantly, but this specific award is a small portion, focusing on specialized cleaning materials.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, a non-profit organization that employs individuals with disabilities. While not a small business in the traditional sense, it serves a similar social purpose by providing employment opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for this contract. Oversight should focus on ensuring the sole-source justification remains valid and exploring opportunities for competition in future procurements.

Related Government Programs

Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for non-competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source status.
Limited data for robust value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $41,872.5 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. TOWEL,PAPERL CLEANING AND POLISHING AND FOR USE IN CLEANING OIL, GREASE AND OTHER LIQUID SPILLS; PAPER, LAMINATED, COMMERCIAL GRADE, 93 PERCENT BIODEGRADABLE, FOUR-PLY, NYLON REINFORCED; 2.625 INCHES MINIMUM PER SIDE WITH OVERALL AREA MINIMUM OF 185

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41,872.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-04-16.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and are there any plans to introduce competition in future solicitations?

The justification for the sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the nature of specialized supplies, it's possible that National Industries for the Blind holds unique manufacturing capabilities or is mandated under specific legislation. Future solicitations should ideally explore market research to identify potential competitors and foster a more competitive bidding environment to ensure optimal value.

How does the per-unit cost of these specialized paper towels compare to similar commercial-grade products, considering the lack of competitive bidding?

Without competitive bidding data, a direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging. The 'questionable' value rating stems from this lack of transparency. While the product is specialized (biodegradable, four-ply, nylon-reinforced), the absence of competition means the government cannot be certain it is receiving the most cost-effective solution available in the broader market.

What is the long-term effectiveness and sustainability impact of using these specific paper towels compared to alternatives?

The primary effectiveness is in cleaning and spill absorption, as described. The key sustainability impact is the 93% biodegradability, which is a positive environmental attribute. The long-term effectiveness relies on the product's durability and performance in its intended use. The sustainability impact is significant if widespread adoption reduces landfill waste compared to non-biodegradable alternatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,873

Exercised Options: $41,873

Current Obligation: $41,873

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline