GSA awards $6.2M for pressure-sensitive adhesive tape, with delivery expected within a month

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,203 ($6.2K)

Contractor: Tapesouth Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-05-06

Contract Duration: 27 days

Daily Burn Rate: $230/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAPE,PRESSURE SENSI ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,203.35 to TAPESOUTH INC for work described as: TAPE,PRESSURE SENSI ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price structure with economic price adjustment. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive award. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a short performance period and a fixed-price contract type. 4. Performance context shows a rapid delivery requirement for essential office supplies. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader office supplies manufacturing industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.2 million for adhesive tape is within a typical range for bulk government procurement of such supplies. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (FPEPA) contract type aims to balance cost certainty for the government with protection for the contractor against significant market fluctuations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale office supply procurements would provide a more precise value assessment, but the amount itself does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was generally open, specific sources may have been excluded for documented reasons, or the initial solicitation might have had a limited pool before being opened more broadly. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive process was intended, which typically leads to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging efficient service delivery from multiple potential suppliers.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring adhesive tape for general office use will benefit from this contract. The service delivered is the provision of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The geographic impact is primarily within Florida, where the contractor is located, but supplies will likely be distributed to federal facilities nationwide. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and distribution of the tape by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases due to the economic price adjustment clause if market conditions change significantly.
Dependence on a single contractor for a specific type of adhesive tape could pose a supply chain risk if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price element provides a baseline cost control for the government.
The short delivery and performance period minimizes long-term commitment and associated risks.
The 'full and open' competition suggests a market-driven price was likely achieved.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector, specifically focusing on adhesive tapes. This is a mature industry with numerous suppliers. The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) often procures such common supplies through large-volume contracts to achieve economies of scale and streamline purchasing for federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for adhesive tapes can vary widely based on type, quantity, and specific requirements, but GSA contracts typically aim for competitive pricing.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract award. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through direct subcontracting if the prime contractor chooses to engage them, rather than through a mandated set-aside program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), likely through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is generally maintained 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

Office Supplies Procurement
Adhesive Products
GSA Schedules
Federal Supply Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for price escalation due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Limited competition if 'exclusion of sources' was overly restrictive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,203.35 to TAPESOUTH INC. TAPE,PRESSURE SENSI ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TAPESOUTH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,203.35.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-05-06.

What is the historical spending pattern for pressure-sensitive adhesive tape by the GSA?

Historical spending data for pressure-sensitive adhesive tape by the GSA would reveal trends in volume, pricing, and contractor awards over time. Analyzing past contracts can help identify average unit costs, the prevalence of different contract types (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus), and the level of competition typically seen in this category. For instance, if past awards show significant price fluctuations or a concentration of awards among a few large vendors, it might indicate market dynamics that influence current pricing. Conversely, consistent competitive bidding and stable pricing would suggest a well-functioning market. Without specific historical data for this exact product code, a broader analysis of office supply procurement by GSA could indicate if this $6.2 million award represents a typical or unusually large expenditure for adhesive tapes.

How does the unit cost of this adhesive tape compare to similar government or commercial contracts?

A precise unit cost comparison is challenging without knowing the exact specifications (e.g., width, length, adhesion strength, material) of the adhesive tape procured. However, if the average unit price can be derived from the total award amount and estimated quantity, it could be benchmarked against General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule pricing for similar items or against publicly available commercial pricing. If this contract's unit price is significantly higher than comparable GSA Schedule items or commercial equivalents, it could indicate a potential value concern, assuming similar quality and quantity. Conversely, a price below market benchmarks might suggest a favorable negotiation or a highly competitive award.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'economic price adjustment' clause in this contract?

The primary risk associated with the 'economic price adjustment' (EPA) clause is potential cost escalation for the government. While intended to protect contractors from unforeseen market volatility (e.g., raw material price spikes, inflation), an EPA can lead to higher-than-anticipated spending if the specified economic indicators rise significantly during the contract period. The government's exposure depends on the specific formula or index used in the EPA clause and the duration of the contract. For a short-term contract like this (delivery order with a performance period likely within a month or two), the risk of substantial escalation is generally lower than for longer-term contracts. However, it still introduces an element of cost uncertainty compared to a firm fixed-price contract.

What is the track record of TAPESOUTH INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for office supplies?

Assessing the track record of TAPESOUTH INC is crucial for understanding their reliability and performance history. Information from contract databases (like FPDS) can reveal past awards, contract values, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes, terminations, or corrective actions. A history of successful, on-time deliveries and positive performance feedback would indicate a lower risk associated with this current award. Conversely, a pattern of poor performance, missed deadlines, or quality issues on previous contracts could signal potential problems for this new award, even if the competition was robust.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process impact price discovery and potential savings?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOEoS) process is a nuanced approach to procurement. While aiming for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' element implies that certain potential bidders were deliberately not considered. The impact on price discovery and savings depends heavily on the justification for these exclusions. If the exclusions were based on legitimate, objective criteria (e.g., specific technical capabilities not met by some, or prior performance issues), and a sufficient number of qualified bidders remained, the competition could still yield competitive prices. However, if the exclusions were overly broad or lacked strong justification, it could limit the pool of bidders, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing and reduced savings for taxpayers compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1626 NW 55TH PL, GAINESVILLE, FL, 32653

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,203

Exercised Options: $6,203

Current Obligation: $6,203

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25D000E

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline