GSA awards $2.3M contract for box shipping supplies to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,974 ($23.0K)

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: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOX SHIPPING

Place of Performance

Location: EARTH CITY, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63045

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $22,974 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BOX SHIPPING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single source, raising questions about competitive pricing. 2. The contract duration is exceptionally short, suggesting a potential need for immediate supply. 3. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure may expose the government to cost increases. 4. The awardee is a non-profit organization, potentially indicating a social or mission-driven procurement. 5. The specific product category, office supplies and stationery, is broad and could be subject to wider competition. 6. The absence of a small business set-aside is noted, though the awardee's mission may be relevant.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the limited information available on the specific 'box shipping' supplies. However, the award amount of $2.3 million for a 7-day delivery order appears to be within a reasonable range for bulk office supplies. Without more detail on the exact items and quantities, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The economic price adjustment clause introduces a risk of cost escalation that warrants monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The justification for this approach is not provided in the available data. Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices compared to competitive procurements because the government lacks the leverage of multiple bids. The absence of competition here means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this award means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these essential shipping supplies, as there was no opportunity for vendors to bid against each other to offer the lowest price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract is the General Services Administration (GSA), which will receive essential box shipping supplies. The services delivered include the provision of office supplies and stationery, specifically related to shipping. The geographic impact is primarily within Missouri, where the contract is stated to be performed. Workforce implications are likely minimal, as this appears to be a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces risk of future cost increases.
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a temporary solution, requiring future procurements.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes it difficult to assess true value and necessity.

Positive Signals

Award to National Industries for the Blind supports a non-profit organization with a social mission.
Ensures a supply of critical shipping materials for GSA operations.
The fixed-price component provides some cost certainty for the initial period.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies and stationery sector is a mature market with numerous providers. Federal spending in this category is substantial, often managed through large indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and smaller spot buys. This contract, for box shipping supplies, falls under the broader office supply category (NAICS 453210). While specific benchmarks for 'box shipping' supplies are not readily available, the overall office supply market is competitive, making the sole-source nature of this award noteworthy.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on the awardee. National Industries for the Blind is a large non-profit organization. While their mission may align with supporting employment for the blind and visually impaired, this specific award does not seem to be a direct small business set-aside or a contract designed to flow down significant work to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (though the parent contract is not specified), oversight would focus on timely delivery, adherence to specifications, and proper invoicing. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Logistics and Shipping Supplies
Non-Profit Contracting

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and increase costs.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces cost uncertainty.
Short contract duration suggests potential for recurring needs and future procurements.
Lack of detailed product information hinders thorough value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $22,974 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BOX SHIPPING

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 $22,974.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to National Industries for the Blind?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, urgent and compelling circumstances, or specific statutory authority. For National Industries for the Blind, there might be a statutory preference or a specific program that allows for non-competitive awards to support their mission of employing individuals with blindness. Further investigation into GSA's contracting records or the specific procurement regulations cited would be necessary to determine the precise reason.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar box shipping supply contracts awarded competitively?

Direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the exact specifications, quantities, and delivery terms of the 'box shipping' supplies. However, sole-source contracts generally tend to be more expensive than competitively awarded ones because the government does not benefit from the price pressure that multiple bidders create. If this contract were competed, it is plausible that other vendors could offer similar supplies at a lower price point. The inclusion of an economic price adjustment also introduces uncertainty and potential for future price increases beyond initial projections, which is less common or more tightly controlled in competitive bids.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' contract type for these supplies?

The primary risk with a 'FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' (FPEPA) contract type is that the government's costs are not fixed. While there is an initial fixed price, the economic price adjustment clause allows the contract price to increase based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as inflation or raw material costs. This introduces uncertainty into the total cost of the contract, potentially leading to budget overruns if these economic factors rise significantly. For the government, it means the final cost could be higher than initially budgeted, impacting fiscal planning and potentially reducing the overall value for money if the increases are substantial.

What is the significance of the short contract duration (7 days)?

The extremely short duration of 7 days for this delivery order suggests an urgent need for the box shipping supplies. This could indicate a gap in existing inventory, an unexpected surge in demand, or a need to fulfill an immediate operational requirement. Such short durations often necessitate expedited procurement processes, which can sometimes limit the scope of competition or lead to less favorable pricing. It also implies that this is likely not a long-term solution and that the GSA will need to conduct further procurements to ensure a continuous supply of these materials.

How does the award to National Industries for the Blind align with federal procurement goals for supporting specific populations?

The award to National Industries for the Blind (NIB) aligns with federal procurement goals aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities, particularly blindness. NIB is a recognized AbilityOne participating non-profit agency, which allows them to receive non-competitive contracts under the Javits-Wagner-O'Neill (JWOD) Act and the Randolph-Sheppard Act. These programs prioritize the procurement of goods and services from non-profit agencies that employ individuals with significant disabilities. Therefore, this contract serves a dual purpose: fulfilling the GSA's need for shipping supplies while also supporting NIB's mission and the employment of blind individuals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Stores › Office Supplies and Stationery Stores

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,974

Exercised Options: $22,974

Current Obligation: $22,974

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02FW0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline