GSA awards $13,335 contract for aircraft solvent wipers to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,336 ($13.3K)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOTH, CLEANING: IAW FEDERAL SPEC. CCC-C-46D & AMENDMENT 2. TYPE I-UNTREATED, CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER, SZ.-16-3/4 IN. BY 20-3/4 IN. UNIT OF ISSUE (AND BASIS FOR BID) IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 8 DISPENSER BOXES, EA. BOX HOLDING 100 CLOTHS (800

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22305

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13,335.5 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: CLOTH, CLEANING: IAW FEDERAL SPEC. CCC-C-46D & AMENDMENT 2. TYPE I-UNTREATED, CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER, SZ.-16-3/4 IN. BY 20-3/4 IN. UNIT OF ISSUE (AND BASIS FOR BID) IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 8 DISPENSER BOXES, EA. BOX HOLDING 100 CLOTHS (800 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of aircraft solvent wipers. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a short duration and established product specification. 4. Performance context is a short-term delivery order for a specific maintenance supply. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader Federal Acquisition Service for general supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13,335 for 800 cloths (8 dispenser boxes) suggests a unit price of approximately $1.67 per cloth. This price point needs to be benchmarked against similar specialized aircraft cleaning supplies. Without direct comparisons for this specific type of wiper, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the sole-source nature may have prevented more competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $1.67 per cloth (800 cloths total).

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is often a recipient of such awards under specific legislative authorities that prioritize employment for the blind. The lack of competition means that the government did not solicit bids from multiple vendors, which could lead to higher prices than if the contract had been open to a wider market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the lowest possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. military or aviation sector requiring specialized aircraft cleaning supplies. Services delivered include the provision of untreated aircraft solvent wipers meeting specific federal specifications. Geographic impact is likely concentrated where aircraft maintenance operations occur. Workforce implications are positive for individuals employed by the National Industries for the Blind.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award.
Limited visibility into alternative, potentially more cost-effective suppliers.

Positive Signals

Supports a mission-oriented organization (National Industries for the Blind).
Meets specific federal specifications (CCC-C-46D), ensuring quality and suitability.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of wholesale trade of industrial and professional supplies. The market for specialized cleaning materials, particularly those meeting stringent federal specifications for aviation, is niche. Benchmarking spending in this specific sub-sector is challenging due to the specialized nature and often proprietary formulations of such products. However, the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) procures a wide array of general and specialized supplies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to the National Industries for the Blind (NIB), which is not a small business. While NIB has a social mission to employ individuals who are blind, this award does not appear to be a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, but basic contract information is publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in award notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13,335.5 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. CLOTH, CLEANING: IAW FEDERAL SPEC. CCC-C-46D & AMENDMENT 2. TYPE I-UNTREATED, CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER, SZ.-16-3/4 IN. BY 20-3/4 IN. UNIT OF ISSUE (AND BASIS FOR BID) IS A SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 8 DISPENSER BOXES, EA. BOX HOLDING 100 CLOTHS (800

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 $13,335.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind in supplying similar aircraft cleaning materials?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a major non-profit agency that operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, which mandates the government procure certain products and services from non-profit agencies employing individuals with significant blindness. NIB has a long history of supplying a wide range of products to the federal government, including cleaning supplies, textiles, and office products. While specific data on their track record for *aircraft solvent wipers* meeting CCC-C-46D is not detailed in this award notice, their established role suggests a capacity to meet federal specifications. Their performance history across various contracts would be a key factor in assessing reliability and quality.

How does the unit price of these aircraft solvent wipers compare to commercially available alternatives?

The unit price of approximately $1.67 per cloth for these aircraft solvent wipers is difficult to benchmark directly against commercial alternatives without knowing the exact specifications and performance characteristics required by Federal Specification CCC-C-46D. Commercial aircraft wipers may vary significantly in material, absorbency, and solvent compatibility. Given the specialized nature and the sole-source award to NIB, it is plausible that this price is higher than what might be achieved through open competition for a less specialized product. However, for a product meeting stringent military or aviation standards, this price may be competitive within its niche market.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential cleaning supplies?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential cleaning supplies is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the awarded vendor may not be incentivized to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to innovative solutions or alternative suppliers that might offer better value or performance. For essential supplies, this could also pose a risk if the sole source experiences production issues or supply chain disruptions, as there are no immediate alternative vendors readily available.

How effective is the Federal Acquisition Service in procuring specialized industrial supplies like aircraft wipers?

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) plays a crucial role in procuring a vast array of goods and services for the federal government, including specialized industrial supplies. Their effectiveness in procuring items like aircraft wipers depends on the specific circumstances. For widely available commercial items, FAS leverages competitive processes and large-scale contracts to achieve significant cost savings. However, for highly specialized items, especially those mandated for procurement through specific channels (like NIB), the effectiveness is measured differently – ensuring compliance with regulations and meeting specific technical requirements. The challenge lies in balancing the need for specialized products with achieving fair and competitive pricing.

What is the historical spending pattern for aircraft solvent wipers or similar cleaning supplies by the GSA?

Historical spending patterns for aircraft solvent wipers specifically by the General Services Administration (GSA) are not readily available in aggregated public data. GSA procures a wide range of maintenance and operational supplies through various channels, including Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) and direct procurements. Spending on specialized items like aircraft wipers is often distributed across different agencies and contract vehicles based on specific operational needs. To analyze historical spending, one would typically need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts matching specific keywords, PSC codes, and agencies over several fiscal years. This particular award is a small dollar amount, suggesting it might be for a specific, limited need rather than a large-scale, recurring requirement.

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: $13,336

Exercised Options: $13,336

Current Obligation: $13,336

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