GSA awards $4,938 contract for mahogany office workstations, highlighting potential for price adjustments

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,938 ($4.9K)

Contractor: Metro Office Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-07-09

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: WORKSTATION,OFFICEWITH LEFT RETURN,MAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISH

Place of Performance

Location: BELCAMP, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21017

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,938.29 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: WORKSTATION,OFFICEWITH LEFT RETURN,MAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISH Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a single workstation or a small quantity. 2. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment (EPA) clause introduces potential for cost increases. 3. Competition was full and open, indicating a standard procurement process. 4. The contract is a BPA Call, implying it's part of a larger pre-negotiated agreement. 5. The duration is short at 90 days, suggesting a specific, immediate need. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214 points to office furniture manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4,938.29 for office workstations is difficult to benchmark without knowing the exact quantity and specifications. However, the inclusion of an economic price adjustment clause warrants careful monitoring, as it allows for potential cost increases beyond the initial fixed price. Compared to typical large-scale furniture procurements, this appears to be a smaller, more targeted purchase. The value suggests a single high-end workstation or a very limited number of units.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is the standard and preferred method for federal procurements. This indicates that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible value through a competitive process, minimizing the risk of overpayment due to a lack of options.

Public Impact

Federal employees in Maryland will benefit from new or updated office workstations. The contract supports the General Services Administration's (GSA) mission to provide workspace solutions. The delivery location is specified as Maryland (MD). The procurement indirectly supports the manufacturing sector for office furniture.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause.
Lack of specific quantity and detailed specifications makes value assessment challenging.
Short contract duration may indicate an urgent need, potentially limiting thorough vetting.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive bidding process.
Part of a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-vetted vendor and potentially streamlined ordering.
Contract specifies a fixed price component, providing some cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office furniture manufacturing and supply sector. The NAICS code 337214 specifically relates to the manufacturing of office furniture, excluding wood. The market for office furniture is competitive, with numerous manufacturers and suppliers. Federal spending in this area typically supports agencies' needs for workspace outfitting and modernization. Benchmarks for individual workstations can vary significantly based on material, design, and features.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. While the prime contractor, Metro Office Solutions Inc., is not explicitly identified as large or small, the lack of set-aside provisions means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not mandated by this specific award, though they may arise through the contractor's own supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it is a task order against a broader Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), which itself would have undergone GSA's procurement oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract actions are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Furniture Procurement
Federal Workspace Modernization Programs
Office Furniture Supply Contracts

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause
Lack of Specific Quantity/Specifications
Short Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,938.29 to METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC. WORKSTATION,OFFICEWITH LEFT RETURN,MAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISHMAHOGANY FINISH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METRO OFFICE SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,938.29.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-07-09.

What is the specific type and quantity of workstation being procured?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of workstations. The description 'WORKSTATION,OFFICEWITH LEFT RETURN,MAHOGANY FINISH' is generic. The total award amount of $4,938.29 suggests either a single high-end workstation or a small number of standard units. Without further details from the contract award or associated documentation, it is impossible to determine the precise item and quantity. This lack of specificity hinders a thorough analysis of unit cost and overall value for money.

How does the potential for economic price adjustment impact the final cost?

The 'ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT' clause allows the contractor to adjust the price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as material costs or labor indices. This means the final price paid could be higher than the initial $4,938.29. The extent of this impact depends on the specific economic indicators tied to the EPA clause and the market conditions during the contract period. While it protects the contractor from unforeseen cost increases, it introduces uncertainty for the government regarding the final expenditure. The GSA typically has guidelines for EPA clauses to limit excessive price increases.

What is the typical cost range for similar office workstations procured by the federal government?

The cost range for federal office workstations can vary widely, from a few hundred dollars for basic models to several thousand for executive or specialized units. A contract value of $4,938.29, especially with an EPA clause, suggests a mid-to-high-end single workstation or a small batch. For context, standard task chairs might range from $200-$800, while executive desks can exceed $2,000. Without knowing the exact specifications (e.g., material, size, ergonomic features, brand), a precise benchmark is difficult. However, this award appears to be within a plausible range for a single, well-appointed workstation or a very limited quantity.

What is the significance of this contract being a BPA Call?

A BPA Call (Basic Ordering Agreement Call) signifies that this specific purchase is a task order issued under a pre-existing Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA). BOAs are established between agencies and vendors to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased supplies or services. This means that terms, conditions, and pricing structures have likely been negotiated and agreed upon in advance under the BOA. A BPA Call is generally a faster and more efficient way to procure goods compared to a full and open competition for each individual need. It implies a degree of pre-qualification and established relationship between GSA and Metro Office Solutions Inc.

What does the NAICS code 337214 indicate about the contractor's capabilities?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337214, 'Office Furniture (except Wood) Manufacturing,' indicates that the contractor, or at least the product being procured, is associated with the manufacturing of office furniture, specifically excluding wood-based products. This could encompass metal, plastic, or composite furniture. It suggests that Metro Office Solutions Inc. either manufactures these types of workstations or is a supplier with direct access to manufacturers operating under this classification. This code helps categorize the industry and understand the business operations related to the contract.

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

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

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4692 MILLENNIUM DR, BELCAMP, MD, 21017

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,938

Exercised Options: $4,938

Current Obligation: $4,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMA22A08N5

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline