GSA awards $464,500 for waste receptacles, with National Industries for the Blind as the sole provider

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,645 ($4.6K)

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: $664/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,645 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract value of $464,500 for waste receptacles appears reasonable for a 7-day delivery order. 2. Sole-source procurement limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting price efficiency. 3. The fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces some risk of cost escalation. 4. This contract supports the Federal Acquisition Service's mission to provide office supplies. 5. The procurement is positioned within the broader office supplies and stationery sector. 6. A short duration of 7 days suggests an immediate need for the supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $464,500 for a 7-day delivery of waste receptacles is noted. Without specific details on the quantity and type of receptacles, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the price appears to be within a plausible range for bulk office supplies, though the lack of competition could mean taxpayers are not receiving the most cost-effective pricing.

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. The sole-source designation indicates that only one vendor, National Industries for the Blind, was considered capable of fulfilling the requirement. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative suppliers or negotiate more aggressively on price.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring waste receptacles will benefit from the timely delivery of these essential supplies. The services delivered include the provision of office supplies, specifically waste receptacles. The geographic impact is primarily within the continental United States, wherever federal agencies require these items. This contract supports the mission of the National Industries for the Blind, which employs individuals with blindness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases.
Short delivery window may indicate urgency, potentially leading to premium pricing.

Positive Signals

Supports a specific mission-driven organization (National Industries for the Blind).
Addresses a clear need for essential office supplies.
Fixed-price element provides some cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and stationery sector, which is a mature market. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 453210, 'Office Supplies and Stationery Stores,' encompasses businesses that sell office supplies. Spending in this category is consistent across government agencies for operational needs. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing unit prices for similar receptacle types across various government contracts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which is not typically classified as a small business. There is no indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. This award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would include contract administration and performance monitoring. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, though the specifics of the sole-source justification would be detailed in internal GSA documentation. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Waste Management Supplies
Sole Source Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Economic price adjustment introduces cost escalation risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,645 to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

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 $4,645.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific quantity and type of waste receptacles being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or type of waste receptacles. The description 'BAG, WASTE RECEPTACLE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL' indicates that further documentation is required for these specifics. Without this information, it is difficult to perform a precise cost-benefit analysis or benchmark the value effectively. The total contract value of $464,500 suggests a significant quantity or high-value receptacles, but the absence of detail limits granular analysis.

What is the justification for the sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind?

The justification for the sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or specific legislative mandates. For National Industries for the Blind, it may relate to their mission of employing individuals with blindness, which can sometimes be a basis for specific procurement programs or preferences under certain regulations, though this would need to be confirmed by the specific justification document.

How does the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause work for this contract, and what are the potential risks?

An Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor or material costs. For this contract, the exact index or formula for adjustment is not provided. The risk for the government is that these adjustments could lead to higher overall costs than initially anticipated, especially if market prices for the components of the waste receptacles increase significantly during the contract period. This clause introduces a degree of cost uncertainty for the taxpayer.

What is the historical spending pattern for waste receptacles by the General Services Administration?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for waste receptacles by the General Services Administration. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts over previous fiscal years, looking at the total amount spent, the number of awards, and the types of contractors. Analyzing historical data would help determine if this $464,500 award is consistent with past spending, or if it represents an increase or decrease, and whether competition has been a factor in previous awards.

What is the track record of National Industries for the Blind as a federal contractor?

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a well-established organization that holds contracts with the federal government, often through the AbilityOne program, which prioritizes products and services from non-profit agencies employing individuals with disabilities. Their track record as a federal contractor is generally positive in terms of fulfilling its mission and delivering products. However, specific performance metrics for individual contracts, such as on-time delivery and quality, would require a review of past performance evaluations and contract administration records for NIB's various government awards.

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: $4,645

Exercised Options: $4,645

Current Obligation: $4,645

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