GSA awards $11.6K contract for pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to Tapesouth Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,582 ($11.6K)

Contractor: Tapesouth Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-07

Contract Duration: 27 days

Daily Burn Rate: $429/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 $11,581.6 to TAPESOUTH INC for work described as: TAPE,PRESSURE SENSI ADHESIVE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a specific, limited need. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Short performance period (27 days) implies an urgent or short-term requirement. 4. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces some cost fluctuation risk. 5. Contractor Tapesouth Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 6. Geographic focus on Florida (FL) for delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11,581.60 is modest. Without specific details on the quantity and type of adhesive tape, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature with economic price adjustment suggests an attempt to balance cost certainty with market fluctuations. Benchmarking against similar GSA schedules for office supplies would provide a clearer picture of whether this price is competitive for the specified product.

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,' indicating that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. This suggests a potentially narrowed but still competitive field. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition framework generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, even with exclusions, aims to ensure that the government receives fair market prices by allowing multiple vendors to bid, thereby driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes will benefit from this contract. Services delivered include the supply of adhesive tape to a specified location. Geographic impact is limited to Florida (FL). Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving logistics and distribution personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases beyond initial fixed price.
Short performance duration may indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Exclusion of sources prior to competition could limit the pool of potential offerors and innovation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a structured and fair process.
Contract is a delivery order, implying it aligns with an existing contract vehicle, potentially streamlining procurement.
Fixed price component provides a baseline cost control measure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector, specifically related to tapes and adhesives. The market for industrial and office tapes is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. GSA schedules, like the one likely used here, are crucial for federal agencies to procure common supplies efficiently. Benchmarks for similar adhesive products vary widely based on material, strength, and application, but this contract's value suggests a specialized or low-volume requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses would have had the opportunity to compete if they met the requirements. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but for a contract of this size and nature, significant subcontracting is unlikely unless Tapesouth Inc. itself is a small business relying on larger manufacturers.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a delivery order against an existing contract vehicle, the initial contract vehicle likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Office Supplies Procurement
Adhesives and Sealants
Federal Supply Catalog

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases due to Economic Price Adjustment clause.
Short performance period may indicate reactive procurement.
Exclusion of sources prior to competition could limit bidder pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11,581.6 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 $11,581.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-07.

What is the specific type and quantity of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape being procured, and how does its unit price compare to market rates for similar products?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The total award amount is $11,581.60. To assess the unit price and compare it to market rates, detailed product specifications (e.g., dimensions, material, adhesion strength) and quantities are necessary. Without this information, a precise benchmark is impossible. However, the contract type, Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA), suggests that the base price is set, but allows for adjustments based on economic factors, which can sometimes lead to higher costs than a purely fixed-price contract if market conditions shift unfavorably.

What is Tapesouth Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly in supplying adhesive products?

Information on Tapesouth Inc.'s specific track record with the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. As the awardee of this delivery order, they have demonstrated capability to meet the requirements. Further analysis would require accessing historical contract databases to review past awards, performance ratings, and any reported issues or successes related to Tapesouth Inc.'s federal contracts, especially for similar adhesive products. This would help establish their reliability and experience in serving government needs.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procedure impact the potential for cost savings compared to standard full and open competition?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procedure implies that a preliminary screening or limitation of potential offerors occurred before the main competitive bidding process. While still aiming for open competition among the remaining pool, this exclusion could potentially reduce the number of bidders compared to a standard full and open competition where all responsible sources are considered without prior exclusion. A smaller pool of bidders might lead to less aggressive pricing, potentially resulting in slightly higher costs for the government than if a broader range of competitors had participated. However, the exclusion might be based on specific technical requirements or past performance, ensuring that only qualified vendors participate, which could indirectly benefit the government by reducing risks of non-performance.

What are the risks associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' clause in this fixed-price contract?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause in this Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract introduces risk by allowing the contract price to be adjusted based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor or material costs. While intended to protect contractors from unforeseen cost increases and ensure supply continuity, it shifts some of the cost risk to the government. If the specified economic indicators rise significantly during the contract period, the government may end up paying more than the initially anticipated fixed price. The extent of this risk depends on the specific index used for adjustment, the frequency of adjustments, and the volatility of the underlying economic factors relevant to adhesive tape production.

Given the short performance duration (27 days), what does this suggest about the nature of the requirement and potential future spending?

The very short performance duration of 27 days (from May 10, 2026, to May 7, 2026 - note: end date precedes start date, likely a typo in source data, assuming it should be later) suggests an urgent, immediate, or short-term need for the adhesive tape. This could be for a specific project, a temporary shortage, or a rapid deployment requirement. It is unlikely to indicate a long-term, strategic demand. Consequently, future spending on this specific item is uncertain; it may be a one-time need, or it could be part of a recurring but intermittent requirement that is procured via separate delivery orders as needed, rather than a large, ongoing contract.

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: $11,582

Exercised Options: $11,582

Current Obligation: $11,582

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