GSA awards $6.57M contract for stationery products to JL Darling, LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,568 ($6.6K)

Contractor: JL Darling, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-11

End Date: 2026-04-22

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $597/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: WALLET,INDEX CARDE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL.ETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: FIFE, PIERCE County, WASHINGTON, 98424

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,567.6 to JL DARLING, LLC for work described as: WALLET,INDEX CARDE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL.ETAIL. Key points: 1. Contract value of $6.57M for stationery products indicates a significant demand for these essential office supplies. 2. The award to JL Darling, LLC suggests a competitive landscape for stationery manufacturing, with established players meeting federal needs. 3. A fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment offers some cost certainty while acknowledging potential market fluctuations. 4. The short duration of the contract (11 days) points to a rapid procurement process, possibly for immediate or recurring needs. 5. The contract's focus on stationery products places it within the broader administrative and operational support sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.57 million for stationery products appears reasonable given the scope of federal agency needs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale stationery procurements would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price with economic price adjustment structure aims to balance cost control with market volatility, which is a common approach for goods with potentially fluctuating raw material costs. Without specific per-unit data, a direct comparison is challenging, but the overall award size suggests a competitive bidding process likely yielded a fair market price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method typically fosters a robust bidding environment, encouraging multiple vendors to compete on price, quality, and delivery. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of competition, which is generally beneficial for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the opportunity for taxpayers to benefit from the most competitive pricing available in the market for stationery products.

Public Impact

Federal agencies across various departments will benefit from a reliable supply of essential stationery products. The contract ensures the availability of items such as paper, pens, folders, and other office supplies necessary for daily operations. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as federal agencies operate in numerous locations. The contract supports the manufacturing workforce involved in producing stationery products, potentially including jobs in Washington state where JL Darling, LLC is based.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality standards in the provided data.
Potential for price increases due to the economic price adjustment clause if raw material costs escalate significantly.
Limited visibility into the exact range of stationery products covered under this BPA call.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Fixed-price element provides a baseline cost stability for the government.
Contract supports a known and essential category of federal spending (stationery).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Office Supplies and Equipment' sector, which is a component of the larger administrative and support services industry. The federal government is a significant consumer of office supplies, with spending often managed through large-scale contracts and purchasing vehicles like Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 322230 for Stationery Product Manufacturing indicates the specific industry segment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing aggregate federal spending on office supplies and stationery over several fiscal years.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if JL Darling, LLC chooses to engage them. Without explicit subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. However, the nature of stationery manufacturing might involve smaller specialized suppliers.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service, which manages many procurement vehicles. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for review of basic contract details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule 75 - Office, Entertainment, Recreation, Special Industry Machinery and Special Industry Equipment, Rental/Lease
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Administrative Support Services

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate an urgent need or a reactive procurement process.
Economic Price Adjustment clause introduces potential for cost escalation.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,567.6 to JL DARLING, LLC. WALLET,INDEX CARDE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FORDETAIL.ETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JL DARLING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,567.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-11. End: 2026-04-22.

What is the historical spending pattern for stationery products by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for stationery products by the GSA requires accessing detailed federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Typically, agencies like GSA procure these items through various mechanisms, including GSA Schedules, direct procurements, and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs). Spending can fluctuate based on agency needs, budget allocations, and the consolidation of purchasing power. A trend analysis would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and identify any significant shifts in procurement strategies or vendor reliance. For instance, a sustained increase might indicate growing federal operational needs or a successful consolidation of demand, while a decrease could signal efficiency gains or a shift towards digital alternatives where applicable. Without specific historical data for this NAICS code or contract type, a precise trend cannot be determined, but generally, federal spending on essential office supplies remains a consistent, albeit sometimes declining, category.

How does the per-unit cost of stationery items under this contract compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?

Determining the precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging without the detailed pricing breakdown for individual stationery items within this $6.57 million contract. Federal contracts, especially those awarded under full and open competition, often aim to secure prices at or below market rates due to bulk purchasing power and competitive pressures. However, the 'economic price adjustment' clause introduces a variable element that could allow prices to rise with market conditions. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify specific items (e.g., a ream of paper, a box of pens) and compare their unit prices to catalog prices from major office supply retailers, prices from other federal contracts for similar items (e.g., other GSA Schedule 75 awards), or industry benchmarks. Generally, federal contracts are expected to offer good value, but the effectiveness of this specific contract's pricing can only be fully assessed with granular data.

What are the specific risks associated with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment for stationery products?

A primary risk with a 'fixed-price with economic price adjustment' (FPEPA) contract for stationery products is the potential for cost escalation. While the fixed-price component provides a baseline, the economic price adjustment (EPA) allows for price changes based on specified economic factors, typically related to inflation or changes in the cost of raw materials (like paper pulp, ink, or plastic). If the cost of these inputs rises significantly, the government may end up paying more than initially anticipated, potentially eroding the value proposition. Another risk is the administrative burden associated with tracking and verifying the economic indicators used for EPA adjustments. Furthermore, if the EPA formula is not carefully defined or if market volatility is extreme, the government could face unpredictable cost increases, impacting budget certainty. Conversely, if costs decrease, the EPA might not always allow for corresponding price reductions, depending on the contract's specific terms.

What is the track record of JL Darling, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for stationery products?

Assessing the track record of JL Darling, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov for previous awards, contract values, agencies served, and performance ratings. Key indicators include on-time delivery, product quality compliance, and any history of contract disputes, terminations, or corrective actions. A company with a consistent history of successful contract completions, positive past performance reviews, and minimal issues is generally considered a lower risk. For stationery products, their experience in manufacturing and distributing these items at scale, meeting government specifications, and managing logistics would be particularly relevant. Without direct access to JL Darling's specific contract history and performance data, a definitive assessment of their track record is not possible from the provided summary.

How does the duration of this contract (11 days) impact the assessment of its value and potential risks?

The extremely short duration of this contract (11 days, from April 11, 2026, to April 22, 2026) suggests it is likely a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) call or a task order under a larger existing agreement, rather than a standalone, long-term contract. This short timeframe implies a need for immediate or very near-term supply of stationery products. From a value perspective, it suggests a focus on rapid fulfillment rather than long-term price optimization. Risks associated with such a short duration are generally lower in terms of long-term market exposure or obsolescence. However, it could indicate a reactive procurement process, potentially missing opportunities for more strategic sourcing or volume discounts that longer-term commitments might offer. It also raises questions about whether this is a recurring need that will be fulfilled by subsequent short-term calls or if it represents a one-off urgent requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Converted Paper Product Manufacturing › Stationery Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

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: 2614 PACIFIC HWY E, FIFE, WA, 98424

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,568

Exercised Options: $6,568

Current Obligation: $6,568

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA22A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline