GSA awards $3,550 for plastic film wrap, highlighting potential for better sourcing in office supplies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,550 ($3.5K)

Contractor: MBA Office Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $169/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM I.A.W. TYPE II - HIGH STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE CLASS 1 - FOR NON-FOOD APPLICATIONS GRADE A - LOW SLIP FINISH 1 - UNTREATED OVERALL WIDTH 20.00 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 5,000 FEET OVERALL THICKNESS 0.001 INCH

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA CLARA, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95050

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,550 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM I.A.W. TYPE II - HIGH STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE CLASS 1 - FOR NON-FOOD APPLICATIONS GRADE A - LOW SLIP FINISH 1 - UNTREATED OVERALL WIDTH 20.00 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 5,000 FEET OVERALL THICKNESS 0.001 INCH Key points: 1. The contract for plastic film wrap was awarded via a purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process. 2. The specific type of wrap is high-strength polyethylene, suitable for non-food applications, suggesting specialized use. 3. The duration of the contract is short, at 21 days, implying a need for immediate or short-term supply. 4. The award to MBA Office Supply, Inc. falls under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940 points to the manufacturing of office supplies. 6. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have bypassed standard competitive processes.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The value of this contract is very low at $3,550, making a direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, the fact that it was not competed under SAP raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. Without more information on the specific requirements and market rates for this specialized plastic film, it's hard to definitively assess value for money. The short duration also suggests a potential for reactive rather than strategic procurement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was noted as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which implies it may have been awarded using procedures outside of standard competitive bidding, potentially through direct negotiation or a pre-existing agreement. The absence of a clear competition level makes it difficult to assess the extent of market engagement. Further details on the specific procurement method are needed to understand the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: When contracts are not fully competed, taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for goods and services.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized plastic film for non-food applications will benefit from this supply. The services delivered include the provision of high-strength polyethylene wrap meeting specific dimensional and performance criteria. The geographic impact is likely limited to the location where the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service requires the material. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition under SAP could mean missed opportunities for cost savings.
Short contract duration may indicate a lack of long-term planning or an urgent, unforecasted need.
Specificity of the product ('high-strength polyethylene', 'low slip finish') suggests potential for limited supplier pool if not sourced broadly.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific supplier (MBA Office Supply, Inc.) indicates a direct fulfillment of a need.
The contract specifies clear technical requirements (Type II, Class 1, Grade A), ensuring product suitability.
The purchase order mechanism suggests a relatively straightforward and efficient transaction for a low-value item.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on plastic film products. The market for industrial and packaging films is diverse, with specialized requirements often dictating supplier selection. While the dollar amount is small, it represents a micro-level transaction within a larger ecosystem of material procurement for government operations. Benchmarking would require comparing pricing for similar industrial-grade plastic films across government and commercial channels.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business and does not appear to be a small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely negligible, though the prime contractor's overall business practices would be relevant.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), this transaction is subject to GSA's internal procurement policies and oversight. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) typically manages such procurements. Transparency is limited by the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, suggesting that standard public reporting of competitive bids may not apply. Inspector General oversight would generally cover fraud, waste, and abuse within GSA's operations.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Procurement
Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Industrial Packaging Materials

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,550 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC.. WRAP, PLASTIC FILM: ITEM NAME WRAP, PLASTIC FILM I.A.W. TYPE II - HIGH STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE CLASS 1 - FOR NON-FOOD APPLICATIONS GRADE A - LOW SLIP FINISH 1 - UNTREATED OVERALL WIDTH 20.00 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 5,000 FEET OVERALL THICKNESS 0.001 INCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,550.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the typical market price for 5,000 feet of 1-mil high-strength, low-slip polyethylene film for non-food applications?

Determining the precise market price for specialized plastic film like 'WRAP, PLASTIC FILM I.A.W. TYPE II - HIGH STRENGTH POLYETHYLENE CLASS 1 - FOR NON-FOOD APPLICATIONS GRADE A - LOW SLIP FINISH 1 - UNTREATED OVERALL WIDTH 20.00 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH 5,000 FEET OVERALL THICKNESS 0.001 INCH' without a specific manufacturer or detailed commercial equivalent is challenging. Commercial industrial packaging suppliers offer various grades of polyethylene film. Prices can range significantly based on factors like tensile strength, slip additives, roll width, thickness, and order volume. For a 20-inch wide, 5,000-foot roll of 1-mil film, commercial prices might range from $50 to $150 or more per roll, depending on these specifications and the supplier. The $3,550 award for one such roll suggests a potentially high per-unit cost if this is indeed the only item procured, warranting further investigation into the specific product's unique properties or the procurement circumstances.

Why was this contract not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The designation 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' indicates that the procurement likely fell below the threshold for mandatory SAP competition or was handled through an exception. SAP typically applies to purchases between $10,000 and $250,000 (or higher for certain categories). For purchases under $10,000, agencies have broad discretion in how they solicit offers, often using methods like GSA Advantage!, imprest funds, or direct purchase orders without formal competition. Alternatively, the contract might have been awarded under specific exceptions to competition, such as using a sole-source justification, aждены contract vehicle, or if the value was so low that formal competition was deemed impractical or not cost-effective by the contracting officer. Without more context on the specific dollar value and the agency's internal policies, the exact reason remains unclear.

What is the track record of MBA Office Supply, Inc. with federal contracts?

Information on MBA Office Supply, Inc.'s federal contracting history is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. These databases would reveal the volume and types of contracts awarded to the company, their performance history (if recorded), and whether they have a history of receiving sole-source or competitively awarded contracts. A review of past performance would help determine if they are a reliable supplier for government needs and if their pricing has been competitive in previous engagements.

How does this contract compare to other federal spending on plastic film or packaging materials?

This $3,550 contract for a specific type of plastic film is a very small transaction within the vast landscape of federal spending on packaging and supplies. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on a wide array of materials, including various types of films, tapes, boxes, and protective packaging. Larger contracts often involve bulk purchases for distribution centers, military logistics, or agency-wide supply agreements. This particular award appears to be for a niche requirement or a small quantity, making direct comparison to major packaging contracts difficult. However, it highlights the granular nature of federal procurement, where even small, specific needs are met through formal or semi-formal purchasing processes.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding contracts not competed under SAP?

The primary risk associated with awarding contracts not competed under SAP is the potential for suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer money. When competition is limited or absent, there is less pressure on suppliers to offer their best prices. This can lead to overpayment for goods or services. Additionally, a lack of competition can reduce transparency in the procurement process and may limit opportunities for new or small businesses to enter the federal market. Agencies might also miss out on innovative solutions or higher-quality products that could have emerged from a broader competitive solicitation. Ensuring proper justification and documentation for non-competitive awards is crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 280 MARTIN AVE STE 5, SANTA CLARA, CA, 95050

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,550

Exercised Options: $3,550

Current Obligation: $3,550

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline