GSA awards $8.7M purchase order for saw blades and handtools to Lawson Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,725 ($8.7K)

Contractor: Lawson Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-07-02

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $97/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PARTSMASTER-1636984

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75227

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,724.81 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: PARTSMASTER-1636984 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and 90-day duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed contract under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process. 3. Risk indicators are low with a firm-fixed-price award and a short performance period. 4. Performance context is a standard purchase order for industrial supplies. 5. Sector positioning is within the industrial supplies and manufacturing support category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.7 million for a 90-day period for saw blades and handtools is a significant amount. Without specific unit pricing or comparison to similar GSA Schedule contracts, it's difficult to definitively benchmark value. However, the firm-fixed-price award suggests that the price was determined upfront and is not expected to fluctuate significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is designed for smaller procurements and may not always yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests a balance between efficiency and cost savings for smaller procurements, but taxpayers may not always benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through broader competition.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring saw blades and handtools will benefit from this contract. Essential tools for maintenance, repair, and operational needs across various government facilities will be supplied. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring direct labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may result in higher prices than a fully competed contract.
The short duration of the contract (90 days) might necessitate frequent re-competition, leading to administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price award provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single vendor streamlines the procurement and delivery process.
The contract falls under the Federal Acquisition Service, indicating adherence to established procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial supplies sector, specifically related to tools and hardware. The market for these items is broad and competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service often leverages large-volume purchasing power to secure favorable pricing on such common items, though specific benchmarks for saw blades and handtools can vary widely based on type and quantity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The primary contractor, Lawson Products, Inc., is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), this contract is subject to GSA's internal oversight and procurement regulations. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages these types of awards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, and any significant issues would likely fall under the purview of GSA's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Industrial Supplies Procurement
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies

Risk Flags

Potential for suboptimal pricing due to simplified acquisition procedures.
Short contract duration may lead to frequent re-competition and administrative burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,724.81 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.. PARTSMASTER-1636984

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,724.81.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-07-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for saw blades and handtools by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for saw blades and handtools by the GSA requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Typically, GSA procures these items through various mechanisms, including GSA Schedules, bulk purchase agreements, and simplified acquisition procedures. Spending can fluctuate based on agency needs, economic conditions, and the availability of competitive pricing. Without specific historical data for this exact category and vendor, it's challenging to provide precise figures. However, GSA generally aims to consolidate demand and leverage its purchasing power to achieve cost savings on commonly used items like tools, often awarding significant contracts to large distributors and manufacturers.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar saw blades and handtools?

A direct comparison of the awarded price to market rates is difficult without knowing the specific types, quantities, and quality of saw blades and handtools included in this $8.7 million purchase order. Market rates for such items can vary significantly. For instance, basic hand tools might have lower unit costs than specialized industrial saw blades. Lawson Products, Inc. is a known supplier in this space, and their pricing is generally competitive within the industrial supply market. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of this award means the price was agreed upon before delivery, and its true market competitiveness would be best assessed by comparing unit prices against other GSA Schedule offerings or commercial catalogs for identical or highly similar items.

What is the track record of Lawson Products, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts?

Lawson Products, Inc. has a history of receiving and fulfilling government contracts, primarily through GSA Schedules and other federal procurement vehicles. Their track record generally indicates experience in supplying industrial and maintenance supplies, including tools and hardware, to various government agencies. Performance on past contracts would typically be assessed through contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), which are not detailed in the provided data. However, their continued presence as a supplier suggests a generally satisfactory performance history, though specific details on past issues or exceptional performance would require deeper investigation into their contract history.

What are the potential risks associated with this specific contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract are related to the procurement method and the short performance period. Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) may not yield the most cost-effective pricing compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to a less than optimal value for taxpayers. The 90-day duration, while providing flexibility, also means the government will need to re-compete or extend the contract relatively soon, incurring administrative costs and potential price changes. Additionally, without detailed specifications, there's a minor risk of receiving tools that do not precisely meet all nuanced operational requirements if the initial solicitation was not sufficiently detailed.

How does this contract fit into the broader category of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service spending?

This contract represents a small portion of the overall spending managed by GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). FAS is responsible for providing a wide range of goods and services to federal agencies, including office supplies, IT equipment, vehicles, and industrial products like those in this award. Spending on industrial supplies is a recurring necessity for agencies involved in facilities management, maintenance, and operations. This particular purchase order aligns with FAS's mission to deliver efficient and cost-effective procurement solutions for common government needs, leveraging consolidated purchasing power where possible.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing › Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4695 CLOVER HAVEN ST, DALLAS, TX, 75227

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,725

Exercised Options: $8,725

Current Obligation: $8,725

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline