GSA awards $10.2M purchase order for saw blades and handtools to Lawson Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,208 ($10.2K)

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: $113/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PARTSMASTER-1636943

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75227

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10,208.27 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: PARTSMASTER-1636943 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, indicating predictable costs for the government. 3. The duration of the contract is 90 days, suggesting a short-term need for these supplies. 4. The awardee, Lawson Products, Inc., is a supplier of industrial and maintenance products. 5. The contract falls under the Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing NAICS code. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate subcontracting requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $10.2 million for a 90-day period. Without specific details on the quantity and type of saw blades and handtools, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar large-volume procurements for industrial tools would be necessary for a more precise evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. The data indicates two bids were received, suggesting a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While SAP aims for competition, the limited number of bidders might warrant further investigation into market dynamics.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even under SAP, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and terms, leading to potentially lower costs than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring saw blades and handtools for maintenance, repair, and operations will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the supply of essential tools for various operational needs. The contract is geographically focused on Texas (TX), indicating a specific regional requirement. The procurement supports the supply chain for industrial tools, indirectly impacting the manufacturing and distribution workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders) may not have yielded the absolute lowest price.
Short contract duration (90 days) might indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic sourcing.
Lack of small business set-aside or subcontracting plan could limit opportunities for smaller enterprises.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, ensuring some level of market vetting.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Awardee is an established supplier of industrial products.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial and manufacturing supplies sector, specifically related to tools and hardware. The market for saw blades and handtools is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. The General Services Administration (GSA) often procures such items through various contract vehicles to serve federal agencies nationwide. Benchmarking would involve comparing pricing and terms against other GSA Schedule contracts or similar large-scale industrial supply agreements.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in fulfilling this contract are limited unless they are direct suppliers to Lawson Products, Inc. The absence of a small business focus in this particular award does not necessarily reflect the overall small business utilization by GSA, but it does mean this specific procurement did not directly aim to boost the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its procurements. This purchase order, awarded under SAP, would be subject to internal GSA controls and auditing. Transparency is typically maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any irregularities or fraud were suspected during the procurement or fulfillment process.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Industrial Equipment Procurement
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Awards

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Short contract duration
Lack of small business focus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10,208.27 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.. PARTSMASTER-1636943

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 $10,208.27.

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 several fiscal years. Typically, GSA procures these items through various contract vehicles, including Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) and other competitive contracts, to meet the needs of federal agencies. Spending can fluctuate based on agency requirements, infrastructure projects, and overall federal budget allocations. Without specific data for this category, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but GSA's role as a central procurement agency suggests consistent, albeit variable, spending in this area to support government operations nationwide. Understanding past trends would involve looking at the volume, frequency, and average prices paid for similar items to contextualize the current $10.2 million award.

How does the pricing of this award compare to similar GSA contracts for industrial tools?

A direct comparison of pricing for this $10.2 million purchase order against similar GSA contracts for industrial tools is challenging without specific line-item details and quantities. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award provides cost certainty, but the actual value depends on the unit prices and the volume of goods procured. GSA often leverages its purchasing power through large-scale contracts and schedules, which can lead to competitive pricing. However, the limited competition indicated (two bidders) under SAP might suggest that the pricing, while fixed, may not represent the absolute lowest possible market rate achievable with broader competition. A thorough benchmark would require comparing the unit costs of specific saw blades and handtools against current GSA Schedule pricing or other competitively awarded contracts for comparable items.

What are the potential risks associated with a 90-day contract duration for these supplies?

A 90-day contract duration for saw blades and handtools presents several potential risks. Firstly, it suggests a short-term or urgent need, which might indicate a lack of strategic planning or an unforeseen surge in demand. This can lead to reactive procurement rather than proactive sourcing, potentially resulting in higher prices due to urgency. Secondly, such a short timeframe may limit the pool of potential bidders, as some suppliers might not find it cost-effective to compete for a contract with such a limited performance period. This reduced competition could impact price discovery. Lastly, if the need for these supplies extends beyond 90 days, the government would need to initiate a new procurement process, incurring additional administrative costs and potential gaps in supply continuity.

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

Lawson Products, Inc. is a publicly traded company that supplies industrial and maintenance products. While specific details on their historical performance with government contracts, particularly large ones like this $10.2 million award, are not provided in the given data, their established presence in the market suggests experience in supply chain management and distribution. Government contract performance is typically tracked through systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). Without access to CPARS data or specific contract history for Lawson Products, Inc. with federal agencies, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record. However, their ability to win this competitive award indicates they met the basic qualifications and requirements set forth by the GSA.

How does the NAICS code 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing) reflect the scope of this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332216 accurately categorizes the primary business activity related to the manufacturing of saw blades and handtools. This code signifies that the contract is intended to procure products falling under this specific manufacturing sector. While the awardee, Lawson Products, Inc., may function more as a distributor or supplier of these goods rather than a direct manufacturer, the NAICS code is assigned based on the nature of the goods or services being acquired. This classification helps in understanding the industrial context of the procurement, enabling comparisons with other contracts within the same sector and informing market analysis related to tool manufacturing and supply.

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: $10,208

Exercised Options: $10,208

Current Obligation: $10,208

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline