GSA awards $4.08M purchase order for handtools to Kaufman Company, Inc. under MAS program

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,077 ($4.1K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 20 days

Daily Burn Rate: $204/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOLDER, FILE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,077 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: FOLDER, FILE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar GSA Schedule contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and short performance period. 4. Performance context is within the Federal Acquisition Service's broad mandate. 5. Sector positioning is within the manufacturing and distribution of industrial supplies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.08 million for a 20-day period appears high for a purchase order of this nature. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule awards for handtools and saw blades is crucial to determine if the pricing is competitive. Without detailed line-item pricing, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the short duration suggests a need for immediate supply rather than a long-term strategic acquisition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. This indicates that the General Services Administration (GSA) likely identified a specific need that could only be met by Kaufman Company, Inc., or that the procurement process bypassed standard competitive procedures for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The sole-source nature limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price for these essential supplies.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring handtools and saw blades will benefit from this award. The services delivered include the provision of manufacturing and industrial supplies. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal operations across various locations. 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

Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially increases cost to taxpayers.
Short performance period (20 days) may indicate an urgent, potentially unplanned need, which can sometimes lead to less favorable pricing.
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source award raises questions about procurement efficiency.
Absence of small business subcontracting goals suggests limited direct benefit to the small business ecosystem in this specific award.

Positive Signals

Award made through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), which generally offers pre-vetted vendors and streamlined ordering.
Kaufman Company, Inc. is an established vendor within the GSA MAS program.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for essential industrial supplies, supporting federal operational needs.

Sector Analysis

The industrial supplies sector, specifically the manufacturing and distribution of handtools and saw blades, is a critical component of the federal supply chain. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service manages numerous contracts within this space, leveraging the MAS program to provide agencies with efficient access to a wide range of products. Spending in this category is consistent across various federal agencies that require maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies. Benchmarks for similar GSA Schedule awards would typically show a range of pricing based on item specifics, volume, and vendor.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Furthermore, the data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false. This means that there are no explicit requirements for subcontracting with small businesses under this specific award. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract is likely minimal, as opportunities for small business subcontractors are not mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for contracts awarded through its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. However, for sole-source purchase orders, oversight may be less rigorous compared to competed contracts. Accountability is primarily driven by the contracting officer's adherence to procurement regulations. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature and the lack of public competition details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
Industrial Supplies Procurement
Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Short performance period for a significant dollar amount.
Lack of transparency regarding specific items and pricing.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,077 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. FOLDER, FILE: - SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,077.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the typical price range for similar handtools and saw blades purchased through GSA MAS contracts?

Determining a precise price range for similar items requires access to detailed product catalogs and historical pricing data from GSA's MAS program. However, general industry knowledge suggests that prices can vary significantly based on brand, material, size, and quantity. For instance, basic utility knives might range from $5-$20, while specialized industrial saw blades could cost $50-$200 or more. Without specific item details from this $4.08 million purchase order, it's impossible to provide a narrow benchmark. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing the unit prices of the specific items procured under this contract against publicly available GSA Advantage! data or other contract award databases for comparable products.

What are the specific justifications for awarding this contract as sole-source?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and is a 'SOLE SOURCE'. However, the specific justifications for this sole-source determination are not detailed. Typically, sole-source awards are justified under specific circumstances outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), such as when only one responsible source can provide the supplies or services, or when there is a compelling urgency. Without further documentation, it is unclear if this award meets the stringent criteria for a sole-source procurement, such as a unique capability of Kaufman Company, Inc., or a critical, time-sensitive need that precluded competition.

How does the 20-day duration impact the overall value and risk of this contract?

The extremely short 20-day duration (from April 3, 2026, to April 23, 2026) for a $4.08 million purchase order suggests an urgent, immediate need for the specified handtools and saw blades. This short timeframe can increase risk by limiting the time available for thorough inspection, delivery, and potential issue resolution. From a value perspective, it might imply a premium price was paid to ensure rapid fulfillment. It also raises questions about whether this is a stop-gap measure or if follow-on contracts are anticipated. The short duration makes it difficult to assess long-term value or performance trends.

What is Kaufman Company, Inc.'s track record with GSA and federal contracts?

Kaufman Company, Inc. is listed as a vendor under the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program, indicating they have successfully navigated the GSA's vendor vetting process. While the provided data doesn't detail their entire contract history, their presence on MAS suggests a level of established capability and compliance. A deeper dive into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would reveal the volume and types of contracts they have previously held, their performance ratings, and any past issues or successes. Their ability to secure a sole-source award of this magnitude suggests a prior relationship or recognized capability relevant to the GSA's needs.

Are there any comparable federal spending benchmarks for saw blade and handtool manufacturing and distribution?

Federal spending on saw blades and handtools falls under broader categories like industrial supplies, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), or specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes such as 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing). Benchmarking requires analyzing historical spending data within these categories across different agencies and contract vehicles. For example, the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration are significant purchasers. Analyzing average prices paid for specific items (e.g., a standard hacksaw blade, a specific type of wrench) across multiple contracts can establish benchmarks. However, without specific item details from this $4.08 million award, precise comparisons are difficult. The total annual federal spending on industrial supplies can run into billions of dollars, with a portion allocated to tools.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MEASURING TOOLS

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: 19 WALKHILL RD, NORWOOD, MA, 02062

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,077

Exercised Options: $4,077

Current Obligation: $4,077

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline