Laminator purchase for $2,650 by GSA, awarded to Huron Applied Sciences, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,650 ($2.6K)

Contractor: Huron Applied Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-05

Contract Duration: 63 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PART NUMBER: 5725601MFR: FELLOWSITEM: LAMINATORCOSMIC295 9.5 INCHES

Place of Performance

Location: CHAMPAIGN, CHAMPAIGN County, ILLINOIS, 61820

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,650 to HURON APPLIED SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: PART NUMBER: 5725601MFR: FELLOWSITEM: LAMINATORCOSMIC295 9.5 INCHES Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively low, suggesting a focus on specific equipment needs rather than large-scale projects. 2. Awarded via a purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process for this item. 3. The short duration of the contract (63 days) points to an immediate or short-term requirement. 4. The item is classified under 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing', suggesting its use within administrative functions. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates this was not specifically targeted for small business participation. 6. The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying it may have bypassed standard competitive thresholds for smaller purchases.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $2,650 for a single laminator is difficult to benchmark without specific model details and market research. However, given the nature of the item and the award mechanism (Purchase Order), the price appears to be within a reasonable range for office equipment. The lack of competitive bidding, however, prevents a definitive assessment of value for money compared to potential market alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests that either only one vendor was identified as capable of meeting the requirement, or the procurement process did not involve soliciting bids from multiple sources. Without further details on the justification for not competing, it's challenging to assess the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a lack of competition can potentially lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive process, as there is less pressure on the vendor to offer the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, likely within the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service, will benefit from the acquisition of this laminator. The service delivered is the provision of office equipment essential for document finishing and presentation. The geographic impact is localized to Illinois, where the contractor is based. Workforce implications are minimal, likely affecting administrative staff who will use the equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and missed opportunities for better pricing.
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' status warrants further investigation into the procurement justification.
Limited transparency into the selection process for Huron Applied Sciences, LLC.

Positive Signals

The award is for a specific, likely necessary, piece of office equipment.
The purchase order mechanism suggests an efficient process for acquiring this item.
The contract duration is short, indicating a focused and potentially time-sensitive need.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of office equipment like laminators falls under the broader 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of suppliers, from large manufacturers to smaller specialized companies. Federal spending in this area typically supports administrative functions across various agencies. Benchmarking this specific purchase is difficult without knowing the exact model and its features, but the overall market for office equipment is generally competitive, making the lack of competition for this specific item noteworthy.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this purchase was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that the procurement was open to all eligible vendors, regardless of size, or was awarded under conditions where small business participation was not a specific requirement. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase would typically fall under the General Services Administration's internal procurement policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). As a purchase order, it is a less complex instrument than a large contract, but still subject to audit. Transparency is limited due to the lack of competitive bidding, making it harder to assess the full scope of oversight applied during the vendor selection process.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration Procurement
Office Equipment Purchases
Federal Acquisition Service

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of transparency in procurement justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,650 to HURON APPLIED SCIENCES, LLC. PART NUMBER: 5725601MFR: FELLOWSITEM: LAMINATORCOSMIC295 9.5 INCHES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HURON APPLIED SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,650.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-06-05.

What is the specific model of the laminator being purchased and its intended use?

The provided data identifies the item as 'LAMINATOR COSMIC295 9.5 INCHES' with part number '5725601' from manufacturer 'FELLOWS'. The intended use is not explicitly stated but is implied to be for general office functions within the General Services Administration, likely for document finishing and presentation purposes, given its classification under 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing'.

Why was this laminator purchase not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The data states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically used for purchases below certain dollar thresholds (e.g., $250,000 as of recent FAR updates). The fact that this purchase, valued at $2,650, was not competed under SAP suggests a potential deviation from standard procedures or a specific justification for a non-competitive award. Possible reasons could include a sole-source justification, a specific requirement that only one vendor could meet, or an administrative oversight. Without further documentation, the exact reason remains unclear.

What is the track record of Huron Applied Sciences, LLC with federal contracts?

The provided data only includes information for this specific purchase order. To assess the track record of Huron Applied Sciences, LLC, a broader search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would reveal their history of awards, contract types, agencies served, and performance history. Without this broader context, it's impossible to evaluate their past performance or reliability as a federal contractor.

How does the $2,650 price compare to market rates for similar laminators?

Benchmarking the $2,650 price for the 'FELLOWS COSMIC295 9.5 INCHES' laminator is challenging without specific model features and current market conditions. However, a quick search for similar professional-grade laminators from reputable brands often reveals prices ranging from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars, depending on features like width, speed, and durability. Given the award was not competed, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents optimal value or if competitive bidding could have secured a lower rate or a superior model for the same cost.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competed purchase order of this nature?

The primary risk associated with a non-competed purchase order is the potential for paying a higher price than necessary due to the lack of competitive pressure. There's also a risk of receiving a product that doesn't fully meet the agency's needs if the selection process was not rigorous. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the procurement process can raise concerns about fairness and potential impropriety, although for a small-dollar purchase like this, the risk is generally lower than for larger contracts.

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

The provided data is specific to a single purchase order and does not offer historical spending patterns for laminators by the GSA. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for all laminator purchases made by the GSA over a specific period, filter by item description or PSC code, and aggregate the data. This would reveal trends in volume, pricing, awarded vendors, and competition levels over time.

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: 301 EISNER RD STE C, CHAMPAIGN, IL, 61822

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,650

Exercised Options: $2,650

Current Obligation: $2,650

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline