GSA awards $7.8M for shipping and storage, with a 30-day term, to Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,877 ($7.9K)

Contractor: Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $263/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SHIPPING AND STORAG

Place of Performance

Location: VERNON HILLS, LAKE County, ILLINOIS, 60061

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7,876.64 to WINDY CITY LUGGAGE AND REPAIR, LLC for work described as: SHIPPING AND STORAG Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the short duration and specific service need. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive award under SAP, though specific details are limited. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the short contract term and established service category. 4. Performance context suggests a routine service requirement for the General Services Administration. 5. Sector positioning is within the hardware manufacturing support services, a common government need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.8 million for a 30-day period for shipping and storage services seems high on a daily basis. However, without detailed scope of work and specific service delivery requirements, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The firm fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government, but the overall value proposition hinges on the efficiency and effectiveness of the awarded vendor, Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process for awards under $250,000. The data indicates 3 bidders participated in this procurement. While SAP aims for competition, the level of competition can vary. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers benefited from multiple vendors vying for the contract, likely leading to a more favorable price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring shipping and storage services will benefit from the vendor's capabilities. The contract ensures the availability of essential logistics support for government operations. The primary geographic impact is within Illinois, where the vendor is located. Workforce implications are likely localized to the vendor's operations in Illinois.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of services is underestimated for the fixed price.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical 30-day period could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Limited duration may not allow for long-term relationship building or economies of scale.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competition among three bidders suggests a degree of market responsiveness.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term commitment risk.

Sector Analysis

The shipping and storage sector is a critical component of government logistics and supply chain management. This contract falls under the broader category of support services, which are consistently high-spending areas for federal agencies. The market for these services is diverse, ranging from large logistics providers to specialized local businesses. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without knowing the exact nature of the 'shipping and storage' services, but it represents a small fraction of overall federal spending on logistics.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting plans. Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC, being an LLC, could be a small business, but this is not confirmed. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

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. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would be managed through performance monitoring and payment processes. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply if fraud or significant mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for logistics and supply chain services
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts
Department of Defense logistics and transportation contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for high daily cost given short contract duration.
Limited performance history context for the awarded vendor.
Scope of 'shipping and storage' services requires further clarification for full value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,876.64 to WINDY CITY LUGGAGE AND REPAIR, LLC. SHIPPING AND STORAG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINDY CITY LUGGAGE AND REPAIR, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,876.64.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature of the 'shipping and storage' services being procured under this contract?

The provided data identifies the service as 'SHIPPING AND STORAG' with a Product Service Code (PSC) of 332510, which falls under 'Hardware Manufacturing'. However, the specific details of the shipping and storage services are not elaborated in the summary data. This could range from warehousing and inventory management to specialized transportation of hardware components or finished goods. Understanding the precise scope is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment and for comparing it to similar contracts.

How does the $7.8 million cost for a 30-day contract compare to market rates for similar shipping and storage services?

A direct comparison of the $7.8 million cost for a 30-day shipping and storage contract to market rates is difficult without a detailed scope of work. On a daily basis, this equates to approximately $260,000 per day. This figure appears high for standard shipping and storage unless it involves highly specialized, high-volume, or time-sensitive logistics, such as the secure storage and rapid deployment of sensitive government equipment or materials. Market rates vary significantly based on volume, type of goods, security requirements, and geographic location.

What is the track record of Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for shipping and storage?

Information regarding the specific track record of Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC in performing federal contracts for shipping and storage is not detailed in the provided summary data. While the company name suggests a focus on luggage and repair, its capability in broader shipping and storage services for the federal government needs further investigation. Reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes would be necessary to assess their reliability and expertise for this $7.8 million award.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a significant contract for a short duration?

Awarding a $7.8 million contract for only 30 days presents several potential risks. Firstly, the short timeframe may not allow for the contractor to fully optimize operations or achieve economies of scale, potentially leading to less efficient service delivery or higher per-unit costs than a longer-term contract. Secondly, there's a risk of disruption if the services are critical and the contractor fails to perform adequately within the limited window, requiring a rapid and potentially costly transition to another provider. Finally, the government might not fully realize the value or benefits of the service if the engagement is too brief to establish robust processes or performance metrics.

How does the $7.8 million spending on this contract fit into the broader context of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service spending on hardware manufacturing support?

The $7.8 million awarded to Windy City Luggage and Repair, LLC for shipping and storage, categorized under PSC 332510 (Hardware Manufacturing), represents a specific procurement within the vast spending portfolio of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). FAS manages a wide array of contracts supporting government operations, including logistics and supply chain services. While $7.8 million is a substantial amount for a single 30-day contract, it is likely a small component when viewed against the total annual spending of FAS, which can run into billions of dollars across numerous categories. This contract addresses a specific, short-term need within the hardware manufacturing support domain.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing › Hardware Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1322 S MILWAUKEE AVE, VERNON HILLS, IL, 60061

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,877

Exercised Options: $7,877

Current Obligation: $7,877

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline