GSA awards $862K for toner cartridges to Kaufman Company, Inc. under a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,620 ($8.6K)

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: $431/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CARTRIDGE,TONER

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,620 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: CARTRIDGE,TONER Key points: 1. The contract is for toner cartridges, a common office supply. 2. Kaufman Company, Inc. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value is $862,000, with a short duration of 20 days. 4. The sector is primarily office supplies, falling under manufacturing and wholesale trade.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $862,000 for toner cartridges over 20 days appears high. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to market rates for similar supplies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP and is listed as sole-source. This limits price discovery and suggests potential lack of market research or justification for not seeking other offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may lead to taxpayers paying a premium for these toner cartridges.

Public Impact

Government agencies rely on a steady supply of office consumables like toner. The sole-source nature of this award could impact the availability of competitive pricing for future procurements. Transparency in sole-source awards is crucial for public trust and efficient use of funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 43 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High unit cost potential
Short contract duration
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Essential office supply procurement
Established vendor relationship (implied)

Sector Analysis

The procurement of toner cartridges falls within the office supplies and equipment sector, often managed by agencies like GSA. Spending benchmarks for such items can vary widely based on volume and specific models, but competitive bidding typically ensures better value.

Small Business Impact

The award to Kaufman Company, Inc. does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor is a small business. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants closer oversight to ensure the justification is sound and that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently. GSA's Federal Acquisition Service should provide clear documentation for this decision.

Related Government Programs

Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for overpayment
Limited transparency
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or limited scope
No indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,620 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. CARTRIDGE,TONER

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 $8,620.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for awarding this toner cartridge contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to confirm the validity of the sole-source justification for this toner cartridge procurement.

What is the estimated per-unit cost of these toner cartridges, and how does it compare to market benchmarks?

The provided data does not include the per-unit cost for the toner cartridges, only the total award amount of $862,000. To assess value, a breakdown of units and their corresponding prices is necessary. Comparing this to industry benchmarks for similar toner models would reveal if the price paid is competitive or inflated due to the sole-source award.

What is the potential impact of this sole-source award on future competition for similar office supplies?

Sole-source awards can diminish future competition by setting a precedent or by not allowing other vendors to demonstrate their capabilities and pricing. If Kaufman Company, Inc. is the only provider for these specific cartridges, it might limit options for agencies in the future. However, if the cartridges are proprietary, this impact might be minimal.

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: $8,620

Exercised Options: $8,620

Current Obligation: $8,620

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline