General Services Administration awards $10,005 purchase order for industrial equipment parts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,005 ($10.0K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-12-09

Contract Duration: 250 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIFTER, BOWL SHELL: ALFA LAVAL INC. PN 99137480(PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10,005.4 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: LIFTER, BOWL SHELL: ALFA LAVAL INC. PN 99137480(PARTIAL DESCRIPTION) Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focus on specific, potentially low-risk components. 2. Awarded as a purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process for readily available items. 3. The fixed-price contract type limits the government's exposure to cost overruns. 4. The duration of the order is approximately 8 months, aligning with typical operational needs for such parts. 5. The industrial equipment parts category is broad, making direct comparisons challenging without more specific item details.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10,005 is modest. Without specific part numbers or detailed descriptions, it's difficult to benchmark the value against similar contracts or market rates. The fixed-price nature of the award is a positive indicator for cost control. However, the lack of competitive bidding prevents a thorough assessment of whether the government secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under the simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been awarded through a pre-existing contract vehicle or a limited solicitation. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', which implies a less open process than full and open competition. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison to ensure optimal value.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a broader bidding process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring industrial equipment maintenance and repair will benefit from the availability of these parts. The services delivered involve the supply of essential components for maintaining operational readiness of industrial machinery. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal facilities across various locations. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving procurement and logistics personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding limits price discovery and potential savings for taxpayers.
Limited information on the specific parts procured makes it difficult to assess necessity and potential alternatives.
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation raises questions about the procurement strategy and adherence to best practices for smaller acquisitions.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Purchase order award suggests an efficient procurement process for necessary items.
The contract duration is relatively short, allowing for periodic re-evaluation of needs.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the industrial equipment and parts sector, which is a critical component of government operations, particularly for agencies with maintenance and logistics needs. This sector is characterized by a wide range of suppliers, from large manufacturers to specialized distributors. The value of this specific contract is small relative to the overall federal spending on industrial supplies, suggesting it is for routine maintenance or specific repair needs rather than large-scale equipment acquisition.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Without further information on the prime contractor's subcontracting plans, it's unclear if small businesses will be involved in fulfilling this order. The lack of a set-aside may mean that larger, established suppliers were prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. As a purchase order, it is subject to internal GSA procurement regulations and potentially audits. Transparency is limited due to the lack of competitive bidding details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Industrial Equipment Maintenance
Federal Supply Schedule Purchases
General Services Administration Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Description
Potential for Suboptimal Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10,005.4 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. LIFTER, BOWL SHELL: ALFA LAVAL INC. PN 99137480(PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

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 $10,005.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-12-09.

What is the specific nature of the 'LIFTER, BOWL SHELL: ALFA LAVAL INC. PN 99137480(PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)' and why was it procured?

The partial description 'LIFTER, BOWL SHELL: ALFA LAVAL INC. PN 99137480' suggests that the procured item is a specific replacement part for industrial machinery, likely a lifter component for a bowl shell manufactured by Alfa Laval, with a specific part number 99137480. The reason for procurement is almost certainly for the maintenance, repair, or operational continuity of existing federal industrial equipment. Without access to the full contract details or the agency's internal justification, the precise operational context (e.g., which facility, which specific machine, or the criticality of the equipment) remains unknown. However, such parts are essential for preventing downtime in facilities that rely on heavy machinery, such as those managed by the GSA or other operational agencies.

How does the $10,005 contract value compare to typical spending on similar industrial parts by the GSA?

The $10,005 contract value is relatively small when compared to the vast scope of GSA's procurement activities. GSA manages billions of dollars in contracts annually, including significant spending on facilities maintenance, equipment, and supplies. A single purchase order of this size typically represents a minor transaction for routine replacement parts or consumables. Larger procurements for industrial equipment or extensive maintenance services would involve substantially higher dollar values and likely undergo more rigorous competitive processes. This specific award suggests a need for a particular, perhaps specialized, component rather than a large-scale purchase or a broad service contract.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' award for industrial parts?

The primary risk associated with a 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' award is the potential for suboptimal pricing and reduced value for taxpayer money. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases under a certain threshold (currently $250,000) and encourage competition. When a contract is not competed under SAP, it implies that either it was awarded through a different, potentially less competitive, mechanism (like a sole-source justification or a specific contract vehicle not requiring open competition) or it falls outside the standard SAP process for reasons not immediately apparent. This lack of competition can lead to higher costs than might be achieved through a more open bidding process, and it limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of suppliers and innovative solutions.

What does the fixed-price contract type imply for the contractor and the government?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, as indicated by 'pt': 'FIRM FIXED PRICE', means that the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience. For the contractor (KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.), this implies they bear the risk of cost overruns; if their costs to produce or supply the parts exceed their estimate, their profit margin will decrease, or they could incur a loss. Conversely, if their costs are lower than anticipated, their profit will increase. For the government (General Services Administration), an FFP contract provides cost certainty. The agency knows the exact amount it will pay for the goods, which simplifies budgeting and financial management. This contract type is generally preferred for procurements where the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are manageable.

How does the short contract duration (250 days) impact the procurement strategy for these parts?

The contract duration of 250 days (approximately 8 months) suggests that this purchase order is intended to cover a specific, limited period of need for the specified parts. This short duration is typical for consumable items, routine maintenance parts, or immediate operational requirements rather than long-term supply agreements or capital equipment purchases. From a procurement strategy perspective, a shorter duration allows the agency to re-evaluate its needs and market conditions more frequently. It reduces the risk of being locked into an unfavorable price or contract terms for an extended period. It also provides flexibility to switch suppliers or adjust specifications if requirements change or better options become available in the market.

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: $10,005

Exercised Options: $10,005

Current Obligation: $10,005

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline