GSA awards $14,959 contract for marking ink and stencils to Kaufman Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,959 ($15.0K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-13

Contract Duration: 40 days

Daily Burn Rate: $374/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INK, MARKING STENCIL: ITEM NAME INK, MARKING STENCIL I.A.W. A-A-208 UNIT FLUID CAPACITY 1.000 GA PHYSICAL FORM LIQUID OVERALL COLOR SAND MATERIAL TRANSPARENCY OPAQUE SURFACE CONDITION DESIGN NONPOROUS OR POROUS UNIT PACKAGE FORM CAN (PARTIAL DESCRIPT

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14,959.2 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: INK, MARKING STENCIL: ITEM NAME INK, MARKING STENCIL I.A.W. A-A-208 UNIT FLUID CAPACITY 1.000 GA PHYSICAL FORM LIQUID OVERALL COLOR SAND MATERIAL TRANSPARENCY OPAQUE SURFACE CONDITION DESIGN NONPOROUS OR POROUS UNIT PACKAGE FORM CAN (PARTIAL DESCRIPT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for marking ink and stencils, a common supply item. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a routine procurement. 3. Awarded as a purchase order, indicating a streamlined acquisition process. 4. The contract duration is short, with an estimated completion date within a month. 5. The item is described as liquid ink in a 1-gallon capacity can. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing), which may not directly align with the product description.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14,959.20 for marking ink and stencils is a modest amount. Without specific details on the quantity or type of ink and stencils, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, given the small scale and the fact it was awarded as a purchase order, it likely represents a standard market price for such supplies. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule purchases for marking supplies would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was noted as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). This suggests it was likely procured through a pre-existing contract vehicle or a limited competition process, rather than a full and open solicitation. The specific competition details are not provided, making it difficult to assess the extent of bidder participation and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of full and open competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible prices achievable through a broader bidding process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring marking ink and stencils for various operational needs will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of specialized marking fluid and associated stencils. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal operations across different locations. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

NAICS code mismatch: The assigned NAICS code (332216 - Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing) does not appear to directly correlate with the product being procured (marking ink and stencils).
Limited competition: The procurement method 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' suggests a lack of broad market engagement, potentially leading to suboptimal pricing.

Positive Signals

Standardized supplies: The contract ensures the availability of essential marking supplies for federal operations.
Streamlined award: Awarded as a purchase order, indicating an efficient procurement process for a relatively small value item.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of marking ink and stencils falls under the broader category of office supplies and industrial materials. The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages a vast array of such supplies through various contract vehicles, including GSA Schedules. While this specific contract is a purchase order, it represents a small component of the overall federal spending on operational supplies, which can amount to billions annually across various categories.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. As a purchase order for a relatively small value, it may not have been a primary target for extensive small business participation unless procured through a small business-focused contract vehicle.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued by the GSA, this contract is subject to GSA's internal oversight and audit procedures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific details on the competition and pricing justification may be limited for smaller procurements under SAP. The Inspector General of the GSA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Purchases
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Office Supplies Procurement
Industrial Supplies Procurement

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Mismatch
Limited Competition Indication

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14,959.2 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. INK, MARKING STENCIL: ITEM NAME INK, MARKING STENCIL I.A.W. A-A-208 UNIT FLUID CAPACITY 1.000 GA PHYSICAL FORM LIQUID OVERALL COLOR SAND MATERIAL TRANSPARENCY OPAQUE SURFACE CONDITION DESIGN NONPOROUS OR POROUS UNIT PACKAGE FORM CAN (PARTIAL DESCRIPT

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 $14,959.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-13.

What is the specific type and quantity of marking ink and stencils being procured under this contract?

The data provided describes the item as 'INK, MARKING STENCIL I.A.W. A-A-208 UNIT FLUID CAPACITY 1.000 GA PHYSICAL FORM LIQUID OVERALL COLOR SAND MATERIAL TRANSPARENCY OPAQUE SURFACE CONDITION DESIGN NONPOROUS OR POROUS UNIT PACKAGE FORM CAN (PARTIAL DESCRIPT'. This indicates a liquid marking ink with a 1-gallon capacity, described as 'sand' in color, and opaque. The 'PARTIAL DESCRIPT' suggests the description might be truncated. The exact quantity of units (cans) is not specified, only the unit capacity. Without knowing the number of cans or the specific stencil details, a precise understanding of the scope is limited.

What is the rationale for the NAICS code 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing) being assigned to this contract?

The assignment of NAICS code 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing) to a contract for marking ink and stencils appears to be a mismatch. Typically, supplies like ink and stencils would fall under categories related to chemical manufacturing, printing supplies, or general office/industrial supplies. It is possible that the stencils themselves are considered tools, or that this code was selected due to a broader contract vehicle that encompasses various industrial items, or it could be an administrative error. Further clarification from the procuring agency would be needed to understand the precise justification for this code selection.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar marking ink and stencils?

A direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the exact quantity and specific product details. However, the total contract value of $14,959.20 for what appears to be a limited supply suggests a standard, potentially non-discounted, market rate. If this purchase was made through a GSA Schedule, it would have undergone some level of price analysis. However, the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' notation implies it might not have been subjected to the most rigorous price competition, potentially meaning it's not the absolute lowest price achievable but likely within a reasonable range for a small, expedited purchase.

What are the specific performance standards or quality requirements for the marking ink and stencils?

The contract specifies that the ink should be 'I.A.W. A-A-208', which refers to a military specification or standard. This indicates that the marking ink must meet the requirements outlined in specification A-A-208, which likely details performance characteristics such as adhesion, durability, drying time, and resistance to environmental factors. Compliance with this standard serves as the primary quality assurance measure for the ink. Details regarding performance standards for the stencils are not explicitly provided beyond their intended use with the ink.

What is the historical spending pattern for marking ink and stencils by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for specific items like 'marking ink and stencils' by the GSA is not readily available in this format. However, the GSA, through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), procures a vast array of supplies and services for the federal government. Spending on general supplies, including marking materials, is a continuous activity. The GSA utilizes various contract vehicles, such as GSA Schedules, to facilitate these procurements. Analyzing broader categories of 'office supplies' or 'industrial materials' procured by GSA would show consistent, significant spending over time to support agency operations.

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: $14,959

Exercised Options: $14,959

Current Obligation: $14,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline