GSA awards $5,940 purchase order for mop heads and handles to Kaufman Company, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,940 ($5.9K)

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: $149/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOP,WETOTTON STRING MOPHEAD, FOUR-PLY MINIMUM YARN, BLEACHED OR NOT BLEACHED;MOPHEAD 17.0 INCHES LONG,1.5 POUNDS MINIMUM; 60 INCH WOOD HANDLE; HANDLEDIAMETER 1 INCH

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,940 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: MOP,WETOTTON STRING MOPHEAD, FOUR-PLY MINIMUM YARN, BLEACHED OR NOT BLEACHED;MOPHEAD 17.0 INCHES LONG,1.5 POUNDS MINIMUM; 60 INCH WOOD HANDLE; HANDLEDIAMETER 1 INCH Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature and short duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small dollar value and simple product. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply need for GSA. 5. Sector positioning is within general supplies and equipment procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5,940 for 40 days of supply is relatively small. Without comparable contract data for identical mop heads and handles, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure shifts risk to the contractor, which is generally favorable for the government. The unit price, if calculable, would need to be benchmarked against commercial market rates for similar quality mop heads and handles.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a purchase order under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was not competed. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting it may have been awarded under an existing contract vehicle or as a sole-source procurement due to specific circumstances. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been openly competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for these supplies. A competitive process could have driven down costs through vendor bidding.

Public Impact

Federal agencies utilizing General Services Administration (GSA) supply contracts benefit from readily available cleaning supplies. The contract ensures the availability of essential cleaning equipment for government facilities. The geographic impact is likely national, as GSA serves federal agencies across the country. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the supplier's production and delivery staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency on the specific justification for sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract protects against cost overruns.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment.
Award to an established entity (Kaufman Company, Inc.) suggests some level of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader industrial supplies sector, specifically related to cleaning and maintenance equipment. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing) is listed, which may be a broader category encompassing related tools and equipment. The market for janitorial supplies is generally competitive, but specific government procurement vehicles or sole-source awards can alter market dynamics.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from this specific award. The award was made to Kaufman Company, Inc., and its size status relative to small business definitions is not provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). As a small dollar purchase order, it is likely subject to internal GSA procurement policies and review. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of public competition details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies Procurement
Government Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited public information on award justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,940 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. MOP,WETOTTON STRING MOPHEAD, FOUR-PLY MINIMUM YARN, BLEACHED OR NOT BLEACHED;MOPHEAD 17.0 INCHES LONG,1.5 POUNDS MINIMUM; 60 INCH WOOD HANDLE; HANDLEDIAMETER 1 INCH

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 $5,940.

What is the period of performance?

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

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

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and lists the award type as 'PURCHASE ORDER'. While the NAICS code is 332216 (Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing), the product description is for mop heads and handles. Without further documentation, the specific justification for a sole-source award is unclear. It could be due to the product being available only from a single source, an emergency requirement, or awarded under an existing contract vehicle where Kaufman Company, Inc. was the only eligible vendor. A review of GSA's procurement files would be necessary to determine the precise reason.

How does the unit price of the mop heads and handles compare to commercial market rates?

The total award is $5,940 for 40 days of supply, with specific quantities not detailed beyond the description of the mop head size and handle length. To compare unit prices, we would need to know the exact number of mop heads and handles procured. Assuming a standard quantity for a 40-day supply for GSA, the unit price would need to be calculated and then benchmarked against prices offered by major commercial retailers or janitorial supply distributors for similar quality products. Given the sole-source nature, it is possible the price is not as competitive as it would be in an open market.

What is the track record of Kaufman Company, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts?

The provided data identifies Kaufman Company, Inc. as the contractor. However, it does not offer details on their past performance, contract history, or reliability in fulfilling government orders. To assess their track record, one would typically look at contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Without this information, it's difficult to gauge their experience and dependability.

What is the historical spending pattern for mop heads and handles by the General Services Administration?

The provided data is for a single purchase order valued at $5,940. To understand historical spending patterns, a broader analysis of GSA's procurement data for similar items (mop heads, handles, janitorial supplies) over several fiscal years would be required. This would involve querying contract databases for relevant NAICS codes or product service codes (PSCs) and aggregating spending by fiscal year, contract type, and vendor. This would reveal trends in demand, average contract values, and key suppliers.

What are the potential risks associated with this type of sole-source award for cleaning supplies?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for the supplies. Another risk is limited vendor accountability; if Kaufman Company, Inc. underperforms, GSA has fewer immediate alternatives compared to a competitive scenario. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in the award process can raise concerns about fairness and potential favoritism, although this is a small-dollar purchase.

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: $5,940

Exercised Options: $5,940

Current Obligation: $5,940

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline