GSA awards $2.75M for puller rods, with 1 bidder and 330-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,750 ($2.8K)

Contractor: Consolidated Inventory Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-02-27

Contract Duration: 330 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Place of Performance

Location: ALCOA, BLOUNT County, TENNESSEE, 37701

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,750 to CONSOLIDATED INVENTORY SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION) Key points: 1. The contract was competed under simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. A single bidder participated, raising questions about the extent of competition and potential price discovery. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The award is a purchase order, a common instrument for acquiring goods and services. 5. The contract duration is 330 days, indicating a relatively short-term need for the specified parts. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332216 points to the saw blade and handtool manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $2.75 million for puller rods appears to be a significant sum for this type of item, especially given the limited competition. Without specific unit cost data or benchmarks for similar puller rods, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the presence of only one bidder could indicate that the pricing may not have been subjected to robust market pressure, potentially leading to a less competitive price than if multiple offers were received. Further analysis would require detailed specifications of the puller rods and comparison to industry pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which are typically used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. The data indicates only one bidder was involved in this procurement. While SAP allows for various methods of competition, the presence of a single bidder suggests that the competition may have been limited, potentially due to the specific nature of the required parts, the number of qualified suppliers, or the way the solicitation was conducted. This could impact the government's ability to secure the most favorable pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bidder in a procurement, even under SAP, means taxpayers may not benefit from the full range of competitive pricing that could be achieved with multiple offers. This can lead to higher costs than might otherwise be possible.

Public Impact

The General Services Administration (GSA) benefits from the acquisition of necessary puller rods for its inventory. The services delivered involve the procurement of specific industrial components. The geographic impact is localized to Tennessee (TN), where the contractor Consolidated Inventory Supply, Inc. is based. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily affecting the manufacturing and supply chain roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to single bidder may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed specifications for 'PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)' makes independent value assessment challenging.
The contract value seems high for what appears to be a component, warranting scrutiny of the exact requirements and unit costs.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The award is made to Consolidated Inventory Supply, Inc., a supplier within the relevant industry.
The contract is managed by the General Services Administration, an agency with established procurement processes.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the manufacturing sector, specifically related to handtools and hardware, as indicated by NAICS code 332216. This sector involves the production of a wide range of tools and metal components. The contract value of $2.75 million for puller rods, while specific, is within the range of many industrial supply contracts. Benchmarking this spending would require comparing it to other government or commercial contracts for similar specialized components, considering factors like quantity, material, and specifications.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside (sb) was false, and the contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, this contract does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through a set-aside. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be needed to assess any indirect impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) manages this contract, which is a purchase order. GSA has established oversight mechanisms for its procurement processes, including internal reviews and compliance checks. Accountability is typically managed through contract administration and performance monitoring. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would fall under the GSA's Office of Inspector General, which can investigate allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse in federal contracts.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Supply Schedules
Federal Supply Service (FSS) Contracts
Industrial Hardware Procurement
Manufacturing Equipment Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Lack of Detailed Item Specification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,750 to CONSOLIDATED INVENTORY SUPPLY, INC.. PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONSOLIDATED INVENTORY SUPPLY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,750.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-02-27.

What is the specific function and criticality of the 'PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18' being procured?

The provided data offers a partial description of the item as 'PULLER ROD: CURTISS-WRIGHT ELECTRO-MECHANICAL CORPORATION PN 12926B18 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)'. A puller rod is typically a component used in mechanical systems to facilitate the removal or installation of other parts, often in machinery or automotive applications. The specific part number suggests it is a proprietary or specialized component manufactured by Curtiss-Wright. Its criticality cannot be determined from the data alone but would depend on the system it supports. If it's a critical component for essential government operations or equipment maintenance, its timely procurement is vital. Without more detailed specifications, its exact function and criticality remain unclear, impacting a full assessment of the contract's necessity and value.

How does the $2.75 million award compare to historical spending on similar puller rods by the GSA or other agencies?

Comparing the $2.75 million award for puller rods to historical spending requires access to detailed historical contract data, including specific part numbers, quantities, and unit prices. The provided data only gives the total award amount and a partial description. Without this granular information, a direct historical comparison is not feasible. Agencies like GSA procure a vast array of industrial components, and the price of specialized parts can fluctuate based on market conditions, manufacturer pricing, and order volume. A comprehensive analysis would involve searching contract databases for identical or highly similar part numbers and evaluating the pricing trends over time to determine if this award represents a fair market value or an outlier.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source or limited-competition procurement for specialized industrial components like puller rods?

Procuring specialized industrial components like puller rods under limited or sole-source conditions presents several risks. Primarily, it can lead to higher costs for the government, as the lack of competition reduces the incentive for the supplier to offer competitive pricing. This can result in taxpayers paying more than necessary. Secondly, it can limit the government's options if the sole-source supplier experiences production issues, quality control problems, or goes out of business, potentially disrupting supply chains for critical equipment. Furthermore, it may stifle innovation and the development of alternative, potentially more cost-effective or technologically advanced solutions from other manufacturers. The government might also be locked into specific technologies or standards dictated by the sole supplier.

What is the track record of Consolidated Inventory Supply, Inc. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for industrial components?

Assessing the track record of Consolidated Inventory Supply, Inc. requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve reviewing contract databases for previous awards, their values, the types of goods or services provided, and any reported performance issues or successes. Information on on-time delivery, quality of goods, and adherence to contract terms would be crucial. For industrial components, their experience with similar items, their supply chain management capabilities, and their ability to meet technical specifications are key indicators. Without specific historical contract data for this company, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record. A review of their past performance ratings, if available, would offer valuable insights into their reliability as a government contractor.

How does the contract duration of 330 days align with the typical lifecycle or replacement frequency of the specified puller rods?

The contract duration of 330 days suggests a need for a supply of puller rods that will be consumed or utilized over approximately eleven months. The alignment of this duration with the typical lifecycle or replacement frequency of the specified puller rods is crucial for effective procurement planning. If these rods are high-wear items or critical components with a short lifespan, a 330-day contract might be appropriate for ensuring continuous availability. Conversely, if they are durable parts with a much longer lifecycle, this duration might indicate an overstocking strategy or a need for a smaller quantity spread over time. Understanding the operational context and the expected usage rate of these rods is essential to determine if the contract duration is optimized for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing › Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3479 NORTHBEND CIR, ALCOA, TN, 37701

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,750

Exercised Options: $2,750

Current Obligation: $2,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline