GSA awards $10.3M purchase order for saw blades and handtools to Lawson Products, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,263 ($10.3K)

Contractor: Lawson Products, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-07-02

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $114/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PARTSMASTER-1636913

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75227

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10,262.87 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC. for work described as: PARTSMASTER-1636913 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price structure and 90-day duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award under simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting moderate price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the standard nature of the goods and the established vendor. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply need for tools and blades. 5. Sector positioning is within the industrial supplies category for the General Services Administration.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $10.3 million for saw blades and handtools is a significant amount for a 90-day purchase order. While the specific unit costs are not provided, the firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the price was determined at the outset. Benchmarking against similar contracts for industrial supplies would be necessary to fully assess value for money. However, the relatively short duration and the nature of the goods (standard tools and blades) suggest that the pricing is likely within a reasonable range for the quantity and type of items procured.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders compared to full and open competition. The data indicates two bids were received. While SAP aims for efficiency and speed for smaller procurements, the limited competition may not always yield the lowest possible price. The agency likely sought competitive quotes from qualified vendors within the established procurement thresholds.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not have benefited from the absolute lowest price achievable through a broader bidding process. However, the use of SAP can also lead to cost savings through reduced administrative burden.

Public Impact

Federal agencies utilizing the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service will benefit from the timely availability of essential saw blades and handtools. The services delivered include the procurement and supply of industrial tools necessary for maintenance, repair, and operational activities across various federal facilities. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the vendor is located, but the supplies will likely be distributed to federal installations nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on the supply of goods rather than direct labor services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases on future, larger-scale procurements due to limited competition on this award.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical supply category could pose a risk if supply chain issues arise.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to assess the reasonableness of profit margins.

Positive Signals

Award to a known entity, Lawson Products, Inc., suggests a degree of reliability and established performance.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures can lead to faster delivery of needed supplies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial and hardware supplies sector, specifically related to tools and cutting implements. The market for these goods is broad, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal agencies, particularly through GSA, are significant buyers of such items to support their operational needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other GSA purchase orders or contracts for similar tool and blade categories, which are typically awarded through competitive processes, often utilizing SAP for smaller requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the vendor, Lawson Products, Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as this award does not appear to directly support small business participation or subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified goods at the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected in the procurement process.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Industrial Supplies Procurement
Federal Purchase Orders
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Price Escalation in Future Orders
Short Contract Duration Requires Follow-on Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10,262.87 to LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.. PARTSMASTER-1636913

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,262.87.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-07-02.

What is the historical spending pattern of the General Services Administration (GSA) on saw blades and handtools?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the GSA on saw blades and handtools requires access to detailed procurement databases beyond the provided data. Typically, GSA procures such items through various mechanisms, including GSA Schedules, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), and individual purchase orders, often under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for smaller quantities or specific needs. Historical data would likely show consistent, albeit fluctuating, demand driven by agency requirements for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO). Spending levels can be influenced by factors such as federal budget allocations, agency modernization efforts, and the overall economic climate. Without specific historical data for this category, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume GSA manages a substantial portfolio of contracts for industrial supplies to support its vast customer base.

How does the price of this award compare to similar GSA contracts for industrial tools?

A direct price comparison for this $10.3 million award is challenging without access to the specific line-item details and unit pricing for the saw blades and handtools. The provided data indicates a firm-fixed-price purchase order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) to Lawson Products, Inc. for a 90-day period. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the unit prices of comparable items (e.g., specific types of saw blades, wrenches, pliers) procured by GSA through similar contract vehicles (like other SAP awards or GSA Schedule contracts) around the same time. Factors such as quantity, quality specifications, delivery terms, and the specific vendor's pricing structure significantly influence cost. Given the limited competition indicated (two bids), the price might not represent the absolute lowest market rate, but it is expected to be competitive within the SAP framework.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract award are relatively low, given the nature of the goods and the procurement method. One potential risk is related to price reasonableness; since it was competed under SAP with only two bids, the government may not have achieved the most competitive pricing possible compared to a full and open competition. Another risk is supply chain disruption, although this is a general risk for most goods procurement. If Lawson Products, Inc. experiences issues fulfilling the order, it could impact the availability of essential tools for federal agencies. Finally, the short duration (90 days) implies a need for follow-on procurements, introducing administrative effort and potential for price changes in subsequent awards. However, the use of a firm-fixed-price contract mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns on this specific order.

What is the track record of Lawson Products, Inc. as a federal contractor?

Lawson Products, Inc. has a history of serving the federal government, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). While the provided data is for a single purchase order, a broader review of federal procurement databases would reveal their broader engagement. Companies like Lawson Products typically supply a wide range of industrial, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products. Their track record as a federal contractor would generally be assessed based on factors such as on-time delivery, product quality, responsiveness to orders, and adherence to contract terms across multiple awards. A firm like Lawson Products, specializing in industrial supplies, is likely to have established processes for handling government orders efficiently. However, specific performance metrics for past contracts would need to be consulted for a comprehensive evaluation.

How does the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) impact value for money in this scenario?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for the government when procuring goods with well-defined specifications, such as saw blades and handtools. It provides cost certainty, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This means the government knows the exact price it will pay, simplifying budgeting and financial management. For value for money, FFP encourages the contractor to be efficient and control costs to maximize their profit margin. In this specific case, with a $10.3 million award over 90 days, the FFP structure ensures that the government pays the agreed-upon price regardless of fluctuations in Lawson Products, Inc.'s internal costs. The value is then primarily determined by the competitiveness of the initial price negotiated or awarded through the limited competition process.

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: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4695 CLOVER HAVEN ST, DALLAS, TX, 75227

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,263

Exercised Options: $10,263

Current Obligation: $10,263

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline