GSA awards $2.8M for handtools, with 2 bidders competing under simplified acquisition procedures

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,799 ($2.8K)

Contractor: MAY Tool Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $133/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATCH,WRIST

Place of Performance

Location: PARAMOUNT, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90723

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,798.8 to MAY TOOL INC for work described as: WATCH,WRIST Key points: 1. Value appears reasonable given the short duration and limited scope. 2. Competition was present but limited due to simplified acquisition. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the nature of the goods purchased. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply need. 5. Sector positioning is within general industrial supplies. 6. The contract is a purchase order for basic tools.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.8 million for a 21-day period suggests a moderate per-day expenditure. Without specific itemization or comparison to similar bulk tool purchases, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of simplified acquisition procedures often implies smaller, less complex procurements where pricing is generally competitive for standard items. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), which allows for streamlined purchasing of goods and services below certain thresholds. While the exact competition details are not fully elaborated, the presence of two bidders indicates some level of market engagement. SAP aims to balance efficiency with competition, but may not always yield the same breadth of offers as full and open competition for larger contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this purchase likely resulted in a fair price due to the limited number of bidders, but taxpayers may not have benefited from the widest possible price discovery compared to a larger, more extensively competed contract.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring basic hand tools will benefit from this contract. Essential tools for maintenance, repair, and operational activities will be supplied. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting various federal installations. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on goods, not services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could potentially lead to higher prices than a broader competition.
The short duration of the contract may indicate a one-time need, limiting long-term strategic sourcing benefits.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single vendor ensures a clear point of contact for fulfillment.
Use of SAP suggests an efficient procurement process for standard items.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial and hardware supply sector, specifically for hand tools. The market for such goods is mature and highly competitive, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal spending in this category typically supports agency operational needs, facilities maintenance, and logistical support. Benchmarks for similar procurements are difficult to establish without detailed item lists, but the overall market is characterized by a wide range of price points based on quality, brand, and volume.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award was made to MAY TOOL INC. Further investigation would be needed to determine if the prime contractor is a small business or if any small business subcontracting plan is in place.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight is typically managed through contract administration, performance monitoring, and adherence to the terms of the purchase order. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Supplies and Services
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts
Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP
Potential for price variance without detailed itemization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,798.8 to MAY TOOL INC. WATCH,WRIST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAY TOOL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,798.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-24.

What is the specific breakdown of tool types and quantities included in this $2.8 million purchase order?

The provided data does not include a detailed breakdown of the specific tool types and quantities within the $2.8 million purchase order. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332216, 'Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing,' indicates the general category of goods. To understand the precise value and utility, a line-item list of the tools, their specifications, and quantities would be necessary. This level of detail is often found in the contract award documents or associated files, which are not fully available in the abbreviated data.

How does the per-unit cost of these handtools compare to market rates or similar government contracts?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the provided data. The total award amount of $2.8 million covers a 21-day period, and the specific items procured are not itemized. To benchmark per-unit costs, one would need to identify the exact tools (e.g., specific types of hammers, wrenches, saws), their quantities, and their unit prices. Comparing these to commercial catalog prices, GSA Schedule pricing for similar items, or pricing from other government contracts for comparable tool sets would be required. Without this granular data, any assessment of per-unit cost competitiveness remains speculative.

What is the track record of MAY TOOL INC. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for handtools?

Information regarding the specific track record of MAY TOOL INC. in fulfilling government contracts, especially for handtools, is not detailed in the provided data. The data confirms they were awarded this specific purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to search federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past awards, contract performance history, any reported issues (e.g., past performance evaluations, disputes, terminations), and the volume and type of contracts they have previously held with the government. This would provide insight into their reliability and experience.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low, given it involves the purchase of standard handtools under a firm-fixed-price agreement. Potential risks include delivery delays, receipt of non-conforming goods, or price issues if competition was insufficient. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract type (firm-fixed-price limits cost risk) and the procurement process (competition, even if limited under SAP, aims for fair pricing). GSA's oversight and the vendor's performance history (if assessed) would further mitigate risks. The short duration also limits long-term exposure.

How does this $2.8 million expenditure compare to historical federal spending on handtools?

The provided data does not offer historical spending context for this specific $2.8 million award. To compare this expenditure to historical federal spending on handtools, one would need to analyze aggregate data from sources like the USASpending.gov or FPDS for previous fiscal years. This analysis would involve filtering for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 332216) or product service codes related to handtools, and potentially looking at spending by the awarding agency (GSA) or for similar types of procurements (e.g., purchase orders). Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to determine if $2.8 million represents an increase, decrease, or is consistent with past spending patterns.

What specific federal agencies or programs will utilize the handtools procured under this contract?

The data indicates the General Services Administration (GSA) as the awarding agency, specifically through its Federal Acquisition Service. GSA often procures common-use items like handtools to support its own operations or to make them available to other federal agencies through various acquisition channels. Therefore, the tools procured under this contract could be utilized by a wide range of federal entities that rely on GSA for their procurement needs, including civilian agencies and potentially some defense components for non-specialized equipment. The exact end-users or specific programs are not detailed in the provided summary.

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: 15145 ILLINOIS AVE, PARAMOUNT, CA, 90723

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Manufacturer of Goods, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,799

Exercised Options: $2,799

Current Obligation: $2,799

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline