GSA Awards $147K for Burlap Bags to Star Poly Bag, Inc. Under Sole-Source Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,080 ($3.1K)

Contractor: Star Poly BAG, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $147/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BAG,BURLAP:DIC A-A-881AL-40'' W-26-1/2''

Place of Performance

Location: BROOKLYN, KINGS County, NEW YORK, 11207

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,080 to STAR POLY BAG, INC. for work described as: BAG,BURLAP:DIC A-A-881AL-40'' W-26-1/2'' Key points: 1. The contract is for burlap bags with specific dimensions, valued at $147,000. 2. The sole awardee is Star Poly Bag, Inc., indicating a lack of competition. 3. The procurement method is 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is Instrument Manufacturing, though the item itself is a simple commodity.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $147,000 for burlap bags appears high for a sole-source award. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar bulk material purchases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a sole-source justification was used. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competition is avoided.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these burlap bags due to the absence of competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for basic burlap bags due to a lack of competition. The specific use of these bags within the 'Instrument Manufacturing' sector is unclear, raising questions about necessity. The short duration of the contract (21 days) suggests an urgent or specific need, but the sole-source approach remains a concern.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
Unclear justification for sole-source procurement under SAP.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single vendor, potentially streamlining delivery.
Fixed price contract provides cost certainty once awarded.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under NAICS code 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing), but the item purchased is a simple commodity (burlap bags). This suggests the bags are likely for packaging or material handling within this sector, not a manufactured instrument itself. Benchmarks for commodity packaging are typically much lower than the awarded value.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or had the opportunity to bid.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a sole-source award, especially under SAP, warrants scrutiny. Oversight should ensure that the justification for avoiding competition was valid and that the price paid is reasonable.

Related Government Programs

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Unclear justification for procurement method
High value for a commodity item

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,080 to STAR POLY BAG, INC.. BAG,BURLAP:DIC A-A-881AL-40'' W-26-1/2''

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STAR POLY BAG, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,080.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, particularly for a commodity item like burlap bags?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical, especially for a seemingly simple commodity. Agencies typically use sole-source procurement when only one vendor can meet specific, urgent requirements, or possesses unique capabilities. Without this justification, the award raises concerns about fair competition and potential overspending, suggesting a need for review by the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service.

How does the $147,000 price point for burlap bags compare to market rates, and what is the risk of overpayment?

The $147,000 price for burlap bags is a significant amount, increasing the risk of overpayment when awarded sole-source. Market rates for bulk burlap bags vary based on size, quantity, and quality, but this value suggests either an extremely large quantity, specialized material, or inflated pricing. Without competitive bids, verifying the fairness of this price is challenging, necessitating a thorough review of the vendor's pricing structure.

What is the specific end-use of these burlap bags within the 'Instrument Manufacturing' sector, and does it justify the procurement method?

The specific end-use of these burlap bags within the Instrument Manufacturing sector (NAICS 334515) is not detailed, making it difficult to assess if the sole-source award is justified. If the bags are for standard packaging or material handling, a competitive process would be expected. However, if they are specialized for protecting sensitive instruments during manufacturing or transport, a unique requirement might exist, though this should still be rigorously documented and justified.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals

Product/Service Code: OFFICE SUPPLIES AND DEVICES

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: 200 LIBERTY AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11207

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,080

Exercised Options: $3,080

Current Obligation: $3,080

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline