GSA awards $4,233 for specialized wrenches and spanners, citing a non-competitive purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,233 ($4.2K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 20 days

Daily Burn Rate: $212/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WRENCH, SPANNER: IAW NAVAL SHIP SYSTEMS COMMAND DRAWING NUMBER 4687720 REVISION A 07/22/1975. ELECTRIC BOAT CORPORATION PN 2640-682-06 ITEM 3 (EXCEPTIONS APPLY) (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,233.11 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: WRENCH, SPANNER: IAW NAVAL SHIP SYSTEMS COMMAND DRAWING NUMBER 4687720 REVISION A 07/22/1975. ELECTRIC BOAT CORPORATION PN 2640-682-06 ITEM 3 (EXCEPTIONS APPLY) (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION) Key points: 1. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a need for specific, low-volume tools. 2. The award was made via a purchase order, indicating a streamlined procurement process for a low-value item. 3. The specific drawing number and revision suggest a need for precise, potentially legacy, tool specifications. 4. The contractor, Kaufman Company, Inc., is a supplier within the handtool manufacturing sector. 5. The short duration of the contract (20 days) points to an immediate or short-term requirement. 6. The absence of competition raises questions about potential cost savings through a more open bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4,233.11 is modest. Without specific details on the exact tools and quantities, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, for specialized tools, this price point is not inherently unreasonable, but the lack of competition prevents a thorough value assessment. The firm fixed-price contract type mitigates some risk for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests that either only one source was available, or the procurement was conducted under specific exceptions that did not require full and open competition. The lack of multiple bidders means price discovery was not optimized.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. A sole-source award limits the government's ability to leverage market forces for cost savings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely personnel within the Naval Ship Systems Command or related entities requiring these specific tools. The services delivered are the provision of specialized wrenches and spanners conforming to a specific naval drawing. The geographic impact is likely localized to the facility where these tools are utilized, potentially a naval shipyard. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service contract involving labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Reliance on a sole-source award may indicate potential supply chain vulnerabilities if the contractor faces issues.
The specific drawing number suggests a need for potentially outdated or specialized equipment, which could be costly to source.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is involved, suggesting adherence to established procurement channels.
The contract is for a relatively small dollar amount, minimizing significant financial risk.

Sector Analysis

The handtool manufacturing sector (NAICS 332216) encompasses a wide range of products, from basic hand tools to highly specialized instruments. This contract falls into the specialized category, likely serving a niche requirement within the defense industrial base. The market for such specialized tools can be limited, sometimes leading to sole-source or limited competition awards, especially when specific technical drawings or legacy requirements are involved. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult without knowing the exact tool specifications and quantities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. Therefore, it does not appear to directly benefit small businesses through set-aside provisions. Subcontracting implications are unknown, but given the small value and specific nature, it is unlikely to involve significant subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), which generally has robust oversight mechanisms. However, as a purchase order for a non-competed item, the oversight would focus on ensuring compliance with procurement regulations for sole-source awards and verifying the necessity and technical compliance of the tools. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Naval Ship Systems Command Procurement
General Services Administration Federal Acquisition Service
Handtool and Hardware Manufacturing
Defense Industrial Base Supply Chain

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of detailed specification in award data
Potential for price overpayment due to lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,233.11 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. WRENCH, SPANNER: IAW NAVAL SHIP SYSTEMS COMMAND DRAWING NUMBER 4687720 REVISION A 07/22/1975. ELECTRIC BOAT CORPORATION PN 2640-682-06 ITEM 3 (EXCEPTIONS APPLY) (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

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 $4,233.11.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-23.

What specific types of wrenches and spanners are being procured, and what is their intended use within the Naval Ship Systems Command?

The data indicates the procurement is for 'WRENCH, SPANNER: IAW NAVAL SHIP SYSTEMS COMMAND DRAWING NUMBER 4687720 REVISION A 07/22/1975'. This suggests highly specific tools, likely for maintenance or repair of naval vessels or equipment, adhering to a precise, potentially legacy, design. The exact function would be tied to the specific components or systems detailed in drawing 4687720. Without access to this drawing, the precise application remains unknown, but it implies a need for tools that meet stringent military specifications or are compatible with existing, possibly older, naval hardware.

Why was this contract not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

The contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This designation implies that the procurement either fell below the threshold for mandatory SAP competition, or it was awarded under specific exceptions to full and open competition. Common reasons for not competing under SAP include a sole-source justification (e.g., only one responsible source exists, or a unique capability is required), an urgent need, or if the procurement was conducted through other established contract vehicles or authorities that do not mandate SAP competition. Given the specific drawing requirement, a sole-source justification based on unique technical specifications or compatibility with existing systems is a plausible reason.

What is the track record of Kaufman Company, Inc. in supplying similar specialized tools to the government?

The provided data indicates Kaufman Company, Inc. as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to examine historical contract awards to this company, particularly for similar items (wrenches, spanners) and within the defense or federal sector. Information on past performance, delivery timeliness, quality of goods, and any past disputes or contract terminations would be crucial. Without access to a broader contract database or performance reviews, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record beyond their role as a supplier in this specific instance.

How does the price of $4,233.11 for these specialized tools compare to market rates for similar items?

A direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the exact specifications, materials, and quantities of the wrenches and spanners procured under drawing 4687720. However, the total value of $4,233.11 for what appears to be a small quantity of specialized tools is not inherently excessive. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable tools from other manufacturers or distributors that meet similar military-grade specifications or are designed for specialized industrial applications. The lack of competition means this price cannot be validated against market alternatives through a bidding process.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis?

The primary risk of a non-competitive award is the potential for paying a higher price than could be achieved through competition. Without multiple bids, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, there's a risk of reduced innovation and limited market access for other potential suppliers. If the sole-source justification is weak or based on outdated information, it could indicate inefficiencies in procurement planning or a lack of awareness of available market solutions. This can also lead to a perception of unfairness or lack of transparency in government contracting.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar tools (wrenches, spanners) by the Naval Ship Systems Command or GSA?

Analyzing historical spending for similar tools would require querying contract databases for procurements by the Naval Ship Systems Command (NAVSEA) or GSA related to hand tools, specifically wrenches and spanners, potentially filtered by military specifications or drawing numbers. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of competition used, and the contractors frequently awarded these types of items. Understanding this pattern could indicate whether this $4,233.11 award is typical, unusually high or low, and whether non-competitive awards are common for such items within NAVSEA or GSA.

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: $4,233

Exercised Options: $4,233

Current Obligation: $4,233

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline