GSA awards $4.96M for office supplies, highlighting potential for better pricing through competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,960 ($5.0K)

Contractor: MBA Office Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-18

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SACK,SHIPPINGTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA CLARA, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 95050

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,960 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: SACK,SHIPPINGTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL. Key points: 1. The contract value of $4.96 million for office supplies suggests a significant demand for these goods. 2. The award to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC. was made without full and open competition, raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. A short performance period of 45 days indicates a need for immediate or short-term supply fulfillment. 4. The purchase order type suggests a streamlined acquisition process, potentially for readily available items. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates this contract did not prioritize small business participation. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940 points to the manufacturing of office supplies, excluding paper.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $4.96 million purchase order for office supplies is challenging without more detailed product specifications and quantities. However, the lack of competition suggests that the government may not have secured the most favorable pricing. Compared to similar large-scale office supply procurements, uncompeted awards often result in higher per-unit costs. Further analysis of the specific items procured and their market prices would be necessary to definitively assess value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), and the data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. The specific details of the limited competition are not provided, but the 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a sole-source or limited-source justification was likely used. This limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially impacting price discovery and the government's ability to obtain the best possible pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition means taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these office supplies. Without a competitive bidding process, there is less pressure on the vendor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring office supplies will benefit from the timely delivery of goods. The services delivered include the provision of various office supplies, excluding paper products. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contract is registered. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract focuses on the supply of goods rather than services requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the justification for not competing the award.
Short performance period could indicate reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific vendor ensures a supply of necessary office materials.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Purchase order mechanism allows for efficient acquisition of goods.

Sector Analysis

The office supply market is a mature and competitive sector, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Federal agencies are significant consumers of office supplies, with spending often managed through large contracts and purchasing vehicles. The NAICS code 339940 specifically relates to the manufacturing of office supplies, indicating this procurement may be closer to the source of production. However, the 'NOT COMPETED' status for a contract of this size is unusual in such a competitive market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that larger suppliers or manufacturers were likely considered or awarded.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. The specific oversight mechanisms for uncompeted awards under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures are generally less rigorous than for full and open competition. Transparency is limited due to the lack of a competitive process, and accountability would rely on internal GSA controls and the vendor's adherence to the purchase order terms.

Related Government Programs

Office Supplies Procurement
GSA Schedules
Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,960 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC.. SACK,SHIPPINGTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MBA OFFICE 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 $4,960.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-18.

What specific office supplies were procured under this $4.96 million purchase order?

The provided data does not specify the exact office supplies procured under this $4.96 million purchase order. The NAICS code 339940 indicates 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing,' which encompasses a broad range of items such as pens, pencils, binders, staplers, tape, and other desk accessories. Without access to the detailed contract line item numbers (CLINs) or the attached document ('SACK,SHIPPINGTACHED DOCUMENT FOR DETAIL'), it is impossible to determine the precise mix of products. This lack of detail hinders a thorough value analysis and comparison to market rates for specific items.

What was the justification for awarding this contract without full and open competition?

The data explicitly states 'CT: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating that the contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). While SAP itself allows for streamlined competition, the 'NOT COMPETED' designation suggests a specific justification was used, likely falling under exceptions to full and open competition. Common justifications include sole-source awards due to unique capabilities, urgent and compelling needs, or specific statutory authorities. However, the exact reason for bypassing competition for this $4.96 million office supply purchase is not detailed in the provided summary data and would require reviewing the contract file or justification documentation.

How does the $4.96 million award compare to historical federal spending on office supplies?

Historical federal spending on office supplies is substantial, often running into hundreds of millions of dollars annually across various agencies and contract vehicles. This $4.96 million award represents a significant, albeit specific, procurement within that larger landscape. To contextualize it further, one would need to analyze GSA Schedule data, agency-specific spending reports, and trends in office supply procurement over time. The fact that this particular award was not competed suggests it might be an exception to typical, more competitive large-scale office supply contracts managed by GSA or other agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'not competed' award for office supplies?

The primary risk associated with a 'not competed' award, especially for a commodity like office supplies, is the potential for paying a higher price than could be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Without multiple vendors vying for the contract, the government loses the leverage to negotiate the best possible terms and pricing. Other risks include a narrower selection of products if the sole-source provider has limitations, and potentially less robust vendor performance monitoring if competition normally drives higher service standards. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder to justify the expenditure to taxpayers.

What is the significance of the short performance period (45 days)?

A performance period of only 45 days (from 2026-04-03 to 2026-05-18) for a $4.96 million purchase order suggests an immediate or short-term need for office supplies. This could be due to several factors: a sudden surge in demand, the expiration of a previous supply contract requiring interim coverage, a specific project with a defined timeline, or a strategic decision to procure in smaller, more frequent batches. It implies that this is not a long-term, strategic sourcing agreement but rather a tactical acquisition to meet an urgent requirement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing

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: 280 MARTIN AVE STE 5, SANTA CLARA, CA, 95050

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $4,960

Exercised Options: $4,960

Current Obligation: $4,960

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline