GSA awards $3.7M for polystyrene foam products, with 3 bidders competing for a firm-fixed-price purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,735 ($3.7K)

Contractor: F & M Micro Products Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-18

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $83/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WATCH,WRIST FOR DETAIL...........................

Place of Performance

Location: VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91406

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,735 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC for work described as: WATCH,WRIST FOR DETAIL........................... Key points: 1. The contract was competed under SAP, indicating a streamlined procurement process for smaller value awards. 2. A firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. 3. The award was made to F & M Micro Products Inc., a supplier in the polystyrene foam product manufacturing sector. 4. The short duration of the contract (45 days) implies a need for immediate or short-term supply. 5. The geographic location of the awardee in California may influence delivery times and logistics. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific product details and quantities. However, the total award amount of $3.7 million for a 45-day period suggests a significant volume of polystyrene foam products. The firm-fixed-price structure is standard for such procurements, but the ultimate value for money depends on the unit prices and quality of the goods delivered. Without comparable contract data for similar quantities and specifications, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which is typically used for acquisitions valued below the simplified acquisition threshold. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the specific details of the solicitation and the evaluation process are not provided, making it difficult to assess the breadth of competition or if all interested parties were aware of the opportunity.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition level suggests a reasonable effort to obtain competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers. However, the use of SAP might limit the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, potentially impacting the lowest achievable price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies requiring polystyrene foam products for packaging, insulation, or other operational needs. The services delivered involve the manufacturing and supply of specific polystyrene foam products. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, with potential delivery points determined by the ordering agency. Workforce implications are likely within the manufacturing sector at F & M Micro Products Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed product specifications makes it hard to assess if the best value was achieved.
The short contract duration might indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.
Limited information on the competition process under SAP makes it difficult to confirm maximum price discovery.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating multiple vendors had an opportunity to bid.
Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Award to a specific manufacturer suggests a focused supply chain solution.

Sector Analysis

The polystyrene foam product manufacturing sector is a subset of the broader plastics manufacturing industry. This sector supplies materials used in various applications, including packaging, construction (insulation), and consumer goods. Government procurement of such materials is common for operational needs. The market size for specialized foam products can vary significantly based on application and material properties. This contract fits within the general category of manufactured goods procurement for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. The awardee, F & M Micro Products Inc., would need to be assessed to determine its size status. If the awardee is a large business, the lack of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small businesses in this specific procurement were not prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the General Services Administration's (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are less publicly detailed than larger contract awards. Inspector General oversight would be applicable if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for industrial products
General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts
Department of Defense (DoD) procurement of packaging materials
Other agency requirements for manufactured goods

Risk Flags

Potential for price inflation due to contractor risk in FFP contract.
Limited transparency in SAP procurements may obscure full competitive landscape.
Short contract duration could indicate reactive rather than proactive planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,735 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. WATCH,WRIST FOR DETAIL...........................

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is F & M MICRO 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 $3,735.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific types of polystyrene foam products were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing' (NAICS 326140) but does not specify the exact types of products. These could range from expanded polystyrene (EPS) blocks and shapes used for packaging and insulation to extruded polystyrene (XPS) boards or other specialized foam items. Without detailed product specifications, it is impossible to determine the precise nature of the goods acquired. This lack of specificity hinders a thorough analysis of the contract's purpose and value.

How does the $3.7 million award amount compare to typical annual spending on polystyrene foam products by the GSA or other federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $3.7 million award to typical annual spending is difficult without access to historical spending data specifically for polystyrene foam products across federal agencies. The provided data shows this is a single purchase order with a short duration (45 days), suggesting it might be for a specific project, surge requirement, or a particular agency's immediate need rather than a standing annual requirement. Annual spending patterns would likely be spread across multiple contracts and vendors. To provide a benchmark, one would need to aggregate spending on NAICS code 326140 or similar product categories over several fiscal years.

What is the track record of F & M Micro Products Inc. as a federal contractor?

Information regarding the track record of F & M Micro Products Inc. as a federal contractor is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would need to review their contract history, including past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. A positive performance history would indicate reliability and quality, while a negative history might raise concerns about the current award's execution. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge the contractor's reliability.

Given the 45-day duration, does this contract represent a strategic procurement or an urgent requirement?

The short 45-day duration strongly suggests this contract is intended to fulfill an urgent requirement or a short-term need rather than a long-term strategic procurement. Urgent requirements often arise due to unforeseen circumstances, project timelines, or immediate operational demands. Strategic procurements typically involve longer durations, more extensive planning, and potentially broader competition to secure long-term supply agreements or develop specific capabilities. The use of SAP also aligns with quicker acquisition timelines for lower-value or time-sensitive needs.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for manufactured goods like polystyrene foam products?

The primary risk associated with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for manufactured goods is that the contractor, F & M Micro Products Inc., bears the full responsibility for any cost overruns during production or delivery. If their material costs increase unexpectedly, or if production issues arise, their profit margin will decrease, potentially impacting their willingness or ability to meet quality standards or delivery schedules. Conversely, if costs are lower than anticipated, the contractor benefits. For the government, the risk is that the initial price might be higher to account for the contractor's risk, and quality issues could arise if the contractor seeks to cut costs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FOOD PREPARATION/SERVING EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6917 WOODLEY AVE, VAN NUYS, CA, 91406

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,735

Exercised Options: $3,735

Current Obligation: $3,735

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline