GSA awards $3,167 purchase order for pump blocks to MBA Office Supply, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,167 ($3.2K)

Contractor: MBA Office Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-06-02

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,167 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature of the purchase order. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the small dollar value and short duration. 4. Performance context is a simple supply of a specific part. 5. Sector positioning is within office supplies, a broad and mature market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3,167 for pump blocks is relatively small. Without specific benchmarks for this particular part, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, which is generally favorable for the government. The award to MBA Office Supply, Inc. suggests they are a known supplier within the General Services Administration's (GSA) network.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a purchase order under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was not competed. The data indicates it was a sole-source award, meaning only one vendor, MBA Office Supply, Inc., was solicited or considered. This lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to a higher price than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this purchase means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for these pump blocks.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring pump blocks for equipment maintenance will benefit from this supply. The service delivered is the provision of specific hardware components. The geographic impact is likely limited to the ordering agency's location within California. Workforce implications are minimal, relating to the logistics and fulfillment of the order.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the specific part's technical specifications and intended use.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial commitment.
Award to an established supplier suggests a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader office supplies and equipment sector. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940, 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing,' suggests a focus on manufactured goods. While the specific item is a pump block, its procurement through an office supply entity places it in this category. The market for such components is typically driven by industrial and maintenance needs, often supplied by specialized distributors or manufacturers.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. The impact on the small business ecosystem is negligible given the nature of this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's (GSA) internal procurement policies and procedures. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard administrative review. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the absence of a detailed justification for not competing. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or misconduct were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration Procurement
Office Supplies Procurement
Federal Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,167 to MBA OFFICE SUPPLY, INC.. BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

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 $3,167.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-06-02.

What is the specific function and criticality of the 'BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157'?

The provided data offers a partial description of the item as 'BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157'. This suggests it is a component for a pump assembly manufactured by Columbus Jack Corporation, identified by part number 915-157. Without further technical documentation or context from the procuring agency, its specific function and criticality cannot be definitively determined. It is likely a replacement part for existing equipment, potentially related to hydraulic systems or other fluid-handling machinery used by federal agencies. Its criticality would depend on the operational necessity of the equipment it serves; if it's for essential machinery, it would be highly critical.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and lists the contract type as 'sole-source'. This indicates that the General Services Administration (GSA) likely determined that only one source, MBA Office Supply, Inc., was capable of providing the specific pump block (Columbus Jack Corporation PN 915-157). Reasons for sole-sourcing can include unique technical requirements, proprietary parts, urgent needs where competition is impractical, or if the item is only available from a single distributor. Without a formal justification document (e.g., a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition - JOFOC), the precise reason remains speculative, but it implies a lack of readily available alternatives or a specific relationship with the awarded vendor for this item.

How does the price of $3,167 compare to market rates for similar pump assemblies or components?

Benchmarking the price of $3,167 for this specific pump block is challenging without more detailed specifications or access to market pricing data for the 'COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157'. The value is relatively low, suggesting it might be a single unit or a small quantity. If this is a standard industrial component, the price could be reasonable. However, sole-source awards often lack competitive pressure, which can inflate prices. To perform a true comparison, one would need to identify comparable pump blocks from other manufacturers or distributors, consider the quantity purchased, and factor in any associated shipping or handling costs. Given the limited information, a definitive assessment of whether $3,167 represents a fair market price is not possible.

What is the track record of MBA Office Supply, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts?

The provided data indicates that MBA Office Supply, Inc. was awarded this purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, types of goods/services provided, timeliness of delivery, and any reported issues or successes. A search of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to identify previous awards to this contractor. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience in serving government needs beyond this single transaction.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of component?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for this pump block is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through competition. Without competing vendors, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, reliance on a single supplier can create risks related to supply chain disruptions; if MBA Office Supply, Inc. faces issues, the government's access to this critical part could be jeopardized. There's also a reduced opportunity for innovation or discovering alternative, potentially more cost-effective or higher-quality solutions that might emerge from a competitive bidding process.

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: $3,167

Exercised Options: $3,167

Current Obligation: $3,167

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline