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, though the item is a component part.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3,167 is relatively small. Without more comparable contract data for this specific part (Block Assembly, Pump), a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. The award to MBA Office Supply, Inc. suggests they are a known supplier for this item.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through a limited source justification. The absence of competition means the government did not explore multiple vendor options, which could have led to better pricing or terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have received the most advantageous pricing possible for this purchase.

Public Impact

The General Services Administration (GSA) benefits from acquiring necessary components for its operations. The service delivered is the provision of specific pump block parts. The geographic impact is limited to the delivery location within California. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a single supplier's fulfillment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than a competed award.
Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Small dollar value and short duration limit financial risk.
Award to a specific supplier suggests a known source for the item.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad category of office supplies and equipment, specifically a component part. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339940 covers Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing. Spending in this sector is generally stable, driven by the ongoing needs of federal agencies for operational equipment and supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false) and does not appear to be a small business set-aside. Therefore, there is no direct subcontracting implication for small businesses related to this specific award, nor is there an immediate positive impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the General Services Administration's internal procurement policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). As a purchase order under SAP, it likely has streamlined oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, and specific IG jurisdiction would depend on broader GSA audits.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Procurement
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Purchases
Office Supplies Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed justification for non-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' for the GSA?

The provided data describes the item as 'BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157 (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)'. Without further context from the GSA's internal documentation or the contract details, its specific function and criticality are not fully discernible. It is likely a component part for a larger piece of equipment or machinery used by the GSA, possibly related to maintenance, operations, or specialized equipment. The 'pump' designation suggests it could be involved in fluid transfer systems. Its criticality would depend on whether the equipment it supports is essential for core GSA functions or mission-critical operations.

Why was this purchase made on a sole-source or non-competed basis, given the availability of other suppliers for office-related items?

The contract was marked as 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP', strongly suggesting a sole-source or limited-source award. The justification for this could stem from several factors not detailed in the provided data. It might be a proprietary part available only from Columbus Jack Corporation or its authorized distributors, making competition impractical. Alternatively, there could have been an urgent need where only one known source could meet the timeline, or the item might be a low-value, incidental purchase where the administrative cost of competition outweighs the potential savings. Without the specific justification cited by the GSA, the exact reason remains speculative.

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

A direct price comparison for this specific 'BLOCK ASSEMBLY, PUMP: COLUMBUS JACK CORPORATION PN 915-157' is challenging without access to a broader market analysis or a catalog of similar pump components from various manufacturers. The total award amount is $3,167 for a quantity of 1, with a duration of 60 days (though this likely refers to the period of performance for delivery/acceptance, not a recurring service). If this is a single, specialized component, its price could vary significantly based on material, complexity, and manufacturer. Benchmarking would require identifying comparable pump assemblies or blocks from different suppliers and assessing their unit costs, which is not feasible with the current data.

What is the track record of MBA Office Supply, Inc. in supplying specialized parts like pump blocks to the federal government?

The provided data identifies MBA Office Supply, Inc. as the contractor and indicates the award is for a pump block. However, it does not offer details on the company's specific track record, past performance ratings, or experience with specialized parts versus general office supplies. While their NAICS code is 339940 (Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing), this doesn't preclude them from supplying other types of goods. A thorough assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any available CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data, which is not included here.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a purchase order for a component part on a non-competed basis?

The primary risk associated with awarding a purchase order on a non-competed basis is the potential for paying a higher price than could be achieved through competition. Without multiple bids, the government lacks assurance that it secured the best value. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or quality if suppliers are not incentivized to offer superior products or services. Furthermore, non-competed awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other potential suppliers, potentially impacting the broader market ecosystem. For low-value items, these risks are often mitigated by the small dollar amount and administrative ease, but they remain inherent to the non-competitive 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