GSA awards $8,000 contract for specialized deburring tools, highlighting niche manufacturing needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,000 ($8.0K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-01-28

Contract Duration: 300 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STEM, DEBURRING TOOL, TUBE: USED WITH DEUTSCH PERMASWAGE TUBE FITTINGS TUBE DIAMETER ACCOMMODATED: 1 INCH WALL THICKNESS ACCOMMODATED: .02 TO .083 INCH (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION)

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,000.04 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: STEM, DEBURRING TOOL, TUBE: USED WITH DEUTSCH PERMASWAGE TUBE FITTINGS TUBE DIAMETER ACCOMMODATED: 1 INCH WALL THICKNESS ACCOMMODATED: .02 TO .083 INCH (PARTIAL DESCRIPTION) Key points: 1. The contract addresses a specific need for deburring tools compatible with Deutsch Permaswage tube fittings. 2. The awarded amount is relatively small, suggesting a focused procurement for a particular component. 3. The procurement method indicates a potential lack of broad market engagement for this specialized item. 4. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The duration of the contract extends over a typical period for such specialized equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8,000 is modest, making direct comparison to larger procurements difficult. Given the specialized nature of the deburring tool, assessing value for money requires understanding the unique technical specifications and the absence of readily available alternatives. Without more information on the specific performance requirements and the market for such niche tools, it is challenging to benchmark pricing effectively. However, the fixed-price nature of the award offers some predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it may have been procured through a sole-source or limited competition method. The absence of a competitive bidding process raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price and terms. Further investigation into the justification for not competing this requirement would be necessary to fully assess the implications.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from potential cost savings that a broader bidding process could have generated.

Public Impact

This contract benefits maintenance and repair operations within the federal government that utilize Deutsch Permaswage tube fittings. The service delivered is the provision of specialized deburring tools essential for preparing tubes for these fittings. The geographic impact is likely concentrated where these specific tube fittings are in use, potentially across various federal agencies. Workforce implications include ensuring technicians have the correct tools for specialized assembly and maintenance tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher prices than available in a competitive market.
Limited transparency into the sole-source justification could obscure potential inefficiencies.
The specialized nature of the tool might limit options for future replacements or upgrades.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, documented need for specialized equipment.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
The award ensures operational capability for specific maintenance tasks.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (NAICS 332216) sector. This sector encompasses a wide range of tools, from common hand tools to highly specialized industrial equipment. The contract value is very small relative to the overall market size for industrial tools, indicating a niche requirement. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized tooling can vary significantly based on material, precision, and application.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The small value of the contract also suggests it may not be a significant opportunity for large prime contractors to engage small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued under the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) of the General Services Administration (GSA), this contract is subject to GSA's internal procurement policies and oversight. The fixed-price nature of the award simplifies some aspects of oversight by limiting the scope of cost-reimbursement scrutiny. Transparency regarding the justification for the procurement method would be key to assessing accountability.

Related Government Programs

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Maintenance Equipment
Department of Defense (DoD) Tooling Procurement
NASA Spacecraft Assembly Tools
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules Program

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award justification required.
Potential for higher cost due to lack of competition.
Limited market research indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,000.04 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. STEM, DEBURRING TOOL, TUBE: USED WITH DEUTSCH PERMASWAGE TUBE FITTINGS TUBE DIAMETER ACCOMMODATED: 1 INCH WALL THICKNESS ACCOMMODATED: .02 TO .083 INCH (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 $8,000.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-01-28.

What is the specific technical justification for procuring this particular deburring tool, and why was it not competed?

The provided data indicates the tool is for use with Deutsch Permaswage tube fittings, accommodating specific tube diameters (1 inch) and wall thicknesses (.02 to .083 inches). The justification for not competing likely stems from the specialized nature of the tool, potentially requiring unique specifications or compatibility that only one manufacturer, Kaufman Company, Inc., can meet. Without access to the full contract file, the precise reason for sole-source or limited competition remains speculative. However, such justifications often cite unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where competition is not feasible or practical. Further review of the contract's justification for other than full and open competition (J&C) would be required for a definitive answer.

How does the $8,000 award amount compare to typical spending on specialized tooling by the GSA?

The $8,000 award for this specialized deburring tool is a very small amount in the context of overall federal procurement, particularly for industrial equipment. The General Services Administration (GSA) manages a vast array of contracts, including those for tools and maintenance equipment, often involving much larger sums. For instance, GSA Schedules can facilitate procurements ranging from thousands to millions of dollars for various industrial supplies. This particular award likely represents a micro-purchase or a small purchase under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating a highly specific, low-volume need rather than a broad category requirement. Benchmarking this against GSA's broader tooling procurements would show it as an outlier in terms of value, emphasizing its niche application.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring specialized tools through non-competitive means?

Procuring specialized tools through non-competitive means, such as sole-source or limited competition, carries several potential risks. Primarily, it can lead to higher costs for the government, as the absence of competition removes the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and quality, as the contractor may face less pressure to improve their product or service. Furthermore, non-competitive awards can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of due diligence, potentially undermining public trust. For specialized items, there's also the risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single supplier, limiting future options for procurement, maintenance, or upgrades.

What is the expected lifespan and performance of this deburring tool based on its contract duration?

The contract duration is approximately 300 days (from January 28, 2027, to April 3, 2026, though the dates appear reversed, assuming a start date before the end date). This relatively short duration for a tool purchase suggests it might be intended for a specific project, a limited-term need, or that the government plans to re-evaluate its tooling requirements periodically. The contract itself is for the purchase of the tool, not for services related to its use, so the duration primarily reflects the period over which the purchase order is active for delivery or fulfillment. The actual lifespan and performance of the deburring tool would depend on its material quality, manufacturing standards, and the intensity of its use, factors not explicitly detailed in the provided data but implied by its specialized application.

How does this procurement fit into the broader context of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) mission?

This procurement aligns with the Federal Acquisition Service's (FAS) mission to provide efficient and cost-effective acquisition solutions for the federal government. FAS manages a wide range of government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) and schedules, including those for industrial products and tools. While the $8,000 value is small, it represents FAS fulfilling its role in sourcing necessary equipment for agency operations. The use of a purchase order, potentially under a GSA Schedule or other established contract vehicle, demonstrates FAS's ability to support specific, even niche, agency requirements. The focus on providing tools that enable specific maintenance tasks, like those involving Deutsch Permaswage fittings, supports the operational readiness of federal agencies.

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: $8,000

Exercised Options: $8,000

Current Obligation: $8,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline