GSA awards $8.4M for office supplies, with 3 STAR PAPERS LTD securing a sole-source purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,378 ($8.4K)

Contractor: 3 Star Papers Ltd

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $838/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PAPER,PARCHMENT

Place of Performance

Location: NEWARK, ESSEX County, NEW JERSEY, 07114

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8,377.5 to 3 STAR PAPERS LTD for work described as: PAPER,PARCHMENT Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to sole-source award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a lack of market engagement for this specific requirement. 3. Risk indicators are elevated due to the absence of competitive bidding. 4. Performance context is limited to a short 10-day duration. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader office supplies manufacturing industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $8.4 million for office supplies is substantial. However, without a competitive process, it is challenging to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The award to a single vendor, 3 STAR PAPERS LTD, raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price and value. The benchmark of $838 per unit, while provided, lacks context without knowing the specific items purchased and their quantities.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct price discovery through competition. This approach bypasses the typical benefits of a competitive environment, such as innovation and cost reduction, which are usually driven by multiple vendors vying for the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the lack of a bidding process. This sole-source award limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve cost savings.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring office supplies will benefit from the goods provided. The services delivered are the provision of office supplies, specifically related to paper and parchment. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as GSA serves federal agencies across the US. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated prices.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability.
Dependence on a single supplier could create supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Ensures a direct supply of necessary office materials.
Potentially faster fulfillment due to a direct award.

Sector Analysis

The office supplies manufacturing sector is a mature industry with established players. Federal spending in this area is consistent, driven by the ongoing needs of government agencies. This contract, focusing on paper and parchment, falls under the broader category of office consumables. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more detailed product specifications, but GSA's role suggests a significant volume of goods procured.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award to a single entity, 3 STAR PAPERS LTD, does not appear to have a specific focus on engaging the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small businesses are part of the supply chain for 3 STAR PAPERS LTD.

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). Accountability is maintained through contract terms and performance monitoring. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Office Supplies Procurement
Government Purchase Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification
Lack of competitive bidding impacting price discovery
Potential for overpayment due to absence of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8,377.5 to 3 STAR PAPERS LTD. PAPER,PARCHMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 3 STAR PAPERS LTD.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8,377.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-17.

What specific types of paper and parchment are included in this $8.4 million award?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' with a description of 'PAPER,PARCHMENT'. However, it does not specify the exact types, weights, sizes, or quantities of paper and parchment included in the $8.4 million award. This level of detail is crucial for a thorough value assessment. Without knowing if it includes standard copy paper, specialty archival parchment, or other specific grades, it's impossible to compare pricing effectively or understand the precise needs being met. The 'per-unit cost benchmark' of $838 is also uninformative without knowing what constitutes a 'unit' in this context.

What is the track record of 3 STAR PAPERS LTD with the federal government?

The provided data identifies '3 STAR PAPERS LTD' as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of goods, and adherence to contract terms. A review of contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal previous awards, contract values, and any performance evaluations or disputes. A history of successful, timely, and high-quality deliveries would indicate reliability, while a pattern of issues could raise concerns about the current award's execution.

How does the $8.4 million value compare to historical federal spending on similar office supplies?

The $8.4 million figure represents the total value of this specific purchase order. To assess its comparability to historical spending, one would need to analyze aggregate federal spending data for 'Office Supplies (except Paper) Manufacturing' or more granular categories like 'paper' and 'parchment' over previous fiscal years. This analysis should consider the number of contracts awarded, the average contract value, and the number of vendors involved. A significant increase or decrease in spending for this category, especially when awarded sole-source, warrants further investigation into the underlying reasons, such as changes in agency needs, market prices, or procurement strategies.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

A sole-source award of $8.4 million carries several risks. Primarily, the government may not be obtaining the best value for taxpayer dollars, as competition is a key driver of lower prices and better terms. There's also a risk of complacency from the awarded contractor, potentially leading to reduced service quality or innovation over time. Furthermore, sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other capable vendors, including small businesses, to enter the federal market. Transparency is reduced, making it harder to scrutinize the fairness and efficiency of the procurement process. Finally, reliance on a single supplier can create vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

What oversight mechanisms are in place for this purchase order, given its sole-source nature?

Oversight for this purchase order, issued by the General Services Administration (GSA), would primarily involve GSA's internal contract management and administration processes. This includes ensuring compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), monitoring contractor performance against the terms of the purchase order, and verifying proper invoicing and payment. Given the sole-source nature, there might be heightened scrutiny on the justification for not competing the award. The GSA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have oversight jurisdiction to investigate any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this procurement.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This typically implies a sole-source justification was made, often citing reasons such as urgency, unique capabilities of a single source, or when only one responsible source is available. For a contract of this value ($8.4 million) for standard office supplies, a sole-source justification would require a strong rationale, such as a specific, urgent need for a unique type of paper or parchment that only 3 STAR PAPERS LTD can provide, or a situation where competition was genuinely impossible or impractical. Without the specific justification document, the rationale remains unclear.

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: 249 ASTOR ST, NEWARK, NJ, 07114

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,378

Exercised Options: $8,378

Current Obligation: $8,378

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline