GSA awards $28,366 for 87 screw thread insert tool kits, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,366 ($28.4K)

Contractor: Kaufman Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-08-06

Contract Duration: 120 days

Daily Burn Rate: $236/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOOL KIT, SCREW THREAD INSERT: SCREW THREAD INSERT TOOL KIT COMPONENT QUANTITY: 87 KIT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING: PART NAME QUANTITY 1/4-28 UNC SELF-LOCKING 6-POINT INSERTS 40 1/4-28 UNC NON-LOCKING 4-POINT INSERTS 40 STEP DRILL 1 TAP 1 DRIVE WRENCH 2 S

Place of Performance

Location: NORWOOD, NORFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02062

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $28,366.23 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. for work described as: TOOL KIT, SCREW THREAD INSERT: SCREW THREAD INSERT TOOL KIT COMPONENT QUANTITY: 87 KIT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING: PART NAME QUANTITY 1/4-28 UNC SELF-LOCKING 6-POINT INSERTS 40 1/4-28 UNC NON-LOCKING 4-POINT INSERTS 40 STEP DRILL 1 TAP 1 DRIVE WRENCH 2 S Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of the kits. 2. Competition was limited, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a firm-fixed-price contract and short duration. 4. Performance context is a standard supply of maintenance tools. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader handtool manufacturing industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $28,366 for 87 kits equates to approximately $326 per kit. This price seems reasonable for specialized tool kits that include components like self-locking and non-locking inserts, a step drill, a tap, and drive wrenches. Benchmarking against similar specialized tool kits is difficult without more specific market data, but the inclusion of multiple insert types and specialized tools suggests a value proposition beyond basic hardware.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $326 per kit.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. The data does not specify the number of bidders or the specific reasons for limited competition. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices as the government may not benefit from the full range of market offerings and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition means taxpayers may not have received the lowest possible price for these tool kits, as a broader bidding process was not utilized.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized screw thread repair and maintenance tools will benefit from this purchase. The kits provide essential components for maintaining threaded connections in various equipment. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal maintenance operations across different locations. Workforce implications include providing maintenance personnel with the necessary tools for efficient repairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a higher-than-optimal price.
Lack of detailed justification for limited competition raises transparency concerns.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term financial exposure.
Purchase order is a standard procurement method for supplies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (NAICS 332216) sector. This sector includes establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing handtools, such as pliers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers, as well as saw blades. The market for specialized tool kits is diverse, serving industrial, automotive, and maintenance applications. Comparable spending benchmarks for highly specialized tool kits are not readily available, but the overall handtool market is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The prime contractor, KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC., is not specified as a small business in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) of the General Services Administration (GSA). The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of accountability by fixing the total cost. Transparency is moderate, as the award details are available, but the justification for limited competition is not elaborated upon. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) supplies
Industrial tools and equipment procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed justification for limited competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $28,366.23 to KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.. TOOL KIT, SCREW THREAD INSERT: SCREW THREAD INSERT TOOL KIT COMPONENT QUANTITY: 87 KIT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING: PART NAME QUANTITY 1/4-28 UNC SELF-LOCKING 6-POINT INSERTS 40 1/4-28 UNC NON-LOCKING 4-POINT INSERTS 40 STEP DRILL 1 TAP 1 DRIVE WRENCH 2 S

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 $28,366.23.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-08-06.

What is the track record of KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC. with the GSA or other federal agencies?

Information regarding KAUFMAN COMPANY, INC.'s specific track record with the GSA or other federal agencies is not provided in the data. To assess their reliability and past performance, a review of their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes would be necessary. This would typically involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or agency-specific contract award archives. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their experience and effectiveness as a federal contractor.

How does the per-unit cost of these tool kits compare to commercially available, similar kits?

The per-unit cost for these tool kits is approximately $326. A direct comparison to commercially available, similar kits is challenging without precise specifications of the included components and their quality. However, specialized tool kits for thread repair, especially those including high-quality inserts and multiple sizes, can range significantly in price. Basic kits might be found for under $100, while professional-grade kits with a wider array of specialized tools and components could easily exceed $400-$500. The $326 price point suggests a mid-to-high range for such specialized equipment, warranting further investigation into the specific value offered by the included components.

What are the specific risks associated with the limited competition procurement method used here?

The primary risk associated with limited competition is the potential for inflated pricing. When fewer vendors are involved, the incentive to offer the most competitive price is reduced. This can lead to the government paying more than necessary for goods or services. Additionally, limited competition may restrict access to innovative solutions or higher-quality products that might have been offered by a wider pool of vendors. It can also raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for businesses that were not solicited. In this case, the lack of a robust competitive process means the government may not have achieved optimal value for taxpayer dollars.

What is the expected effectiveness of these tool kits in supporting federal maintenance operations?

These tool kits are expected to be effective in supporting federal maintenance operations by providing essential components for screw thread repair and maintenance. The inclusion of 87 kits suggests a need for these specialized tools across various maintenance activities within federal agencies. The specific components listed (inserts, drill, tap, wrench) are standard for thread repair tasks. Their effectiveness will depend on the quality of the components and the training of the personnel using them. Assuming standard quality, these kits should enable efficient and accurate repairs, contributing to the upkeep of federal equipment and infrastructure.

What has been the historical spending pattern for similar screw thread insert tool kits by the GSA?

Historical spending patterns for similar screw thread insert tool kits by the GSA are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze past GSA procurement records for relevant product codes (like PSC or NAICS) or keywords related to 'screw thread inserts,' 'tool kits,' and 'repair kits.' Understanding historical spending could reveal trends in pricing, volume, and the typical procurement methods used (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source). This analysis would help determine if the current award amount and procurement strategy are consistent with past practices or represent a deviation.

Are there any specific quality certifications or standards required for the components within these tool kits?

The provided data does not specify any required quality certifications or standards for the components within these tool kits. Typically, for federal procurements, especially for tools used in critical maintenance, adherence to industry standards (e.g., ANSI, ISO) or specific material certifications might be stipulated in the contract's statement of work or specifications. Without this information, it's assumed that the contractor is providing components that meet general commercial quality standards. Further review of the original solicitation or contract documents would be needed to confirm any specific quality requirements.

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: $28,366

Exercised Options: $28,366

Current Obligation: $28,366

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline