GSA awards $17,808 contract for hand-operated strapping and sealing kits to Independent Metal Strap Co Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,808 ($17.8K)

Contractor: Independent Metal Strap CO Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-26

Contract Duration: 25 days

Daily Burn Rate: $712/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/

Place of Performance

Location: DOVER, KENT County, DELAWARE, 19901

State: Delaware Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17,808 to INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC for work described as: STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/ Key points: 1. Contract focuses on packaging machinery for securing various items, indicating a need for basic material handling solutions. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework agreement. 3. The contract type is Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment, which can protect against inflation but may increase final costs. 4. The duration of the contract is 25 months, providing a stable supply for the specified period. 5. The contractor, Independent Metal Strap Co Inc., is the sole awardee for this specific BPA Call. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 333993 points to the Packaging Machinery Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17,808 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. The pricing is likely influenced by the existing BPA framework. Without more data on the specific items and quantities procured, a detailed value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature with economic price adjustment suggests an attempt to balance cost certainty with market fluctuations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition' via a BPA Call. While the initial BPA may have been competed broadly, this specific call indicates that multiple vendors could have potentially bid. The details of how many vendors were solicited or responded to this particular call are not provided, but the 'full-and-open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings. However, the specific impact on this small-value contract is likely minimal.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring basic strapping and sealing solutions for securing freight, bales, boxes, and bundles will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the availability of hand-operated tools and associated materials for reinforcing and securing shipments. The services delivered are primarily the provision of specific packaging machinery and related supplies. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as GSA contracts are typically available for use across federal agencies. The workforce implications are minimal, as this contract primarily involves the supply of equipment rather than significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause introduces potential for cost increases beyond initial estimates.
Limited detail on the specific performance metrics or quality control for the strapping kits.
Reliance on a BPA call may limit the scope for discovering new, more cost-effective solutions outside the existing agreement.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition framework, suggesting a structured procurement process.
The contract duration of 25 months provides supply chain stability for essential packaging materials.
GSA's involvement indicates adherence to federal procurement standards and potential for broader agency use.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Packaging Machinery Manufacturing sector, a niche within the broader industrial equipment market. The market for strapping and sealing equipment is characterized by a range of suppliers, from large manufacturers to specialized providers. Federal spending in this area typically supports logistics, supply chain management, and material handling operations across various agencies. Benchmarks for similar small-value procurements are difficult to establish without more specific product details, but GSA's role suggests a standardized approach to acquiring these essential supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is not applicable. However, Independent Metal Strap Co Inc. may itself be a small business, or the contract could offer subcontracting opportunities, though this is not specified. The absence of a small business set-aside means larger businesses could also compete.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Packaging and Material Handling Equipment Procurement
Logistics and Supply Chain Support Services

Risk Flags

Economic Price Adjustment Clause Risk
Limited Competition Visibility on BPA Call
Potential for Supply Chain Disruption
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17,808 to INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC. STRAPPING AND SEALING KIT, HAND OPERATED: FORAPPLYING STRAPPING, SECURE& REINFORCE BALES,BOXES, BUNDLES, CRATES,& SIMILAR ITEMS, FORSECURINGMATERIAL IN FREIGHT CARS OR TRUCKS.CAPABLE OF APPLYING 5/8IN WIDE BY 0.020 IN FLATSTEEL STRAPPING.P/N 6242P/

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDEPENDENT METAL STRAP CO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,808.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-26.

What is the track record of Independent Metal Strap Co Inc. with federal contracts?

Independent Metal Strap Co Inc. has a history of federal contracting, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). Their awards often relate to strapping, sealing, and related packaging materials. Analyzing their past performance, including on-time delivery, quality compliance, and any past disputes or contract modifications, would provide further insight into their reliability as a contractor. Without access to detailed performance reviews or a comprehensive history of their federal awards, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their track record beyond their specialization in this product category.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar procurements?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $17,808 contract is challenging due to its small value and the context of a BPA Call. The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP-EPA) clause means the final cost could vary. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the unit prices of the specific strapping kits procured against market rates or other federal contracts for identical or highly similar items. The fact that it's a BPA call suggests prices might be pre-negotiated, potentially offering some level of cost control, but also possibly limiting the discovery of lower market prices if the BPA terms are not aggressively competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause, which allows for price increases based on economic factors, potentially exceeding initial budget expectations. Another risk is supply chain disruption if Independent Metal Strap Co Inc. faces production or delivery issues, impacting the availability of essential packaging materials. Furthermore, the limited scope of a single BPA call might mean that the government isn't benefiting from the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the broader market. Finally, the lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess risks related to product quality or contractor performance.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition' approach for this type of procurement?

For a procurement of this nature and relatively small value ($17,808), 'Full and Open Competition' aims to ensure a fair process and potentially competitive pricing. However, its effectiveness is contingent on the actual number of bidders and the competitiveness of their proposals. If the BPA call resulted in only one or two bids, the competitive pressure might be limited. The 'Full and Open' designation is more impactful for larger, more complex contracts where significant cost savings can be realized through robust competition. For smaller buys, the administrative effort of a full competition might outweigh the marginal price benefits compared to other procurement methods.

What is the historical spending pattern for hand-operated strapping and sealing kits by the GSA?

Historical spending data for hand-operated strapping and sealing kits by the GSA would reveal trends in demand, average contract values, and the prevalence of specific contractors over time. Analyzing this pattern could indicate whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether GSA has historically relied on competitive bidding or specific contract vehicles like BPAs. Understanding past spending can help forecast future needs and identify opportunities for cost savings through strategic sourcing or by consolidating requirements. Without access to specific historical spending reports for this particular item category, a detailed analysis is not possible.

What are the implications of the 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' contract type?

The 'Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment' (FP-EPA) contract type offers a balance between cost certainty and flexibility. The 'fixed price' component provides a baseline cost, while the 'economic price adjustment' allows for modifications to the price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as material costs or labor indices. This is often used when there's a significant risk of price changes over the contract's duration. For the government, it mitigates the risk of underpaying if prices rise significantly, but it also means the final cost may be higher than the initial fixed price. For the contractor, it protects against losses due to unforeseen economic shifts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Packaging Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SERVICE AND TRADE EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 883 HORSEPOND RD, DOVER, DE, 19901

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,808

Exercised Options: $17,808

Current Obligation: $17,808

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA21A000Y

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline