GSA Awards $3.7M Contract for Fire Extinguishers to Rite-Kem, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,685 ($3.7K)

Contractor: Rite-Kem, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-07

Contract Duration: 5 days

Daily Burn Rate: $737/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXTINGUISHER,FIRE

Place of Performance

Location: TUPELO, LEE County, MISSISSIPPI, 38801

State: Mississippi Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,684.8 to RITE-KEM, INC. for work described as: EXTINGUISHER,FIRE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Rite-Kem, Inc. for fire extinguishers. 2. Procurement utilized full and open competition. 3. The contract has a duration of 5 years. 4. The NAICS code indicates a link to detergent manufacturing, which may be tangential to fire extinguishers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount is $3,684.80. Without specific unit pricing or comparison data for similar fire extinguisher contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess value. The 'br' field shows 737, which might represent a benchmark or previous award, but its context is unclear.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally positive for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures availability of essential safety equipment (fire extinguishers) for federal agencies. Supports a competitive market for safety equipment suppliers. The contract duration of 5 years provides stability for supply chain management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential disconnect between NAICS code (detergent manufacturing) and product (fire extinguishers).
Lack of clear unit cost data for value assessment.
Ambiguity of the 'br' field (737).

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Contract duration provides long-term supply assurance.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under general supplies, specifically safety equipment. Benchmarks for fire extinguisher contracts can vary widely based on type, quantity, and service requirements. The award amount appears to be for a relatively small quantity or specific type of extinguisher.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is not explicitly detailed in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) and its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) are responsible for this procurement. Standard GSA oversight processes would apply, focusing on compliance with acquisition regulations and ensuring fair and reasonable pricing.

Related Government Programs

Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Unclear NAICS code relevance.
Lack of specific item details (type, quantity).
Missing unit cost data for robust value analysis.
Ambiguous 'br' field.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,684.8 to RITE-KEM, INC.. EXTINGUISHER,FIRE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RITE-KEM, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,684.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-07.

What is the specific type and quantity of fire extinguishers being procured, and how does the unit price compare to market averages for similar items?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of fire extinguishers. The award amount is $3,684.80. Without this detail, a direct comparison to market averages for unit price is not feasible. Further investigation into the BPA call details would be necessary to ascertain the specific items and their associated costs.

What is the rationale behind the NAICS code 325611 (Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing) for a fire extinguisher contract?

The selection of NAICS code 325611 for fire extinguishers appears unusual, as it relates to detergent manufacturing. It's possible that Rite-Kem, Inc. has diversified product lines, or this code was chosen due to a broader contract vehicle that includes cleaning supplies. Clarification from the contracting agency would be needed to understand this specific classification.

How does the 'br' value of 737 relate to the contract's pricing and potential value for money?

The 'br' field, listed as 737, is not clearly defined in standard federal procurement data. It could potentially represent a benchmark price, a previous award value, or a quantity. Without explicit definition from the agency, its impact on assessing the value for money of this $3,684.80 contract remains unclear and requires further context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing › Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FIRE/RESCUE/SAFETY; ENVIRO PROTECT

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: 703 WESTMORELAND DR, TUPELO, MS, 38801

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,685

Exercised Options: $3,685

Current Obligation: $3,685

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA24A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline