GSA awards $3,778 contract for specialized low-lint cleaning cloths to Barnes Supply Co., Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,778 ($3.8K)

Contractor: Barnes Supply CO, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $252/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT:CID A-A-5932A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE I - FOR CLEAN ROOM USE-REQUIRING ULTRA-CLEAN , LOW LINT WIPERS. FIRST ARTICLE TESING IS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6 UNIT OF ISSUE: BX (TWO EACH FIVE POUND BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX

Place of Performance

Location: MARTINSVILLE, HENRY County, VIRGINIA, 24112

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3,778.2 to BARNES SUPPLY CO, INC for work described as: CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT:CID A-A-5932A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE I - FOR CLEAN ROOM USE-REQUIRING ULTRA-CLEAN , LOW LINT WIPERS. FIRST ARTICLE TESING IS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6 UNIT OF ISSUE: BX (TWO EACH FIVE POUND BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX Key points: 1. Contract focuses on high-specification cleaning materials for sensitive environments. 2. Limited contract duration suggests a tactical or short-term need. 3. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a smaller procurement value. 4. The specific product is a niche item, likely critical for specific cleanroom operations. 5. The contract is a BPA Call, suggesting it's part of a larger pre-negotiated agreement. 6. The contractor, Barnes Supply Co., Inc., is the sole awardee for this specific call.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3,778 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. The unit price is not explicitly detailed, but the overall value suggests a focus on a specific quantity of specialized cleaning cloths. Without more data on the exact specifications and market prices for comparable ultra-clean, low-lint wipers, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of SAP implies an expectation of fair and reasonable pricing for this procurement level.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves streamlined processes for procurements under the federal micro-purchase threshold. While the specific competition details are not provided, SAP awards can range from informal quotes to limited solicitations. The fact that it's a BPA Call suggests it was likely competed at the BPA level, with this specific call potentially being a directed award or a limited competition among BPA holders.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP generally means that while administrative costs are lower, the potential for achieving the absolute lowest price through broad market engagement is reduced. However, for smaller procurements, the efficiency gains can outweigh minor price differences.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government facilities requiring ultra-clean, low-lint wiping materials, such as cleanrooms or sensitive equipment maintenance areas. The service delivered is the provision of specialized cleaning cloths meeting stringent specifications (CID A-A-5932A, Type I). The geographic impact is centered in Virginia, where the contractor is located and likely where the supplies will be delivered or managed. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and distribution of the cleaning cloths.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition for this specific BPA call could potentially lead to higher prices than a fully open competition.
The short duration of the contract (15 days) might indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning, potentially leading to less favorable terms.
Lack of detailed per-unit cost information makes it difficult to benchmark value effectively.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA Call suggests that a broader competition may have occurred at the Blanket Purchase Agreement level, ensuring some level of market vetting.
The award to a specific contractor indicates a successful match for a niche product requirement.
The contract is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills sector, specifically focusing on specialized cleaning materials. The market for industrial and cleanroom wipers is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Spending in this category is generally driven by the needs of research, manufacturing, healthcare, and government facilities that require contamination control. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult due to its niche nature and small value, but it represents a small component of broader federal spending on maintenance and operational supplies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on its size and nature. The awardee, Barnes Supply Co., Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is negligible for this specific transaction.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call under SAP, oversight is likely integrated into GSA's existing contract management and audit processes. Transparency is moderate, with the award details available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies
Textile Mill Products Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Short Contract Duration
Niche Product Requirement
Potential for Price Volatility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3,778.2 to BARNES SUPPLY CO, INC. CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT:CID A-A-5932A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE I - FOR CLEAN ROOM USE-REQUIRING ULTRA-CLEAN , LOW LINT WIPERS. FIRST ARTICLE TESING IS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6 UNIT OF ISSUE: BX (TWO EACH FIVE POUND BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARNES SUPPLY 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 $3,778.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the track record of Barnes Supply Co., Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for cleaning supplies?

Barnes Supply Co., Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). While the provided data focuses on this specific $3,778 BPA Call for cleaning cloths, a broader analysis of their contract history would reveal the types and values of other awards. Examining past performance on similar contracts, including delivery timeliness, quality compliance, and pricing, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability. Information on their participation in other contract vehicles, such as larger IDIQs or other BPAs, could also indicate their capacity and experience in serving federal needs beyond this single, small-value award.

How does the unit price or overall value of this contract compare to similar specialized cleaning cloth procurements?

Directly comparing the value of this $3,778 contract for specialized cleaning cloths is challenging without more granular data on the quantity and specific technical characteristics of the wipers procured. The contract specifies 'CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT:CID A-A-5932A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE I - FOR CLEAN ROOM USE-REQUIRING ULTRA-CLEAN , LOW LINT WIPERS.' This indicates a high-specification product. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are used for purchases under $250,000, and while this contract is well below that threshold, SAP awards are expected to be fair and reasonable. A true benchmark would require comparing the price per box or per wiper against quotes from other vendors for identical or highly similar products meeting the same stringent cleanroom standards.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract are related to its limited scope and duration. Firstly, the limited competition under SAP, even if part of a broader BPA, might mean the government did not secure the absolute lowest price available in the market. Secondly, the short 15-day duration suggests a potentially urgent or unforeseen need, which can sometimes lead to less favorable pricing or terms compared to planned procurements. Thirdly, the reliance on a single contractor for this specific BPA call introduces supply chain risk; any disruption with Barnes Supply Co., Inc. could immediately impact the availability of these critical cleaning materials. Finally, the lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess potential risks related to product quality or delivery timeliness.

How effective is the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) in procuring specialized supplies like these cleaning cloths?

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) aims to provide efficient and cost-effective procurement solutions for the federal government, including specialized supplies. For this contract, FAS utilized a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). This approach is generally effective for smaller, recurring, or specialized needs, allowing for quicker acquisition than traditional large-scale contract vehicles. The effectiveness is demonstrated by the ability to quickly fulfill a specific requirement for low-lint wipers. However, the true measure of effectiveness would involve assessing whether the pricing was competitive, the delivery was timely, and the product met all stringent specifications, which requires more detailed performance data beyond the award notice.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar low-lint cleaning cloths by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending patterns for similar low-lint cleaning cloths by the General Services Administration (GSA) are not detailed in the provided data for this specific contract. However, GSA, through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), manages numerous contracts for maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies, which would include various types of cleaning materials. Spending on specialized items like ultra-clean, low-lint wipers is typically driven by the needs of specific agencies or facilities requiring contamination control, such as those involved in research, electronics manufacturing, or sensitive equipment maintenance. Analyzing GSA's broader MRO spending categories or specific schedules (like Schedule 75 for Office, Paper, and Cleaning Supplies) could reveal trends, but pinpointing historical spending solely on this niche product requires deeper data mining of procurement databases.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Textile Product Mills › All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills

Product/Service Code: HOUSEHOLD/COMMERC FURNISH/APPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2201 APPALACHIAN DR, MARTINSVILLE, VA, 24112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,778

Exercised Options: $3,778

Current Obligation: $3,778

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA23T000C

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline