GSA awards $10,417 contract for gray filing cabinets, highlighting competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,417 ($10.4K)

Contractor: Alpha Safe and Vault, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-29

Contract Duration: 26 days

Daily Burn Rate: $401/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6-S, 5-DRAWER, LETTER SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10,416.78 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC. for work described as: FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6-S, 5-DRAWER, LETTER SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call under Schedule, suggesting pre-negotiated terms and streamlined procurement. 2. The contract's duration of 26 days indicates a short-term need for specific equipment. 3. The use of Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) pricing suggests a focus on performance and cost control. 4. The small contract value may indicate a routine or minor procurement within a larger framework. 5. The specific product details (Class-6-S, 5-drawer, letter size) point to a standardized requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10,417 for filing cabinets appears reasonable for a specialized item like Class-6-S cabinets with specific security features. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule purchases for office furniture suggests this price falls within expected ranges for such equipment. The CPIF contract type, while less common for simple goods, may have been chosen to incentivize efficient delivery or specific quality standards, potentially offering good value if performance targets are met.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Schedule, indicating it was available to multiple vendors holding relevant GSA Schedule contracts. While the specific number of bidders isn't provided, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) suggests a competitive process suitable for acquisitions under the simplified threshold. This level of competition generally leads to fair market pricing and encourages vendors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this procurement, even under simplified procedures, likely resulted in a fair price for taxpayers, avoiding potential overpayment associated with sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure storage solutions for documents will benefit from the delivery of these Class-6-S filing cabinets. The contract supports the operational needs of federal offices, ensuring proper record management and security. The geographic impact is likely within the continental United States, wherever federal agencies have a need for such equipment. The contract may indirectly support manufacturing and logistics jobs within the fabricated metal product sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single vendor if the BPA call was not widely advertised.
CPIF contract type introduces complexity and requires careful monitoring of performance metrics to ensure taxpayer benefit.
Limited duration may necessitate future procurements, leading to administrative overhead.

Positive Signals

Procurement through GSA Schedule indicates adherence to established government purchasing standards.
Competitive bidding process under SAP suggests a focus on achieving good value.
Specific product classification (Class-6-S) ensures the acquired items meet defined security requirements.

Sector Analysis

The market for office furniture and storage solutions is mature and competitive. This contract falls within the Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing sector (NAICS 332999). GSA Schedule contracts are a primary channel for federal agencies to procure such goods, with significant annual spending across various categories of office equipment. This specific procurement for secure filing cabinets represents a small but essential component of overall federal office supply spending.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was competed under SAP and was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC., is not identified by size, the nature of the procurement suggests it may not have been a large-scale award. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements, but for a contract of this size and type, significant small business subcontracting is less likely unless mandated by the BPA call.

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 a GSA Schedule, the contract is subject to GSA's procurement regulations and oversight. The CPIF contract type necessitates monitoring of performance metrics and cost data to ensure the incentive fee is appropriately applied. Transparency is generally maintained through GSA's public contract databases.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Office Furniture Procurement
Secure Storage Solutions
Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if performance metrics in CPIF are not well-defined.
Limited contract duration may require follow-on procurements.
Lack of specific small business set-aside information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10,416.78 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC.. FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6-S, 5-DRAWER, LETTER SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,416.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-29.

What is the typical track record of ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC. with federal contracts?

Information regarding ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG or SAM.gov to review their past performance, contract awards, payment history, and any reported issues or commendations. This would help assess their reliability and experience in fulfilling government requirements, particularly for specialized items like secure filing cabinets. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their established performance level.

How does the per-unit cost of these filing cabinets compare to market rates for similar secure storage solutions?

The provided data does not include a per-unit cost breakdown, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total award amount is $10,417 for an unspecified quantity of 'FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6-S, 5-DRAWER, LETTER SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK'. To benchmark, one would need to determine the quantity purchased and then compare the resulting per-unit price against commercial catalogs and government price lists for comparable secure filing cabinets. Factors like Class-6-S rating, lock type, and brand significantly influence pricing, so direct comparisons must account for these specifications.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract for physical goods like filing cabinets?

The primary risks with a CPIF contract for physical goods like filing cabinets revolve around defining and measuring performance metrics accurately. For goods, 'performance' might relate to delivery timeliness, quality adherence, or meeting specific customization requirements. If these metrics are poorly defined or difficult to quantify, it can lead to disputes or the contractor earning incentives without substantial added value. Additionally, the government bears the risk of costs exceeding initial estimates, although the incentive fee structure aims to align contractor and government interests in cost control and efficient performance. Careful contract administration and clear performance standards are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar filing cabinets by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending data for similar filing cabinets by the GSA is not provided. To assess this, one would typically analyze GSA's procurement history for office furniture and secure storage solutions over several fiscal years. This would involve looking at contract awards for filing cabinets with comparable specifications (e.g., security ratings, drawer count, size) and identifying trends in contract values, quantities, and awarded vendors. Understanding historical spending helps establish a baseline for fair pricing and identify any significant deviations or shifts in procurement strategies for such items.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the overall value and competition for this contract?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) designation indicates that this contract was procured using streamlined processes designed for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000). This implies that while competition was sought, it may have involved fewer vendors or less formal solicitation methods compared to full and open competition for larger contracts. For a contract valued at $10,417, SAP is appropriate and generally ensures fair pricing through competition among eligible vendors. The value proposition is that it allows for quicker acquisition while still leveraging competitive dynamics to achieve reasonable prices for the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 47QSSC25Q1701

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1656 GELDING LN, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,417

Exercised Options: $10,417

Current Obligation: $10,417

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000M

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline