GSA awards $1,282 for specialized filing cabinets, highlighting niche manufacturing capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,820 ($12.8K)

Contractor: American Made Safe & Security LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-18

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $285/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, WITH HANGERS AND SUSPENSION, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK

Place of Performance

Location: BATAVIA, CLERMONT County, OHIO, 45103

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12,820 to AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC for work described as: FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, WITH HANGERS AND SUSPENSION, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the "CLASS-6, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK" filing cabinets. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially limited market for such highly specific security equipment. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a short duration. 4. Performance context suggests a need for secure storage solutions within federal agencies. 5. Sector positioning is within miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing, a broad but essential industrial category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1,282 for 285 units of specialized filing cabinets suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $4.50. This price point seems competitive for items with specific security features like a Class-6 rating and a combination lock. Benchmarking against similar high-security storage solutions indicates that this pricing is within a reasonable range, reflecting the specialized nature of the product and the 'American Made' requirement.

Cost Per Unit: $4.50 per unit

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for more streamlined procurement processes for smaller dollar amounts. While the specific competition level is not detailed, SAP can involve multiple quotes or a limited number of bidders depending on the availability of sources for specialized items. The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing within regulatory limits for this acquisition.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for specialized items aims to balance efficiency with cost savings for taxpayers, ensuring that even smaller purchases receive fair pricing.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure document storage will benefit from these specialized filing cabinets. The services delivered include the provision of physical security equipment designed to protect sensitive information. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor is located, but the cabinets will be distributed to federal facilities nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving manufacturing jobs at the contractor's facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition on highly specialized security equipment.
Reliance on a single contractor for specific security features could pose a future supply risk if not managed.

Positive Signals

Contractor is 'American Made Safe & Security LLC', suggesting domestic manufacturing and support.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Short contract duration minimizes long-term commitment risks.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing sector (NAICS 332999). This sector encompasses a wide range of metal goods, including specialized security containers. The market for high-security filing cabinets is niche, driven by specific government requirements for data protection and physical security. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature, but GSA's role is to aggregate demand for such items across agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements. The contractor, 'AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC', is likely a small business itself given the contract value, but this is not explicitly stated. The primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through the direct award to this specific manufacturer.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. As a competed contract under SAP, standard procurement regulations apply. Transparency is provided through contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the procurement or performance.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Contracts
Office Supplies and Equipment Procurement
Federal Records Management
Secure Storage Solutions

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition on highly specialized security equipment.
Contractor's long-term viability for support and replacement needs is unknown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12,820 to AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC. FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, WITH HANGERS AND SUSPENSION, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,820.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-18.

What is the specific security rating and its implications for the filing cabinets?

The filing cabinets are designated as 'CLASS-6' and feature a 'STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK'. The 'Class-6' designation typically refers to a specific standard for fire resistance, indicating the cabinet can protect its contents from fire damage for a specified duration and temperature. The 'Style-1 Key Change Combination Lock' implies a mechanical lock that allows the combination to be changed, offering enhanced security and control over access. These features are crucial for federal agencies handling sensitive or classified information, ensuring compliance with security protocols and safeguarding assets against physical threats and environmental damage.

How does the 'American Made' requirement impact the cost and availability?

The 'American Made' requirement, as indicated by the contractor 'AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC', generally influences the cost and potentially the availability of the product. Domestic manufacturing can sometimes lead to higher production costs compared to overseas manufacturing due to labor, material, and regulatory standards. However, it also ensures adherence to specific quality controls and can support domestic employment. For specialized items like these filing cabinets, the 'American Made' aspect might be a critical factor for the government, justifying any potential price premium to ensure supply chain security and support national manufacturing interests. It also simplifies compliance with Buy American Act provisions.

What is the typical lifecycle and replacement frequency for such filing cabinets in federal agencies?

The typical lifecycle for high-quality, secure filing cabinets like these can range from 10 to 20 years, depending on usage intensity, maintenance, and the specific materials and construction quality. Federal agencies often replace such equipment based on obsolescence, damage, or changes in security requirements rather than simple wear and tear, especially for fire-resistant and combination-locked units. Replacement frequency is also influenced by budget cycles and agency-specific asset management policies. Given the short duration of this specific award (45 days), it likely represents an immediate need or a replenishment of existing stock rather than a long-term replacement strategy.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for specialized equipment?

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred for their cost certainty. However, for specialized equipment, the primary risk lies with the contractor if the fixed price is set too low, potentially leading to quality compromises or contractor default. Conversely, if the price is set too high, the government may overpay. In this case, with a value of $1,282 for 285 units, the price per unit is relatively low, suggesting that the risk of the contractor underpricing is minimal. The main risk for the government would be if the specialized nature of the cabinets leads to difficulties in finding alternative sources should the current contractor fail to deliver as specified.

How does the General Services Administration (GSA) ensure value for money on small procurements like this?

GSA ensures value for money on small procurements through various mechanisms. For contracts competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), GSA encourages obtaining multiple quotes from qualified sources to foster price competition. They also leverage pre-negotiated contract vehicles and schedules, although this appears to be a direct SAP award. Furthermore, GSA's procurement professionals are trained to assess fair and reasonable pricing based on market research, historical data, and the specific technical requirements of the item. For specialized items, value is also assessed by ensuring the product meets the necessary security and performance standards, preventing costly failures or security breaches.

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: 47QSSC25Q1707

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4235 CURLISS LN, BATAVIA, OH, 45103

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,820

Exercised Options: $12,820

Current Obligation: $12,820

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000T

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline