GSA awards $4,971 contract for 6 black legal-size filing cabinets with combination locks

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,972 ($5.0K)

Contractor: Alpha Safe and Vault, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-17

Contract Duration: 14 days

Daily Burn Rate: $355/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, 2-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, MULTIPLE LOCK, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,971.65 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC. for work described as: FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, 2-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, MULTIPLE LOCK, STYLE-1 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK Key points: 1. Contract awarded for basic office furniture, a common government need. 2. Limited competition likely due to specific lock requirements. 3. Risk of overpayment exists if pricing isn't benchmarked against similar secure storage. 4. Sector is Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $4,971.65 for six legal-size, 2-drawer filing cabinets with combination locks appears high. Without specific details on the 'Class-6' rating and 'Style-1' lock, it's difficult to benchmark precisely, but per-unit costs for standard office furniture are typically much lower.

Cost Per Unit: $828.61 per unit

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition environment. This method, while efficient for smaller purchases, can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for office supplies. The pricing appears potentially inflated, suggesting a risk of inefficient use of funds.

Public Impact

Government agencies rely on secure storage for sensitive documents. Availability of secure office furniture impacts operational efficiency. Procurement of such items is a routine but necessary government function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost for standard office furniture.
Limited competition may have reduced price discovery.
Specific lock mechanism details are not fully transparent.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded under efficient SAP procedures.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
BPA Call mechanism streamlines ordering.

Sector Analysis

The Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing sector covers a wide range of goods. For office furniture like filing cabinets, spending benchmarks vary significantly based on features such as security ratings, material, and locking mechanisms. This contract's price seems elevated for standard items.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were specifically solicited or awarded this contract. The procurement method (SAP) could allow for small business participation, but it's not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) manages this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight typically involves contract administration and performance monitoring to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost.
Lack of detailed specification for security features.
Potential for better pricing through wider competition.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,971.65 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC.. FILING CABINET, BLACK, CLASS-6, 2-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, MULTIPLE LOCK, STYLE-1 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 $4,971.65.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-17.

What is the specific security rating ('Class-6') and the justification for the 'Style-1 Key Change Combination Lock' that contributes to the high per-unit cost?

The 'Class-6' likely refers to a specific security standard for the cabinet's resistance to manipulation or forced entry, potentially related to fire or impact resistance. The 'Style-1 Key Change Combination Lock' suggests a specialized locking mechanism that allows for user-defined combinations, adding complexity and cost over standard key locks. These features are critical for protecting sensitive information but require detailed justification to validate the elevated price against market alternatives.

How does the limited competition under SAP impact the government's ability to secure the best possible price for these specialized filing cabinets?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for efficiency in purchasing goods and services below certain thresholds. While faster, SAP often involves fewer vendors and less rigorous price competition than full and open solicitations. This can limit the government's leverage in price negotiations, potentially leading to higher costs if the market for specialized cabinets is not actively explored through broader outreach.

What is the long-term value and effectiveness of investing in these specific high-security filing cabinets compared to standard options, considering the cost?

The long-term value hinges on the actual security needs for the documents stored. If the information requires a high level of protection against theft, unauthorized access, or environmental damage (fire/water), then the investment in Class-6 rated cabinets with combination locks is effective and valuable. However, if standard security suffices, the higher cost represents an inefficient allocation of resources, diminishing the overall effectiveness of the purchase.

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

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $4,972

Exercised Options: $4,972

Current Obligation: $4,972

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline