GSA awards $5,176 contract for gray filing cabinets, highlighting potential for competitive sourcing in office furniture

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,177 ($5.2K)

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: $370/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

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

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,176.82 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC. for work described as: FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6, 2-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, MULTIPLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK, 1-LOCK PER DRAWER Key points: 1. Contract value is modest, suggesting a focus on specific, potentially niche, office equipment needs. 2. The short duration of the award (14 days) indicates an immediate or short-term requirement. 3. The product description specifies 'Class-6' security, implying a need for secure document storage. 4. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), typical for smaller dollar value procurements. 5. The contractor, ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC., is a specialized provider in security and vault solutions. 6. The contract falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5,176.82 for six legal-size, two-drawer filing cabinets appears reasonable given the specifications, which include a Class-6 security rating and combination locks. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for secure storage solutions suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $863 per unit, which is within the expected range for high-security, specialized filing cabinets.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for procurements under the simplified threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, the use of SAP generally encourages multiple offers. This competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair market price for the cabinets.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers benefited from a price discovery process that likely yielded value for money on this specific requirement.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure storage for sensitive documents will benefit from the availability of these specialized filing cabinets. The services delivered include the provision of physical security equipment essential for maintaining records integrity. The contract is being fulfilled within Virginia, supporting local or regional economic activity. The acquisition supports the operational needs of federal agencies by ensuring proper storage and security of physical records.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited scope of the award may not address broader agency furniture needs.
Reliance on a single awardee for this specific item could limit future options if needs expand.

Positive Signals

Successful competition under SAP indicates effective utilization of procurement procedures for smaller buys.
The award to a specialized vendor ensures the specific security requirements are met.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

The market for office furniture and equipment is substantial within the federal sector. This contract falls within the fabricated metal products manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on security-related storage solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks for office furniture and equipment vary widely, but specialized security cabinets typically command a premium due to their construction and locking mechanisms. The General Services Administration (GSA) plays a significant role in procuring such items for various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting plans. However, the contractor, ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC., may be a small business itself. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem, but the modest value suggests it might not be a primary vehicle for large-scale subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. As a firm fixed-price award under SAP, the primary accountability lies in the delivery of goods conforming to the specified requirements. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. There is no indication of specific Inspector General involvement at this stage, typical for low-value procurements.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for delivery delays given the short performance period.
Risk of non-conformance with specific security and lock requirements.
Limited competition if the vendor pool for specialized security cabinets is small.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,176.82 to ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC.. FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6, 2-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, MULTIPLE LOCK, STYLE-2 KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK, 1-LOCK PER DRAWER

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 $5,176.82.

What is the period of performance?

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

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

A review of federal procurement data indicates that ALPHA SAFE AND VAULT, INC. has been awarded multiple contracts, primarily for security-related equipment and services. These awards span various agencies and contract types, including GSA schedules and other competitive procurements. The company appears to specialize in safes, vaults, and secure storage solutions. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are not detailed here, the consistent award of contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history and capability to meet government requirements. Further due diligence would involve examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues or disputes.

How does the unit price of these filing cabinets compare to similar government contracts?

The approximate unit price of $863 per cabinet is on the higher end for standard filing cabinets but appears reasonable for specialized, Class-6 security filing cabinets with combination locks. Government contracts for basic metal filing cabinets often range from $100 to $300. However, when security features like fire resistance, high-security locks (e.g., combination locks), and specific classifications (like Class-6) are required, prices can escalate significantly. Benchmarking against contracts for secure evidence lockers or high-security document storage units suggests that this price point is competitive for the specified features and security level.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its small value and short duration. Potential risks include delivery delays, although the 14-day period minimizes this concern. Another risk could be non-conformance with the 'Class-6' security specification or lock functionality, which could necessitate returns or replacements. Given the specialized nature of the product, there's also a minor risk related to the long-term availability of replacement parts or maintenance, though this is less critical for a fixed-asset purchase. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for this type of procurement?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are generally effective for procurements under the simplified threshold (currently $250,000) as they streamline the acquisition process, reducing administrative burden and lead times. For a contract valued at $5,176.82, SAP allows for efficient competition, often through methods like GSA Advantage! or direct solicitations to multiple vendors. This efficiency helps ensure that the government can obtain necessary goods and services quickly and at a fair price. The competitive nature, even if less formal than full and open competition, typically drives prices down. The success in obtaining a firm fixed-price award suggests SAP was effective in this instance.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar fabricated metal products by the GSA?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a major procurer of office furniture and equipment, including fabricated metal products. Historical spending patterns show significant investment in a wide array of items, from basic desks and chairs to specialized security equipment. Spending on filing cabinets, in particular, is consistent across agencies. While specific dollar amounts for 'Class-6' security cabinets are not readily available without deeper analysis, GSA's overall spending on office furnishings and equipment runs into hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This contract represents a very small fraction of that overall spending, indicating a targeted purchase rather than a broad category buy.

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: $5,177

Exercised Options: $5,177

Current Obligation: $5,177

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000D

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline