The Will-Burt Company secures $19.7M contract for miscellaneous fabricated metal products, awarded by GSA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,707 ($19.7K)

Contractor: THE Will-Burt Company

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 39 days

Daily Burn Rate: $505/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET

Place of Performance

Location: ORRVILLE, WAYNE County, OHIO, 44667

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19,706.96 to THE WILL-BURT COMPANY for work described as: FILING CABINET Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. The contract's duration of 39 days is exceptionally short, indicating a potential need for rapid fulfillment or a pilot program. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests price certainty for the government, but may limit flexibility if requirements change. 4. The award to a single contractor, The Will-Burt Company, warrants examination of the competition dynamics. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 332999 covers a broad range of miscellaneous fabricated metal products. 6. Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), indicating a potential for broader government-wide use or standardization.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the 'FILING CABINET' product. However, the total award amount of $19.7 million for a 39-day period suggests a high per-day expenditure. Given the short duration and the nature of fabricated metal products, the pricing will need to be carefully scrutinized against industry standards for similar custom or specialized fabrication services. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the value proposition hinges on the necessity and urgency of the requirement.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but may not always involve the same level of formal solicitation as larger procurements. The data indicates 3 bidders participated in the competition. While three bidders suggest some level of competition, the specific details of the solicitation and evaluation process would be needed to fully assess its effectiveness in driving competitive pricing and ensuring the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competition among three bidders under SAP is a positive sign for taxpayers, as it likely contributed to achieving a reasonable price. However, the limited number of bidders compared to potentially larger, more complex procurements means the full benefits of robust market competition may not have been realized.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring filing cabinets or similar fabricated metal storage solutions. The services delivered involve the manufacturing and supply of specific fabricated metal products. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Ohio, where the contractor is located, and potentially nationwide depending on delivery requirements. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities at The Will-Burt Company and its supply chain partners.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration (39 days) could indicate rushed production or potential for unmet needs if delays occur.
Fixed-price contract may not accommodate unforeseen changes in material costs or specifications.
Limited competition (3 bidders) might have restricted price discovery and innovation.
Broad NAICS code could mean the specific product is highly specialized, making value assessment difficult without more detail.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competed process, indicating some level of market engagement.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially streamlining delivery and management.
GSA involvement suggests adherence to established procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing sector (NAICS 332999). This sector encompasses a wide array of metal products not elsewhere classified, including custom metal fabrication. The market for such products is driven by demand from various industries, including government, construction, and commercial sectors. Government spending on fabricated metal products can fluctuate based on infrastructure projects, equipment needs, and general operational requirements. Benchmarking this specific contract's value is difficult without knowing the exact specifications of the 'FILING CABINET' product.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by small business set-asides. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether The Will-Burt Company utilizes small businesses in its own supply chain, which is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other procurement policies. Accountability is typically managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the fixed-price terms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected during the contract's lifecycle.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for office furniture and equipment
Procurements for general purpose equipment
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supply contracts
GSA Public Buildings Service (PBS) procurements

Risk Flags

Short contract duration
Potential for limited competition despite SAP
Lack of specific product details hinders value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19,706.96 to THE WILL-BURT COMPANY. FILING CABINET

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE WILL-BURT COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19,706.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-12.

What are the specific specifications and intended use of the 'FILING CABINET' product being procured?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature or intended use of the 'FILING CABINET' product beyond its classification under NAICS 332999 (All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing). This broad category can encompass a wide range of items, from standard office filing cabinets to highly specialized secure or custom-designed metal enclosures. Without detailed specifications, it is impossible to assess the technical requirements, quality standards, or unique features of the product. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to benchmark pricing effectively against comparable items or to understand the criticality of the procurement for the end-user agency.

How does the $19.7 million award amount compare to typical spending on similar fabricated metal products by the federal government?

Comparing the $19.7 million award for 'FILING CABINET' to typical federal spending on similar fabricated metal products is challenging due to the broad NAICS code and the unspecified nature of the product. Federal spending on fabricated metal products is diverse, ranging from large-scale infrastructure components to office furnishings. If 'FILING CABINET' refers to standard office furniture, $19.7 million for a 39-day delivery period would represent a very high unit cost or an exceptionally large quantity. If it refers to specialized, high-security, or custom-engineered metal enclosures, the cost could be more justifiable, but still requires detailed justification against market rates for such specialized items. The General Services Administration (GSA) often procures office supplies and equipment through established schedules, which typically offer more competitive pricing for standardized items.

What is The Will-Burt Company's track record with federal contracts, particularly for fabricated metal products?

The provided data indicates The Will-Burt Company has been awarded this specific contract valued at $19.7 million by the General Services Administration (GSA). Further investigation into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would be necessary to ascertain the company's full federal contracting history. This would include reviewing past awards, contract types, performance ratings, and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Understanding their experience with similar fabricated metal products, their performance on previous GSA contracts, and their overall reliability as a government supplier is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this current award.

Given the short 39-day duration, what are the potential risks associated with contract performance and delivery?

The extremely short contract duration of 39 days presents several potential risks. Firstly, it implies a high degree of urgency for the 'FILING CABINET' product, which could indicate critical operational needs for the end-user agency. However, such a tight timeline increases the risk of production delays, quality control issues, and logistical challenges for the contractor, The Will-Burt Company. If the contractor fails to meet the deadline or quality standards, it could disrupt agency operations. Secondly, the compressed schedule may have limited the time available for thorough inspection and acceptance, potentially increasing the risk of accepting non-conforming goods. Finally, the urgency might have influenced the pricing, potentially leading to a higher cost than if more lead time were available.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the assessment of value for money and potential for overpricing?

The designation 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) indicates that the contract was awarded through a streamlined process designed for purchases below the threshold for full and open competition (typically $250,000, though this threshold can be higher for certain agencies or contract types). While SAP allows for competition, it often involves fewer bidders and less extensive documentation than full and open competition. This can sometimes lead to less aggressive price competition compared to larger procurements. For a $19.7 million contract, competing under SAP raises questions about why it did not necessitate a more robust competitive process, potentially increasing the risk of paying a higher price than could have been achieved through broader solicitation. However, the presence of three bidders suggests some level of market engagement was pursued.

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: 47QSSC25Q1705

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 COLLINS BLVD, ORRVILLE, OH, 44667

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,707

Exercised Options: $19,707

Current Obligation: $19,707

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000H

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline