GSA awards $390K for filing cabinets, highlighting potential for better value through competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,032 ($39.0K)

Contractor: American Made Safe & Security LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 30 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6, 5-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, 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 $39,032 to AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC for work described as: FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6, 5-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-1, KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the specified items, but a direct comparison to market prices for similar government-issue filing cabinets is needed. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for price discovery, though the specific competition level (SAP) warrants further examination. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract and a short duration, minimizing cost overrun and performance risks. 4. Performance context is limited to a 30-day duration, suggesting this is for immediate or short-term needs rather than long-term supply. 5. Sector positioning places this within the miscellaneous fabricated metal product manufacturing industry, a mature sector with established suppliers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $390,320 for filing cabinets seems within a plausible range for government procurement, especially considering the 'AMERICAN MADE' requirement. However, without specific details on the exact specifications beyond 'CLASS-6, 5-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, STYLE-1, KEY CHANGE COMBINATION LOCK', a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against other GSA schedules or similar federal contracts for office furniture would provide a clearer picture of whether this represents a competitive price point or if there's room for negotiation or seeking alternative suppliers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves soliciting quotes from multiple sources. While the exact number of bidders (8) is provided, the specific solicitation method and the extent of outreach are not detailed. The fact that it was competed suggests that the government sought to obtain competitive pricing, but the use of SAP might limit the pool of potential offerors compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that prices are not excessively high. The presence of multiple bidders helps to drive down costs, although the full extent of savings is harder to quantify without knowing the baseline or other quotes received.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring secure, legal-sized filing cabinets will benefit from this contract. The services delivered include the provision of specific types of gray, Class-6 filing cabinets. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contractor is located, but the cabinets will likely be distributed to federal facilities nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving manufacturing and logistics roles within the awarded contractor's operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the absolute best pricing.
Specifications are generic; actual quality and durability against 'Class-6' standards need verification.
Short contract duration suggests potential for follow-on needs and re-competition risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded to an American-made supplier, supporting domestic manufacturing.
Firm-fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risk for the government.
Multiple bidders (8) indicate some level of market interest and competition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 332999). This is a broad category encompassing various metal fabrication activities. The market for office furniture, including filing cabinets, is mature with numerous domestic and international suppliers. Government procurement often relies on GSA Schedules or similar contract vehicles to source these types of goods efficiently. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule awards for office furniture can provide insights into typical pricing and volume.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awarded contractor, AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, through potential competition or supply chain opportunities if the prime contractor utilizes small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight mechanisms likely include contract administration, performance monitoring, and payment verification. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, with the GSA OIG being the relevant body.

Related Government Programs

GSA Office Supply Contracts
Federal Office Furniture Procurement
Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for higher prices due to SAP limitations
Lack of detailed specifications for 'Class-6' verification
Limited performance data for the contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $39,032 to AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC. FILING CABINET, GRAY, CLASS-6, 5-DRAWER, LEGAL SIZE, SINGLE LOCK, 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 $39,032.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the typical price range for a Class-6, 5-drawer legal-size filing cabinet procured by the federal government?

Determining a precise 'typical' price range for a Class-6, 5-drawer legal-size filing cabinet under federal procurement is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all such awards and their detailed specifications. However, based on general market knowledge and available GSA Schedule data, individual units can range from approximately $200 to $600 or more, depending on features like lock type, material gauge, finish, and specific security classifications (like Class-6). The total award of $390,320 divided by the number of units (which is not specified but implied to be substantial given the dollar value) would yield a per-unit cost. If, for example, 1,000 cabinets were purchased, the per-unit cost would be around $390. This falls within the expected range, but the exact value depends heavily on the quantity and specific compliance requirements.

How does the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) impact the potential for cost savings compared to full and open competition for this type of item?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for purchases up to $250,000 (or higher thresholds for certain items/agencies) and aim to reduce administrative burden and speed up procurement. While SAP encourages competition by allowing for multiple quotes, it typically involves a smaller pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, which is generally used for larger, more complex acquisitions. For standardized items like filing cabinets, SAP can be effective in achieving competitive pricing. However, full and open competition, often utilizing GSA Schedules or other large-scale vehicles, might attract a wider range of suppliers, potentially leading to even greater price discovery and economies of scale, especially for very large quantities. The use of SAP here suggests the acquisition was deemed suitable for streamlined procedures, likely balancing efficiency with reasonable price competition.

What does the 'Class-6' designation signify for filing cabinets in a federal context, and how is it verified?

The 'Class-6' designation for filing cabinets typically refers to a standard for security and fire resistance, often associated with the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Specification AA-F-386J or similar standards. Class-6 usually indicates a high level of security, often related to protection against unauthorized access and potentially some level of fire resistance, though specific fire ratings are usually denoted by different classifications (e.g., Class 350-1 hour). Verification of compliance with Class-6 standards would involve ensuring the cabinets meet the physical security requirements outlined in the relevant federal specification, which might include aspects like lock mechanisms, drawer construction, and material integrity. The contracting officer is responsible for ensuring that the awarded items meet all specified requirements, potentially through product testing, certifications from the manufacturer, or visual inspection against the specification.

What is the track record of AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC in fulfilling federal contracts for office furniture or similar items?

Information regarding the specific track record of AMERICAN MADE SAFE & SECURITY LLC in fulfilling federal contracts for office furniture or similar items is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically examine their past performance on federal contracts, including timeliness of delivery, quality of goods provided, and adherence to contract terms. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be primary sources for this information. Without access to these systems or further details on the company's history with GSA or other agencies, it's difficult to provide a specific assessment of their past performance reliability for this type of procurement.

Are there any specific risks associated with procuring filing cabinets through a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, as indicated by 'BPA CALL'?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call is an order issued against an existing BPA. BPAs are established to streamline the process of purchasing commonly needed items or services from a specific vendor or vendors over a period of time. The primary advantage of a BPA Call is efficiency and potentially pre-negotiated pricing. Risks associated with a BPA Call are generally low if the underlying BPA was well-structured and competed appropriately. Potential risks could include: 1) Limited competition if the BPA itself was not widely competed or if the call is placed with only one vendor under the BPA without further competition. 2) Price escalation if the BPA terms allow for price increases without adequate justification. 3) Quality control issues if the vendor's performance degrades over time. In this specific case, the 'BPA CALL' indicates this is an order against a pre-existing agreement, and the fact that it was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' suggests that this specific call involved some level of competition or solicitation, mitigating some of the inherent risks of a sole-source BPA.

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: 8

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: $39,032

Exercised Options: $39,032

Current Obligation: $39,032

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline