GSA awards $6,067 fixed-price contract for tape and insulation to TAPESOUTH INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,067 ($6.1K)

Contractor: Tapesouth Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-22

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $404/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAPE,INSULATION,ELE PG/6EA

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6,067.2 to TAPESOUTH INC for work described as: TAPE,INSULATION,ELE PG/6EA Key points: 1. Contract value appears low, suggesting a specific need or limited scope. 2. Fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment introduces potential for cost fluctuations. 3. Short duration of 15 days indicates a tactical or immediate requirement. 4. Awarded under a BPA Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework agreement. 5. No small business set-aside noted, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms. 6. Geographic focus on Florida suggests a regional or localized application.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6,067.20 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. The fixed-price nature with economic price adjustment suggests that while a ceiling price is set, there's flexibility for material cost changes. Without more information on the specific type and quantity of tape and insulation, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the low dollar amount may indicate efficient procurement for a specific, limited need.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. As this was a BPA Call, it suggests that TAPESOUTH INC. was likely one of several awardees under a broader Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or similar vehicle, and this specific call was competed among those eligible. The number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and quality. For this specific contract, the competitive nature likely ensured that the government received a fair price for the tape and insulation, even if the overall value is modest.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is likely the General Services Administration (GSA) itself, or potentially other federal agencies utilizing GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. The services delivered involve the provision of tape and insulation materials. The geographic impact is specified as Florida (FL), indicating the materials are likely intended for use within that state. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a supply contract rather than a service requiring significant labor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Economic price adjustment clause could lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if material prices rise significantly.
Short contract duration may indicate a rushed procurement or a need that could have been planned for longer-term, potentially more cost-effective solutions.
Lack of small business set-aside might mean missed opportunities to support small businesses in this procurement.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
BPA Call mechanism implies that a broader, pre-vetted contract vehicle was utilized, potentially streamlining procurement.
Fixed-price contract type provides some cost certainty, despite the economic price adjustment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the manufacturing sector, specifically related to plastics pipe and fitting manufacturing (NAICS 326122), although the product itself (tape, insulation) might span broader industrial supply categories. The market for industrial tapes and insulation is diverse, serving construction, manufacturing, and maintenance needs. The GSA's Federal Acquisition Service procures a vast array of supplies, and this contract represents a small component of their overall spending in industrial materials.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements. Therefore, it does not appear to directly impact the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. However, TAPESOUTH INC. itself could be a small business, which would be a positive signal if that were the case, but this information is not provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call, it operates under the umbrella of a larger BPA, which itself would have established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, and accountability would be managed through contract performance monitoring and adherence to the terms of the fixed-price agreement with economic price adjustment.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Industrial Supplies Procurement
Construction Materials Contracts
Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost increase due to Economic Price Adjustment.
Short contract duration may indicate urgency or less optimal planning.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6,067.2 to TAPESOUTH INC. TAPE,INSULATION,ELE PG/6EA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TAPESOUTH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6,067.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-22.

What is the specific type and quantity of tape and insulation being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the product description as 'TAPE,INSULATION,ELE PG/6EA'. The 'PG/6EA' likely refers to packaging or unit of measure, possibly 'package of 6 each'. However, the exact quantity and specific type (e.g., electrical tape, thermal insulation, adhesive tape) are not detailed. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully assess the value proposition or compare it to market rates for particular items. Further details would be needed from the contract's statement of work or line item details.

How does the unit price, if calculable, compare to similar GSA Schedule or market prices for tape and insulation?

Calculating a precise unit price is challenging without knowing the exact quantity. If '6EA' refers to 6 individual items within a package, and the total contract value is $6,067.20, the average price per package would be $6,067.20 divided by the number of packages. Without knowing the number of packages or the specific items, a direct unit price comparison is not feasible. GSA Schedules often have pre-negotiated pricing, and this BPA Call likely draws from such a schedule. A comparison would require identifying the specific GSA Schedule item number and its associated price.

What is the risk associated with the 'Economic Price Adjustment' (EPA) clause in this fixed-price contract?

The Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause introduces a risk of cost escalation for the government. While the contract is fixed-price, the EPA allows for adjustments based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, typically material or labor costs. For this contract, the risk is that the cost of the tape and insulation materials could increase during the contract period, leading to a higher final price than initially anticipated. The extent of this risk depends on the specific index or formula used for adjustment and the volatility of the relevant commodity markets.

What does the short contract duration (15 days) imply about the nature of this procurement?

A contract duration of only 15 days (from April 7, 2026, to April 22, 2026) strongly suggests an urgent or immediate need for the specified tape and insulation. This could be for a specific project with a tight deadline, an emergency repair, or to replenish stock for a short-term requirement. Such short durations can sometimes lead to higher prices compared to longer-term contracts that allow for bulk purchasing and more extensive planning, but they are necessary when immediate fulfillment is critical.

What is the significance of this award being a 'BPA CALL' under the General Services Administration?

A 'BPA CALL' signifies that this contract is an order placed against a previously established Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are simplified acquisition methods used when a government agency anticipates repetitive needs for certain supplies or services. By using a BPA, the GSA has already negotiated terms and pricing with one or more vendors (like TAPESOUTH INC. in this case). A 'BPA CALL' is the specific order placed against that BPA. This method streamlines the procurement process, reduces administrative burden, and can lead to better pricing through volume commitments under the parent BPA.

What is the historical spending pattern for tape and insulation by the GSA or related agencies?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) for similar contracts awarded by the GSA or other agencies for 'tape' and 'insulation' over previous fiscal years. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in spending volume, average contract values, common vendors, and pricing, providing context for the current $6,067 award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Plastics Pipe and Pipe Fitting Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1626 NW 55TH PL, GAINESVILLE, FL, 32653

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,067

Exercised Options: $6,067

Current Obligation: $6,067

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25A000L

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline