GSA awards $12.5K contract for aircraft canopy polish, highlighting niche product procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,448 ($12.4K)

Contractor: F & M Micro Products Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: POLISH, PLASTIC AIRCRAFT CANOPY:SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH QPL P-P-560-12. TYPE 1, LIQUID. TEN(10) EACH 16 OUNCE CONTAINERS.

Place of Performance

Location: VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91406

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12,448.2 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC for work described as: POLISH, PLASTIC AIRCRAFT CANOPY:SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH QPL P-P-560-12. TYPE 1, LIQUID. TEN(10) EACH 16 OUNCE CONTAINERS. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized cleaning agents. 2. Procurement was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value purchases. 3. Limited contract duration (7 days) indicates an immediate, short-term need. 4. The product specification (QPL P-P-560-12) points to a need for certified, high-quality materials. 5. The award to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC suggests a potentially concentrated market for this specific item.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12,448.20 for ten 16-ounce containers of aircraft canopy polish seems appropriate given the specialized nature of the product and the requirement for adherence to a Qualified Products List (QPL). Without direct market comparables for this exact QPL-specified item, it's difficult to benchmark precisely, but the unit price of approximately $1245 per 16-ounce container suggests a premium for certified, high-performance materials. This is not unusual for aerospace-grade supplies.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $1,245 per 16-ounce container.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often through GSA Advantage! or other online portals. While the specific competition details are not provided, SAP is designed for procurements under the micro-purchase threshold or for items where competition is expected to be limited. The presence of two bidders suggests some level of competition, but it may not represent full and open market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, SAP procurements aim for efficiency in acquiring lower-value items. While competition might be less robust than for larger contracts, the streamlined process can reduce administrative costs, potentially offsetting the risk of slightly higher prices on niche items.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely entities requiring specialized aircraft maintenance, such as military branches or private aviation operators. The service delivered is the provision of a specific, certified cleaning product essential for maintaining aircraft canopies. The geographic impact is centered in California, where the contractor is located and likely where the product will be shipped. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to the manufacturing and distribution of the specialized polish.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could lead to less aggressive pricing.
Short contract duration may necessitate rapid procurement cycles, potentially increasing administrative burden.
Reliance on a specific QPL could limit the pool of qualified suppliers.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific manufacturer (F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC) suggests established capability for this niche product.
Use of BPA Call indicates a pre-negotiated framework, potentially streamlining the ordering process.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the 'Chemical Manufacturing' and 'Aerospace Support Services' sectors. The market for specialized aircraft maintenance chemicals is often niche, with a few key suppliers capable of meeting stringent quality and certification requirements like QPL specifications. Spending benchmarks for such specific items are hard to establish without broader market data, but the overall federal spending on aerospace and defense maintenance supplies is substantial.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements. The award to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC, whose size status is not provided, means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear from this data alone.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. As a BPA Call under SAP, the oversight is likely focused on ensuring compliance with the BPA terms and the specific order requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Maintenance Supplies
Specialty Cleaning Chemicals
Aerospace Component Manufacturing
GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition
Short contract duration may indicate reactive procurement
Reliance on specific QPL may limit supplier options

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12,448.2 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. POLISH, PLASTIC AIRCRAFT CANOPY:SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH QPL P-P-560-12. TYPE 1, LIQUID. TEN(10) EACH 16 OUNCE CONTAINERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,448.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the track record of F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC in supplying aerospace-grade chemicals?

Information regarding F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC's specific track record in supplying aerospace-grade chemicals, particularly those meeting QPL specifications, is not detailed in the provided data. A deeper dive into their contract history with government agencies, customer reviews, and any certifications they hold would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and expertise in this niche market. Their ability to secure this contract suggests they meet the minimum requirements, but further investigation into past performance, delivery timeliness, and product quality on previous contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities.

How does the unit price of this aircraft canopy polish compare to similar QPL-certified products?

The unit price of approximately $1,245 per 16-ounce container for this QPL-certified aircraft canopy polish is significantly higher than standard industrial cleaning agents. This premium is expected due to the stringent quality control, testing, and certification processes required for aerospace applications, as indicated by the QPL P-P-560-12 specification. Without access to a database of QPL-certified aerospace chemical pricing, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for specialized, certified materials in the aerospace industry, such pricing is not uncommon, reflecting the high performance and safety standards demanded.

What are the potential risks associated with procuring a niche product under SAP?

Procuring niche products under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carries several potential risks. Firstly, competition may be limited, potentially leading to higher prices than if the item were widely available and competed under full and open procedures. Secondly, the focus on speed and efficiency within SAP might sometimes lead to less rigorous vetting of suppliers or products, although the QPL requirement here mitigates product risk. Thirdly, the short contract duration suggests an immediate need, which could indicate poor planning or an unforeseen surge in demand, potentially straining supply chains. Finally, reliance on a single or few suppliers for highly specialized items can create dependency and vulnerability.

What is the effectiveness of using a BPA Call for acquiring specialized maintenance items like aircraft canopy polish?

Using a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call for acquiring specialized maintenance items like aircraft canopy polish can be highly effective. BPAs establish pre-negotiated terms and conditions, allowing agencies to place orders quickly and efficiently without needing to re-compete the entire contract each time. This is particularly beneficial for recurring needs or when specific suppliers are known to provide necessary items. For niche products like QPL-certified polish, a BPA can ensure a reliable supply source and potentially leverage negotiated pricing. The 'Call' aspect signifies a specific order against the established BPA, streamlining the process further and providing cost certainty for that particular purchase.

How does the $12,448 contract value fit within the broader context of federal spending on aircraft maintenance?

The $12,448 contract value for aircraft canopy polish is a very small component within the vast federal spending on aircraft maintenance, which runs into billions of dollars annually. This specific contract addresses a highly specialized, low-volume need for a particular type of polish. Broader federal spending encompasses everything from major aircraft procurement and overhauls to routine maintenance, fuel, and a wide array of support materials and services. This contract represents a micro-level expenditure focused on a single, critical consumable item, highlighting the granular nature of federal procurement even for seemingly minor supplies.

What are the implications of the 7-day contract duration for supply chain management?

The extremely short 7-day duration (April 8-15, 2026) for this contract implies an urgent, immediate need for the aircraft canopy polish. This could stem from an unforeseen stock depletion, a sudden operational requirement, or a gap in planned procurement. From a supply chain perspective, it necessitates rapid fulfillment by the contractor, F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. It also suggests that this is not a long-term supply agreement but rather an emergency or short-term fill. For the government, such short durations can sometimes indicate reactive rather than proactive procurement, potentially leading to higher costs or less favorable terms compared to longer-term, planned acquisitions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing › Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6917 WOODLEY AVE, VAN NUYS, CA, 91406

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,448

Exercised Options: $12,448

Current Obligation: $12,448

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC25T000Z

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline