GSA awards $4,027 contract for stainless steel knives, highlighting domestic manufacturing capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,028 ($4.0K)

Contractor: Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-18

Contract Duration: 10 days

Daily Burn Rate: $403/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Other

Official Description: KNIFE, TABLE (STAINLESS STEEL):GRADED,SERRATED, WINDOR PATTERN

Place of Performance

Location: SHERRILL, ONEIDA County, NEW YORK, 13461

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,027.52 to SHERRILL MANUFACTURING, INC. for work described as: KNIFE, TABLE (STAINLESS STEEL):GRADED,SERRATED, WINDOR PATTERN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single domestic manufacturer, potentially limiting broader market competition. 2. Short contract duration of 10 days suggests a specific, immediate need. 3. Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type introduces potential for cost fluctuations. 4. The award falls under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific award. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code points to bottled water manufacturing, which appears to be a data anomaly for knife procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4,027.52 for knives is relatively small. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific product details (e.g., quantity, type of knife). The use of FPEPA for such a small value might be unusual, but could be justified if raw material costs are volatile. The award price of $403 per unit (assuming 10 units based on $4027.52 / $403) seems high for standard stainless steel knives, suggesting either specialized features or a significant markup.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $403 per unit, which appears high for standard stainless steel knives. Further clarification on quantity and knife type is needed for a precise benchmark.

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. However, the award was made to a single contractor, Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of offers received and the evaluation process, are not provided. This suggests that while the opportunity was open, only one offer may have been deemed acceptable or the most advantageous.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a competitive process. However, with a single awardee, it's crucial to ensure the pricing reflects true market value and isn't inflated due to a lack of sustained competitive pressure.

Public Impact

Benefits the General Services Administration (GSA) by fulfilling a procurement need for stainless steel knives. Services delivered include the provision of specific types of stainless steel knives. Geographic impact is primarily within New York, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are minimal, likely impacting a small number of employees at the manufacturing facility.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for high per-unit cost given the benchmark.
NAICS code mismatch raises questions about the accuracy of the procurement data.
Use of FPEPA for a small value contract might indicate unforeseen cost pressures or administrative complexity.
Limited contract duration may not reflect long-term supply chain needs.

Positive Signals

Award to a domestic manufacturer supports U.S. industry.
Procurement conducted under full and open competition.
Contract is part of an existing BPA Call, suggesting established procurement channels.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader manufacturing sector, specifically related to cutlery and kitchenware. The market for stainless steel knives is competitive, with numerous domestic and international suppliers. The GSA's role is to procure goods and services for federal agencies, and this award represents a small component of their overall spending on supplies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar items would typically be found within GSA's Schedules or other competitive solicitations for kitchenware.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not include a small business set-aside. As the awardee is Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc., further investigation would be needed to determine if they qualify as a small business under SBA size standards for their industry. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses on this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the contracting process, requiring the contractor to meet specifications and delivery timelines. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedules Program
Federal Supply Service
Cutlery and Kitchenware Procurement
Domestic Manufacturing Support Programs

Risk Flags

Data Anomaly: NAICS code mismatch.
Potential Overpricing: High unit cost benchmark.
Unusual Contract Type: FPEPA for short duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,027.52 to SHERRILL MANUFACTURING, INC.. KNIFE, TABLE (STAINLESS STEEL):GRADED,SERRATED, WINDOR PATTERN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SHERRILL MANUFACTURING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,027.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-18.

What specific type of stainless steel knives were procured, and what was the exact quantity ordered?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of stainless steel knives procured. The contract value is $4,027.52, and the average unit price appears to be around $403. This high unit price suggests either a very specialized type of knife (e.g., surgical, high-end culinary) or a small quantity of standard knives. Without knowing the quantity, it's impossible to accurately assess the value for money or benchmark the unit cost against market rates for typical kitchen or utility knives. Further details from the contract award file are necessary to clarify the product specifics.

How many offers were received during the full and open competition, and what were the key evaluation criteria?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' but does not specify the number of offers received or the evaluation criteria. While the competition was open, the award to a single entity, Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc., raises questions about the level of actual competition. It's possible that only one offer was received, or that while multiple offers were received, only one met the technical requirements or offered the best value. Understanding the evaluation process and the number of competing bids is crucial for assessing whether the government secured the most advantageous pricing and terms.

What is the rationale for using a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) contract type for this relatively small dollar value award?

The use of a Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment (FPEPA) for a contract valued at $4,027.52 is unusual, as FPEPA clauses are typically employed for longer-term contracts or those involving significant material cost volatility. This clause allows for adjustments to the contract price based on fluctuations in specified economic factors, such as labor or material costs. For a short-duration contract (10 days), the potential for significant economic shifts impacting the price is generally low. The rationale might stem from specific industry cost structures for stainless steel or a desire by the GSA to lock in a supplier while mitigating potential unforeseen cost increases, even over a short period. However, it adds administrative complexity and potential for price increases that might not be fully justified for such a small purchase.

What is the significance of the NAICS code '312112' (Bottled Water Manufacturing) being associated with this knife procurement?

The association of NAICS code '312112' (Bottled Water Manufacturing) with a contract for stainless steel knives appears to be a significant data anomaly or error. NAICS code 312112 specifically covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing bottled water. Stainless steel knife manufacturing typically falls under NAICS code 332211 (Cutlery and Flatware Manufacturing). This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy and integrity of the data being reported. It could indicate a data entry error, a misclassification by the procuring agency, or potentially a very unusual situation where a bottled water manufacturer is supplying knives for a specific, unstated purpose. Clarification is essential to ensure accurate reporting and analysis.

Can Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc. be considered a small business, and what are the implications for subcontracting?

The provided data does not specify whether Sherrill Manufacturing, Inc. qualifies as a small business. To determine this, one would need to consult the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards for the relevant industry (likely cutlery manufacturing, NAICS 332211, not 312112). If Sherrill Manufacturing is considered a large business, the absence of a small business set-aside or subcontracting plan on this specific award means there are no direct benefits or requirements for small businesses related to this particular contract. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, not a small business set-aside.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Beverage Manufacturing › Bottled Water Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FOOD PREPARATION/SERVING EQPT

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: 102 E SENECA ST, SHERRILL, NY, 13461

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,028

Exercised Options: $4,028

Current Obligation: $4,028

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSSC24A000V

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline