GSA awards $2.3M contract for low-lint cleaning cloths, with a 15-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,346 ($2.3K)

Contractor: Barnes Supply CO, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 15 days

Daily Burn Rate: $156/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT CID A-A-59323A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE II FOR GENERAL USE, REQUIRE LOW-LINT, HIGHLY ABSOREBENT WIPER. FIRST ARTICLE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6. U/I BX (2 EACH, FIVE LB BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX.

Place of Performance

Location: MARTINSVILLE, HENRY County, VIRGINIA, 24112

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,346.12 to BARNES SUPPLY CO, INC for work described as: CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT CID A-A-59323A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE II FOR GENERAL USE, REQUIRE LOW-LINT, HIGHLY ABSOREBENT WIPER. FIRST ARTICLE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6. U/I BX (2 EACH, FIVE LB BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized cleaning cloths, indicating a need for specific material properties. 2. The contract's short duration suggests a tactical or immediate requirement rather than a long-term strategic one. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The use of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call suggests an existing framework agreement was leveraged. 5. The specific product description highlights a niche requirement within textile manufacturing. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2,346.12 for cleaning cloths is relatively small. Without specific details on the quantity and exact specifications of the cloths, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the award under SAP suggests an expectation of competitive pricing for this item. Benchmarking against similar low-lint wiper contracts would be necessary for a more precise evaluation of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for full and open competition for procurements below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP aims to ensure fair opportunity. The use of a BPA Call might indicate that multiple vendors were available under the existing BPA, potentially leading to competitive quotes.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP generally leads to more favorable pricing by allowing multiple vendors to bid, ensuring the government receives good value for its expenditure on these cleaning supplies.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized low-lint cleaning cloths for sensitive equipment or environments will benefit from this contract. The services delivered are the provision of specific textile products meeting defined quality standards. The geographic impact is likely limited to the locations where the General Services Administration (GSA) or its supported agencies operate. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the manufacturing and distribution of textile products.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed quantity and unit breakdown makes precise value assessment difficult.
Short performance period could indicate potential for future contract modifications or re-competition.
No explicit small business subcontracting goals mentioned.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive SAP process, suggesting potential for good pricing.
Leverages an existing BPA framework, indicating efficient procurement practices.
Specific product requirements suggest a focus on quality and suitability for intended use.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills sector, specifically for cleaning cloths. The broader textile industry encompasses a wide range of products, but this procurement targets a niche with specific performance requirements (low-lint, absorbent). Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within GSA's Federal Supply Schedule for janitorial and cleaning supplies, or specific industrial supply categories.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific small business subcontracting requirements based on the provided data. The award to Barnes Supply Co, Inc. does not preclude them from being a small business themselves, but the contract itself was not a small business set-aside. This means opportunities for small businesses to directly bid or subcontract on this specific award were not mandated.

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 contract terms, including delivery schedules and product specifications. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Janitorial Supplies
Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
Industrial Textiles
Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts

Risk Flags

Short performance period may indicate urgent need or reactive procurement.
Limited detail on quantity and specific performance metrics hinders full value analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,346.12 to BARNES SUPPLY CO, INC. CLOTH,CLEANING,LOW-LINT CID A-A-59323A DATED 3/24/05. TYPE II FOR GENERAL USE, REQUIRE LOW-LINT, HIGHLY ABSOREBENT WIPER. FIRST ARTICLE REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3.6. U/I BX (2 EACH, FIVE LB BAGS OF CLOTHS PER BOX.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BARNES SUPPLY CO, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2,346.12.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the typical unit cost for low-lint cleaning cloths of this specification in the federal market?

Determining the precise typical unit cost for these specific low-lint cleaning cloths is challenging without knowing the exact quantity per box and the precise absorbency and lint-free standards. However, general industrial cleaning wipes can range from a few cents to over a dollar per wipe, depending on material, size, and specialized features. Given this is a 'Type II for general use, require low-lint, highly absorbent wiper' and awarded under SAP, the price would likely be at the higher end of the general cleaning wipe spectrum but competitive within its niche. A benchmark would require comparing the price per box against similar items listed on GSA Advantage or through other agency procurements for specialized cleaning materials.

What is the track record of Barnes Supply Co, Inc. with federal contracts?

Barnes Supply Co, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). Their awards often fall within the categories of maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies, including cleaning and janitorial products. Analyzing their past performance data would reveal the volume and types of contracts awarded, their on-time delivery rates, and any reported issues or successes. This specific award is a small value BPA Call, suggesting a routine transaction within their established relationship with GSA.

How does the 15-day performance period impact the assessment of this contract's risk?

A 15-day performance period is exceptionally short for a supply contract, suggesting this is likely a call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for immediate or urgent needs. The risk associated with such a short period is generally low, as it minimizes the window for potential disruptions or performance failures. However, it could indicate a reactive procurement strategy rather than proactive planning. The primary risk is ensuring the vendor can meet the immediate demand and specifications within that tight timeframe. If this is a recurring need, the short duration might also signal a lack of long-term strategic sourcing.

What does the classification 'All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills' imply about the market for these cloths?

The NAICS code 314999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills,' indicates that the product falls into a broad category for textile mills not specified elsewhere. This suggests that specialized cleaning cloths like these are not produced by a large, distinct industry segment but rather by companies that may produce a variety of textile goods. It implies a potentially fragmented market with fewer large-scale manufacturers dedicated solely to this specific type of wiper. This could mean competition relies more on smaller, specialized producers or divisions within larger textile companies.

Are there any historical spending patterns for this specific type of cleaning cloth by the GSA?

Historical spending data for this exact type of cleaning cloth by GSA would likely be found by searching procurement databases using the specific product description or relevant National Stock Numbers (NSNs) if applicable, alongside the NAICS code 314999. GSA frequently procures janitorial and cleaning supplies through various mechanisms, including FSS contracts and BPAs. Analyzing past awards for similar items would reveal trends in volume, pricing, and the number of vendors utilized. Without direct access to detailed historical data for this specific item, it's presumed GSA maintains ongoing requirements for such supplies, potentially through established contracts or BPAs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Textile Product Mills › All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills

Product/Service Code: HOUSEHOLD/COMMERC FURNISH/APPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2201 APPALACHIAN DR, MARTINSVILLE, VA, 24112

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,346

Exercised Options: $2,346

Current Obligation: $2,346

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA23T000C

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline