GSA awards $2,988 for specialized cleaning cloths to F & M Micro Products Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,988 ($3.0K)

Contractor: F & M Micro Products Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-18

Contract Duration: 45 days

Daily Burn Rate: $66/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOTH, CLEANING: USE: FOR REMOVING OXIDES AND PARTICULATES FROM MAGNETIC TAPE HEADS, GUIDES, CAPSTANS, AND MAGNETIC DISC SURFACES; MATERIAL: PRE-MOISTENED, SYNTHETIC, NON-ABRASIVE CLOTH SATURATED WITH 91 PERCENT MINIMUM CONCENTRATION OF ISOPROPYL ALC

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,988 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC for work described as: CLOTH, CLEANING: USE: FOR REMOVING OXIDES AND PARTICULATES FROM MAGNETIC TAPE HEADS, GUIDES, CAPSTANS, AND MAGNETIC DISC SURFACES; MATERIAL: PRE-MOISTENED, SYNTHETIC, NON-ABRASIVE CLOTH SATURATED WITH 91 PERCENT MINIMUM CONCENTRATION OF ISOPROPYL ALC Key points: 1. Specialized cleaning cloths for magnetic media maintenance are essential for data integrity. 2. The market for these specific cleaning supplies is likely niche, potentially limiting competition. 3. Risk of obsolescence exists if magnetic media technology is phased out. 4. This falls under the 'Other' sector due to its specialized nature, not fitting neatly into broader categories.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award of $2,988 for cleaning cloths appears to be a small, routine purchase. Without specific benchmarks for this niche product, a direct pricing comparison is difficult, but the amount suggests it's not excessively high for specialized supplies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was likely a limited competition among pre-approved vendors or through a specific solicitation. This method may not yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the small award amount of $2,988 for essential maintenance supplies.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and data integrity for systems using magnetic tape and disc drives. Supports the maintenance of legacy or specialized data storage systems. Provides a critical consumable for IT infrastructure maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 66 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Potential for product obsolescence as technology shifts away from magnetic media.

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, necessary maintenance requirement.
Utilizes a streamlined procurement process for a small purchase.

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under general supplies for IT maintenance. While the NAICS code suggests Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing, the description clearly indicates a specialized cleaning cloth for electronic components. Spending benchmarks for such niche consumables are difficult to establish, but are typically low relative to overall IT budgets.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is F & M Micro Products Inc. It is not specified if this is a small business, and the award was made under SAP, which can be utilized for small business set-asides, but this was not explicitly stated.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service manages this contract. Oversight is likely standard for purchase orders under SAP, focusing on delivery and compliance with terms.

Related Government Programs

Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for product obsolescence
Unknown shelf-life impacting waste and cost
Reliance on potentially outdated storage technology

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,988 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. CLOTH, CLEANING: USE: FOR REMOVING OXIDES AND PARTICULATES FROM MAGNETIC TAPE HEADS, GUIDES, CAPSTANS, AND MAGNETIC DISC SURFACES; MATERIAL: PRE-MOISTENED, SYNTHETIC, NON-ABRASIVE CLOTH SATURATED WITH 91 PERCENT MINIMUM CONCENTRATION OF ISOPROPYL ALC

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 $2,988.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-18.

What is the specific shelf-life of these pre-moistened cleaning cloths, and how does it impact inventory management and potential waste?

The shelf-life of pre-moistened cleaning cloths is a critical factor. If the shelf-life is short, agencies must carefully manage inventory to avoid expiration and waste, which increases the effective cost. Without this information, it's difficult to fully assess the value and potential for loss. This impacts the overall efficiency of the procurement.

Are there alternative, potentially more cost-effective or longer-lasting cleaning solutions available for magnetic media maintenance?

Investigating alternative cleaning solutions is crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness and long-term value. While isopropyl alcohol is a standard cleaning agent, the specific formulation and cloth material are key. Exploring dry cleaning methods or different types of wipes could reveal options with longer shelf-lives or lower per-use costs, mitigating risks associated with specialized consumables.

How does the continued reliance on magnetic media for data storage align with current and future federal data management strategies?

The ongoing need for cleaning supplies for magnetic media suggests continued reliance on these storage systems. This raises questions about their alignment with modern, scalable, and secure data management strategies, which often favor cloud-based or solid-state solutions. Understanding this strategic alignment is key to assessing the long-term necessity and effectiveness of such procurements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FOOD PREPARATION/SERVING EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

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: $2,988

Exercised Options: $2,988

Current Obligation: $2,988

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline