GSA awards $4,208 for reflective tape, highlighting potential for cost savings in material procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,208 ($4.2K)

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: $94/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAPE,REFLECTIVE; ENGINEERING GRADE; MEDIUM-INTENSITY RETRO-REFLECTIVE; PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE; ORANGE; WIDTH: 1 INCH; UI:RO/50YD

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,208 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC for work described as: TAPE,REFLECTIVE; ENGINEERING GRADE; MEDIUM-INTENSITY RETRO-REFLECTIVE; PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE; ORANGE; WIDTH: 1 INCH; UI:RO/50YD Key points: 1. The contract value of $4,208 for reflective tape appears to be a standard procurement for specialized materials. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific type of tape are not detailed, but the award suggests a competitive process. 3. Risk indicators are low given the small contract value and standard nature of the product. 4. Performance context is limited to the specified delivery dates, indicating a short-term need. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader category of industrial supplies and materials. 6. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract suggests price certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4,208 for 50 yards of reflective tape is a relatively small amount, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, the unit price can be inferred. Given the product description, the price seems within a reasonable range for specialized industrial materials. Further benchmarking against similar GSA schedule or open market purchases would provide a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for procurements below a certain threshold. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP generally encourages multiple offers. This level of competition, even for a small purchase, is positive for price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, even under SAP, suggests taxpayers benefit from a fair market price for the required reflective tape.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring safety and marking materials will benefit from the availability of this reflective tape. The services delivered include the provision of specialized engineering-grade reflective tape. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located, but the tape can be distributed nationally. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving manufacturing and distribution roles for the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations in raw materials impacting future similar procurements.
Ensuring consistent quality control for specialized reflective materials.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific contractor (F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC) indicates successful market engagement.
Use of a competitive process under SAP suggests efficient procurement practices.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial supplies sector, specifically focusing on reflective materials used for safety and identification. The market for such materials is driven by government and commercial safety regulations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other GSA schedule awards or federal procurements for similar safety and marking supplies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was a small business set-aside or if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms include contract administration, performance monitoring, and compliance checks. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases, though specific details of this small purchase may be limited.

Related Government Programs

GSA Schedule Purchases
Industrial Supplies
Safety Equipment Procurement
Reflective Materials

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases in future procurements due to material cost volatility.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance of reflective materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,208 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. TAPE,REFLECTIVE; ENGINEERING GRADE; MEDIUM-INTENSITY RETRO-REFLECTIVE; PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE; ORANGE; WIDTH: 1 INCH; UI:RO/50YD

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 $4,208.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC with the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC with the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their track record, one would typically examine their past performance on federal contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of goods or services, and adherence to contract terms. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov could provide historical contract awards and performance information for this vendor. A review of past performance evaluations, if available, would also be crucial in understanding their reliability and capability as a federal contractor.

How does the price of this reflective tape compare to similar federal procurements?

The provided data indicates a purchase of 50 yards of reflective tape for $4,208. This translates to approximately $84.16 per yard. Benchmarking this price requires comparing it to similar federal procurements for engineering-grade, medium-intensity, pressure-sensitive adhesive reflective tape. Without access to a broader dataset of recent GSA Schedule awards or other federal contracts for identical or comparable items, a precise comparison is difficult. However, this price point can be used as a reference for future procurements of similar materials, especially when considering the specific width and material grade specified.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low due to its small value and the nature of the product. Potential risks include supply chain disruptions affecting the availability of the reflective tape, quality control issues where the delivered product does not meet the specified engineering grade or reflectivity standards, and delivery delays, although the short duration (45 days) mitigates this risk. Price volatility for raw materials could also be a concern for future, similar procurements. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts most of the financial risk to the contractor.

How effective is the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring value for money for this procurement?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for purchases below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000), aiming for efficiency and speed. For a $4,208 purchase like this one, SAP is generally effective in ensuring value for money by allowing for a less burdensome competition process than full and open competition. It encourages multiple offers, which helps in price discovery. However, the depth of competition under SAP can vary. While it promotes efficiency, the ultimate value for money depends on the number and quality of bids received and the specific market dynamics for the product being procured.

What is the historical spending pattern for reflective tape by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending patterns for reflective tape by the General Services Administration (GSA) are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze GSA's procurement history over several fiscal years, looking for contracts awarded for similar items (e.g., reflective tape, safety markings, industrial adhesives). This analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases to identify the volume, value, and types of reflective materials GSA has purchased. Understanding historical spending can help identify trends, potential cost savings through bulk purchasing, and the typical competitive landscape for these materials.

What are the implications of the short contract duration (45 days) for this procurement?

The short contract duration of 45 days for this procurement of reflective tape suggests an immediate or short-term need. This implies that the government requires the materials within a specific, limited timeframe, possibly for a particular project or to replenish immediate stock. For the contractor, a short duration means a focused effort on fulfilling the order promptly. It also reduces the contractor's long-term commitment and associated risks. From a taxpayer perspective, a short duration can sometimes lead to slightly higher unit prices compared to longer-term contracts that allow for more efficient production planning and economies of scale.

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: $4,208

Exercised Options: $4,208

Current Obligation: $4,208

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline