GSA Awards $2439 for Vacuum Insulated Bottles, Competed Under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,439 ($2.4K)

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: $54/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOTTLE,VACUUM: SIZE-1 QUART +/-3 OUNCES, STAINLESS STEEL INNER & OUTER SHELLS. ALT. CONSTRUCTION, OUTER SHELL MAY BE CARBON STEEL W/PAINTED FINISH. STAINLESS STEEL CONFORM TO ASTM STANDARD #A167,A240 OR COMBINATION. BOTTLE-NARROW MOUTH 2 IN, W/REMOVA

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2,439 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC for work described as: BOTTLE,VACUUM: SIZE-1 QUART +/-3 OUNCES, STAINLESS STEEL INNER & OUTER SHELLS. ALT. CONSTRUCTION, OUTER SHELL MAY BE CARBON STEEL W/PAINTED FINISH. STAINLESS STEEL CONFORM TO ASTM STANDARD #A167,A240 OR COMBINATION. BOTTLE-NARROW MOUTH 2 IN, W/REMOVA Key points: 1. Awarded to F & M Micro Products Inc. for vacuum insulated bottles. 2. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price with a 45-day duration. 3. Competition method was Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. No small business set-aside was utilized. 5. Product is stainless steel vacuum bottles, size 1 quart.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $2439 for 3 units suggests a per-unit price of $813. This appears high for a 1-quart vacuum bottle, even for specialized materials. Further benchmarking against similar government or commercial contracts is recommended.

Cost Per Unit: $813

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves limited competition. While this can expedite procurement, it may not always result in the lowest possible price due to reduced market visibility.

Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small award value limits the immediate taxpayer impact, but the potentially high per-unit cost warrants attention for future procurements.

Public Impact

Provides essential equipment for federal agencies, potentially for field operations or sensitive environments. The use of stainless steel and adherence to ASTM standards suggest a focus on durability and material quality. The procurement process, while efficient, may not have maximized cost savings for taxpayers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High per-unit cost
Limited competition under SAP
No small business consideration

Positive Signals

Adherence to ASTM standards
Firm Fixed Price contract

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the 'Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing' NAICS code, though the product is primarily stainless steel vacuum bottles. This may indicate a broader classification or a specific manufacturing process. Benchmarking against similar durable goods procurements is advised.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses. Given the nature of the product, there may be opportunities for small businesses to compete on similar future procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would involve ensuring compliance with SAP regulations and the terms of the purchase order.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

High per-unit cost
Limited competition
Lack of small business set-aside
Potential NAICS code mismatch
Short contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2,439 to F & M MICRO PRODUCTS INC. BOTTLE,VACUUM: SIZE-1 QUART +/-3 OUNCES, STAINLESS STEEL INNER & OUTER SHELLS. ALT. CONSTRUCTION, OUTER SHELL MAY BE CARBON STEEL W/PAINTED FINISH. STAINLESS STEEL CONFORM TO ASTM STANDARD #A167,A240 OR COMBINATION. BOTTLE-NARROW MOUTH 2 IN, W/REMOVA

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 $2,439.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the justification for the high per-unit cost of these vacuum bottles, given the award value and quantity?

The high per-unit cost of $813 warrants further investigation. Factors could include specialized material requirements (e.g., specific stainless steel grades, coatings), unique design features, or expedited delivery needs. Without detailed specifications or a comparison to market rates for similar high-quality vacuum bottles, it's difficult to definitively assess value. The contracting officer should have ensured adequate price analysis was performed.

What are the risks associated with procuring specialized equipment under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Procuring under SAP, while efficient for smaller dollar amounts, carries risks. The primary risk is reduced competition, as the process may not reach a broad range of potential vendors. This can lead to higher prices and potentially limit the government's access to the best available solutions or innovations. There's also a risk of inadequate price analysis if not performed diligently.

How effective is the current procurement strategy in ensuring value for money for vacuum insulated bottles?

The effectiveness is questionable due to the high per-unit cost observed. While SAP offers speed, it may not be the most effective method for securing the best value for this type of item, especially if specialized features drive up the price significantly. Future procurements might benefit from broader competition or more rigorous price analysis to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

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: $2,439

Exercised Options: $2,439

Current Obligation: $2,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline