GSA Purchases 200 Pairs of Mechanix Wear Gloves for $4,200, Aiming for Durability and Protection

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,200 ($4.2K)

Contractor: MAY Tool Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $200/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GLOVES,MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SIZE LARG, COLOR BROWN, SYNTHETIC LEATHER PAULM AND FINGER MATERIAL, REINFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR MG-72-10, OR EQUAL.

Place of Performance

Location: PARAMOUNT, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90723

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4,200 to MAY TOOL INC for work described as: GLOVES,MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SIZE LARG, COLOR BROWN, SYNTHETIC LEATHER PAULM AND FINGER MATERIAL, REINFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR MG-72-10, OR EQUAL. Key points: 1. The purchase focuses on durable, synthetic leather gloves with reinforced palms and fingers, indicating a need for protection in specific tasks. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a relatively low dollar value and potentially faster procurement. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. The supplier, MAY TOOL INC, is not identified as a small business, and the data does not indicate if small business set-asides were considered.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The price of $21 per pair ($4,200 / 200 pairs) appears reasonable for specialized work gloves with reinforced synthetic leather. However, without specific details on the exact model or comparable government contracts for similar high-durability gloves, a precise benchmark is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: $21.00

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically allows for more streamlined competition than full and open procedures. The specific method of competition (e.g., RFQ to multiple vendors) is not detailed, but SAP generally aims for price competition among a limited number of sources.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price contract provides cost predictability, and the SAP competition aims for a fair market price, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for these gloves.

Public Impact

Federal employees performing manual labor or requiring hand protection will benefit from the durable and reinforced nature of these gloves. The purchase supports the operational needs of agencies utilizing the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Availability of specialized work gear ensures worker safety and efficiency across various federal tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition method under SAP
No explicit small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract for cost certainty
Focus on durable, protective work gloves
Purchase Order awarded to a known supplier

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the Manufacturing of Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (NAICS 332216) sector, though it's for hand protection equipment. Spending in this category is generally consistent, with government agencies requiring a wide range of tools and safety equipment for various operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or had the opportunity to bid under the SAP competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service is responsible for this procurement. Oversight would involve ensuring the purchase aligns with federal acquisition regulations, the quality of goods meets specifications, and the price is fair and reasonable.

Related Government Programs

Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition transparency
No explicit small business consideration
Potential for better pricing via full and open competition
Unknown lifespan/durability impacting long-term value

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4,200 to MAY TOOL INC. GLOVES,MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SIZE LARG, COLOR BROWN, SYNTHETIC LEATHER PAULM AND FINGER MATERIAL, REINFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR MG-72-10, OR EQUAL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MAY TOOL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4,200.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-04-24.

What specific tasks or environments necessitate the use of synthetic leather gloves with reinforced palms and fingers, and how does this purchase align with agency safety protocols?

The specification for synthetic leather with reinforced palms and fingers suggests use in environments requiring durability, grip, and protection against abrasion or minor impacts. This could include maintenance, logistics, or field operations. Agencies typically have safety protocols that mandate appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on risk assessments for specific job functions. This purchase likely fulfills a requirement identified through such an assessment to ensure worker safety and prevent hand injuries during assigned duties.

Could a broader competition under full and open procedures have yielded a better price or a wider selection of suitable glove manufacturers?

While SAP is designed for efficiency in lower-dollar procurements, a full and open competition might have attracted more bidders, potentially leading to greater price reductions or access to specialized glove technologies. However, the administrative cost and time associated with a larger competition may outweigh the potential savings for a $4,200 purchase. The current limited competition under SAP likely balanced efficiency with achieving a reasonable price for the specified product.

What is the expected lifespan or durability of these specific gloves under typical federal use, and how does this inform the value proposition of the $21 per pair cost?

The expected lifespan is not explicitly stated, but the 'reinforced thumb and index finger' and 'synthetic leather' materials suggest a focus on durability beyond standard work gloves. If these gloves withstand rigorous use for a significant period (e.g., 6-12 months or more depending on intensity), the $21 per pair cost could represent excellent value. Conversely, if they wear out quickly, the value proposition diminishes, and the government might incur higher replacement costs over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing › Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HAND TOOLS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 15145 ILLINOIS AVE, PARAMOUNT, CA, 90723

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,200

Exercised Options: $4,200

Current Obligation: $4,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline