GSA Buys 4,200 Pairs of Extra Large Brown Gloves for $200 Each Under Competed SAP

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 EXTRA LARGE, COLOR BROWN. SYNTHETIC LEATHER PALM AND FINGER MATERIAL. RIENFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR P/N MG-72-011, 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 EXTRA LARGE, COLOR BROWN. SYNTHETIC LEATHER PALM AND FINGER MATERIAL. RIENFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR P/N MG-72-011, OR EQUAL. Key points: 1. The purchase of 4,200 pairs of Mechanix Wear gloves (or equal) at $200 per pair indicates a potentially high unit cost for work gloves. 2. Competition was achieved under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller, expedited procurements. 3. The contract is firm fixed price, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. The supplier, MAY TOOL INC, is not identified as a small business, and the contract does not appear to have small business set-aside provisions.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The unit price of $200 per pair of gloves is significantly higher than typical market prices for comparable work gloves, which usually range from $10-$50 per pair.

Cost Per Unit: $200

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP, which allows for a broader range of competition for acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold. However, the high unit price raises questions about the effectiveness of the price discovery process.

Taxpayer Impact: The high unit cost for gloves represents a potential overpayment of taxpayer funds, as the price appears to be substantially above market value.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential work equipment. The high cost could impact the quantity of equipment that can be procured within budget. This purchase highlights the need for robust price validation, even in simplified acquisition processes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Excessive unit price
Potential for overpayment
Lack of small business participation

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract
Competition achieved

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the Handtool Manufacturing (NAICS 332216) sector. Benchmarks for this specific type of glove procurement are difficult to establish without more detailed specifications, but the price is anomalous for general work gloves.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, MAY TOOL INC, is not listed as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were solicited or participated in the competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of SAP suggests a streamlined process, but the high unit price warrants review by oversight bodies to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and effective use of funds.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Excessive unit price compared to market benchmarks.
Potential for significant overpayment of taxpayer funds.
Lack of clear justification for the high cost in provided data.
Questionable effectiveness of price discovery under SAP for this item.

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 EXTRA LARGE, COLOR BROWN. SYNTHETIC LEATHER PALM AND FINGER MATERIAL. RIENFORCED THUMB AND INDEX FINGER. U/I PG (5 PAIR). MECHANIX WEAR P/N MG-72-011, 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 features or certifications justify the $200 per-pair cost for these extra-large brown synthetic leather gloves?

The provided data lacks specific details on unique features, certifications, or specialized applications that would justify a $200 per-pair cost for work gloves. Standard industrial or tactical gloves typically cost significantly less. Further investigation into the product specifications and intended use is required to understand this pricing anomaly.

What is the risk of this high unit price setting a precedent for future glove procurements within GSA or other agencies?

There is a moderate risk that this high unit price could influence future procurements if not properly scrutinized. If the justification for the price is weak, it could lead to other agencies or contracting officers accepting similar inflated prices, especially if relying on historical data without critical price analysis. Robust price validation is key to mitigating this risk.

How effectively does the SAP process ensure value for money when dealing with potentially high-cost, specialized items like these gloves?

The effectiveness of SAP in ensuring value for money depends heavily on the contracting officer's diligence in price analysis and market research. While SAP is designed for efficiency, it may not always capture the full spectrum of competition or allow for the in-depth negotiation possible in larger contract vehicles. In this case, the high price suggests a potential gap in the value assessment.

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