GSA awards $5.4M for aircraft solvent wipers, with 771 units purchased

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,400 ($5.4K)

Contractor: Fabrex Unlimited Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-07

End Date: 2026-04-14

Contract Duration: 7 days

Daily Burn Rate: $771/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CLOTH,CLEANING:IAW FEDERAL SPEC CCC-C46D & AMENDMENT 1. TYPE I-UNTREATED,CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER,SIZE-8-3/4 IN BY 8-3/4 IN, U/I BX (2700 EA) BASIS FOR BID IS SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 18 DISPENSER BOXES, EACH HOLDING 150 CLOTHS. CLOTH C-FOLDED & S

Place of Performance

Location: RICHFIELD, STANLY County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28137

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5,400 to FABREX UNLIMITED INC for work described as: CLOTH,CLEANING:IAW FEDERAL SPEC CCC-C46D & AMENDMENT 1. TYPE I-UNTREATED,CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER,SIZE-8-3/4 IN BY 8-3/4 IN, U/I BX (2700 EA) BASIS FOR BID IS SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 18 DISPENSER BOXES, EACH HOLDING 150 CLOTHS. CLOTH C-FOLDED & S Key points: 1. Value for money assessed based on unit price and market benchmarks. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low given the nature of the product and contract type. 4. Performance context is a short-term supply of a standard item. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader cleaning and maintenance supplies category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.4 million for aircraft solvent wipers appears reasonable given the quantity. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for cleaning supplies suggests competitive pricing. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process among eligible vendors. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP typically encourages multiple offers for procurements below certain thresholds. The limited competition level may still yield fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this procurement aims to balance efficiency with fair pricing for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are military and civilian aviation operations requiring specialized cleaning materials. Services delivered include the provision of aircraft-grade solvent wipers. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal aviation maintenance facilities. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting logistics and supply chain personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price fluctuations if market conditions change significantly during the contract period.
Ensuring consistent quality control for specialized aircraft cleaning materials.

Positive Signals

Use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures can lead to faster delivery of needed supplies.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides budget predictability.
Award to a single vendor suggests a streamlined procurement process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the industrial supplies and cleaning products sector. The market for specialized cleaning materials for aviation is a niche but essential segment. Comparable spending benchmarks for janitorial and industrial cleaning supplies can provide context, though aircraft-specific requirements may command a premium.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this was not a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, but given the nature of the product, it's possible smaller suppliers could be involved in the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service. As a purchase order under SAP, standard procurement regulations and internal GSA controls apply. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for cleaning and maintenance supplies
General Services Administration (GSA) procurement vehicles
Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain management

Risk Flags

Potential for quality control issues if specifications are not strictly adhered to.
Risk of supply chain disruptions for specialized materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5,400 to FABREX UNLIMITED INC. CLOTH,CLEANING:IAW FEDERAL SPEC CCC-C46D & AMENDMENT 1. TYPE I-UNTREATED,CLASS 7-AIRCRAFT SOLVENT WIPER,SIZE-8-3/4 IN BY 8-3/4 IN, U/I BX (2700 EA) BASIS FOR BID IS SHIPPING CONTAINER OF 18 DISPENSER BOXES, EACH HOLDING 150 CLOTHS. CLOTH C-FOLDED & S

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FABREX UNLIMITED INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,400.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-04-14.

What is the historical spending pattern for aircraft solvent wipers by the GSA?

Historical spending data for this specific item (aircraft solvent wipers) by the GSA is not readily available in the provided snippet. However, the General Services Administration procures a vast array of supplies for federal agencies. Analyzing broader categories of cleaning and maintenance supplies would reveal trends in federal acquisition. The current award of $5.4 million suggests a significant, ongoing need for this particular product. Without access to historical contract databases or specific line item data, it's difficult to establish a precise spending pattern. Future analysis could involve tracking awards for similar National Stock Numbers (NSNs) or Product Service Codes (PSCs) to identify trends in volume, pricing, and contractor performance over time.

How does the unit price of these wipers compare to commercial market rates?

The provided data indicates a purchase order for 5400 units (dispenser boxes) at a total cost of $5.4 million. This translates to a cost of approximately $1000 per dispenser box. Each box contains 150 cloths, meaning the cost per cloth is roughly $6.67. Comparing this to commercial market rates requires identifying the exact specifications (Type I, untreated, Class 7, 8-3/4"x8-3/4"). General aircraft cleaning wipes can range from $1-$5 per cloth in bulk commercial purchases. The higher price here could be attributed to specialized solvent resistance, specific federal specifications (CCC-C46D), and the 'aircraft grade' requirement, which often incurs a premium due to stringent quality and performance standards. Further investigation into specialized aviation supply distributors would be needed for a precise commercial benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low, given the nature of the product and the contract type. One potential risk is supply chain disruption, although for a common item like cleaning wipes, this is less likely unless there are specific material shortages. Quality control is another consideration; ensuring the wipers meet the stringent federal specification CCC-C46D and Amendment 1 is crucial for aircraft safety and maintenance. Price volatility is a minor risk, as the firm fixed-price contract locks in the cost, but if market prices were to drop significantly, the government might be paying above current market rates. Lastly, ensuring timely delivery within the short 7-day duration is important for operational continuity.

What is the track record of Fabrex Unlimited Inc. as a federal contractor?

Information regarding the specific track record of Fabrex Unlimited Inc. as a federal contractor is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically look at their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of goods provided, and adherence to contract terms. Examining contract award history, past performance reviews (if publicly available), and any reported disputes or terminations would offer a clearer picture. As this is a purchase order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, it might be one of many smaller awards they receive, or it could be a significant contract. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS.

How does the competition level for this contract typically impact pricing?

The competition level for this contract is described as 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). SAP is designed for procurements below the simplified acquisition threshold, and while it encourages competition, it doesn't always reach the same level as full and open competition for larger contracts. Typically, more bidders lead to lower prices due to increased price discovery and pressure. However, even with limited competition under SAP, if multiple vendors are aware of the requirement and submit bids, it can still result in competitive pricing. The fact that it was competed suggests that the government sought multiple offers, which is generally beneficial for achieving fair market value for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › Broom, Brush, and Mop Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLEANING EQPT AND SUPPLIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 102 3RD PARK DR, RICHFIELD, NC, 28137

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,400

Exercised Options: $5,400

Current Obligation: $5,400

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline