You might call it `` stemwaregate '' , a seemingly extravagant luxury purchase by the U.S. Department of State just before the federal government partially shuts down . A contract worth as much as $ 5 million was awarded to high-end Vermont glass and pottery designer Simon Pearce to design and manufacture glass stemware for U.S. foreign embassies just days before the October 1st government shutdown . State Department spokesperson Marie Harf sought Wednesday to downplay the story . `` [ T ] here was no sort of $ 5 million midnight purchase trying to get it just in under the wire , '' she said . `` This contract was not connected in any way to the shutdown . '' But Harf did acknowledge the contract , which was awarded September 25 , coincided with the end of the government 's fiscal year , at which time many agencies incorporate a `` use it or lose it '' mentality with their funding . A spokesperson for Simon Pearce told CNN the contract is for 12,500 pieces of custom hand-blown glassware to be produced over five years and to be used at foreign embassies . Simon Pearce stemware is n't cheap -- starting at $ 65 per piece . But the spokeswoman said the government has negotiated a `` significant reduction '' in price due to the volume order . The company spokesperson said Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy was instrumental in securing the contract . Simon Pearce expects the contract to allow it to hire many additional workers at its Quechee facility , which was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Irene two years ago . Harf said the purchase reinforces U.S. worldwide diplomacy : `` We 're out there representing the United States , and I think what better way to do that than with a good American company with good American products . '' 5 crazy side effects from the shutdown .
Simon Pearce of UK wins contract for manufacturing . Officials say purchase ` ` not connected '' to shutdown . State ##ment : Good company , good products .