DoD's $28.7M contract for personal armor awarded to Mine Safety Appliances Company shows fair competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,726,253 ($28.7M)

Contractor: Mine Safety Appliances Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-08-24

End Date: 2010-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,848 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TAS::21 2020::TAS 200511!501123!2100!W911QY!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W911QY05D0002 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20050824!20070228!086673175!086673175!004321865!N!MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY!3880 MEADOWBROOK RD !MURRYSVILLE !PA!15668!52432!129!42!MURRYSVILLE !WESTMORELAND !PENN !+000027934068!N!N!000000000000!8470!ARMOR, PERSONAL !A9 !TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND EQUIPAGE !000 !* !314999!E! !5!B!S! ! !D!20100824!B! ! !A! !A!Y!J!2!007!B! !A!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !C!C!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: MURRYSVILLE, WESTMORELAND County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15668

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.7 million to MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY for work described as: TAS::21 2020::TAS 200511!501123!2100!W911QY!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W911QY05D0002 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20050824!20070228!086673175!086673175!004321865!N!MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY!3880 MEADOWBROOK RD !MURRYSVILLE !PA!15668!52432!129!42!MURRYSV… Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of over 5 years suggests a long-term need for the specified equipment. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The procurement falls under the 'Armor, Personal' category, crucial for soldier protection. 5. The awardee, Mine Safety Appliances Company, has a significant presence in the defense supply chain. 6. The contract was issued as a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $28.7 million for personal armor over a period of approximately 5 years appears reasonable given the nature of defense equipment procurement. Without specific unit cost data or direct comparisons to identical items from other vendors, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the use of firm-fixed-price terms suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically drives prices down.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, meaning that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The record indicates there were 7 bids received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive environment like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government, as contractors vie to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more competitive price than if it had been awarded through a sole-source or limited competition process.

Public Impact

Service members requiring personal protective equipment will benefit from this contract. The contract ensures the supply of essential personal armor, contributing to soldier safety and operational readiness. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational theaters. The contract supports jobs within the defense manufacturing sector, specifically in textile and equipage production.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific unit cost data makes detailed value analysis difficult.
The long contract duration could lead to potential obsolescence of technology if not managed proactively.
Reliance on a single awardee for a critical item like personal armor could pose supply chain risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
The contract was awarded to a known entity in the defense sector.
Multiple bids were received, indicating market interest and competition.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of personal armor falls within the broader defense industrial base, specifically the 'Textiles, Clothing, and Equipage' sector. This sector is critical for providing essential gear to military personnel. The market for personal protective equipment is highly specialized, with a limited number of manufacturers capable of meeting stringent military specifications. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without specific item details, but it represents a significant investment in soldier survivability within the defense budget.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. The awardee, Mine Safety Appliances Company, is a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were mandated or pursued as part of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which provides contract administration services to the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and verifying delivery of goods. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
Defense Logistics Agency Clothing and Textiles
Tactical Gear and Apparel Contracts
Body Armor and Ballistic Protection Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence over the contract's long duration.
Lack of detailed unit cost data hinders precise value assessment.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical equipment could pose supply chain risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.7 million to MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY. TAS::21 2020::TAS 200511!501123!2100!W911QY!USA MATERIEL COMMAND ACQUISITION!W911QY05D0002 !A!N! !N!0001 ! !20050824!20070228!086673175!086673175!004321865!N!MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY!3880 MEADOWBROOK RD !MURRYSVILLE !PA!15668!52432!129!42!MURRYSVILLE !WESTMORELAND !PENN !+000027934068!N!N!000000000000!8470!ARMOR, PERSONAL !A9 !TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND EQUIPAGE !000 !* !314999!E

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-24. End: 2010-09-15.

What is the specific type of personal armor procured under this contract, and what are its technical specifications?

The provided data indicates the Product Service Code (PSC) is 8470, which corresponds to 'Armor, Personal'. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 314999, 'All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills'. While these codes provide a general category, they do not specify the exact type of personal armor (e.g., body armor plates, helmets, vests) or its detailed technical specifications, such as ballistic protection levels (e.g., NIJ standards), material composition, or weight. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or technical exhibits would be required to ascertain these specifics.

How does the per-unit cost of this personal armor compare to similar items procured by the DoD or other federal agencies?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost information, only the total contract value of $28,726,253. To compare per-unit costs, one would need to know the quantity of items procured under this contract. Without the quantity, a direct per-unit cost benchmark is impossible. Additionally, comparing 'personal armor' is broad, as different types (e.g., soft armor, hard plates, helmets) have vastly different cost structures and performance characteristics. A meaningful comparison would require identifying the exact item, its specifications, and the quantity purchased, then cross-referencing with similar procurements in databases like FPDS or GSA Advantage.

What is Mine Safety Appliances Company's track record with Department of Defense contracts, particularly for personal armor?

Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) has a history of contracting with the Department of Defense. The provided data shows this specific contract (W911QY05D0002) awarded in 2005 for personal armor. A deeper dive into contract databases would reveal the full scope of MSA's DoD contract history, including other awards for similar or different types of equipment, their performance ratings, and any past issues or successes. Their presence as an awardee in this instance suggests they possess the capability and certifications required for supplying defense-related safety and protective equipment.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Armor, Personal' (PSC 8470) by the Department of Defense over the last five fiscal years?

The provided data is for a single contract awarded in 2005. To analyze historical spending trends for PSC 8470, one would need to query a comprehensive federal procurement database (like FPDS) for all contracts awarded under this PSC code by the Department of Defense across multiple fiscal years. This would involve filtering by agency (DoD components), PSC (8470), and date range. Aggregating the total award amounts for each fiscal year would reveal spending patterns, identifying any increases, decreases, or significant fluctuations in investment in personal armor over time.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications associated with this specific $28.7 million award?

The provided data snippet does not detail contract modifications or performance issues. It lists the award date (2005-08-24), the original end date (2007-02-28), and a subsequent end date (2010-09-15), indicating a duration of over 5 years (1848 days). The presence of a later end date suggests potential modifications or extensions. To determine if there were performance issues or significant modifications (e.g., change orders, scope adjustments, termination for default), one would need to access the full contract file or detailed contract modification records from the relevant contracting agency.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' (AW) status for this contract?

The 'AW' designation signifies that this award was a 'Delivery Order'. This means the contract itself was likely awarded under a larger, pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of contract vehicle. The government establishes these overarching contracts with terms and conditions, and then issues individual delivery orders against them as specific needs arise and funding becomes available. This approach allows for flexibility and streamlined procurement for recurring needs, rather than negotiating a new contract for each individual purchase.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Textile Product Mills › All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills

Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mine Safety Appliances Company, LLC (UEI: 004321865)

Address: 3880 MEADOWBROOK RD, MURRYSVILLE, PA, 15668

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911QY05D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline