DoD's $22.1M SCBA with PAPR contract awarded to Mine Safety Appliances Company in 2008

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,136,493 ($22.1M)

Contractor: Mine Safety Appliances Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-04-04

End Date: 2008-09-04

Contract Duration: 153 days

Daily Burn Rate: $144.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SCBA WITH PAPR

Place of Performance

Location: MURRYSVILLE, WESTMORELAND County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15668

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.1 million to MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY for work described as: SCBA WITH PAPR Key points: 1. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract was for respiratory protection equipment, a critical safety item for military personnel. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, indicating a specific branch's need. 4. The contract duration was relatively short at 153 days. 5. The contractor, Mine Safety Appliances Company, is a known entity in safety equipment manufacturing. 6. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price, which transfers cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $22.1 million for respiratory protection equipment appears reasonable given the quantity and type of equipment likely procured. However, without specific unit counts or detailed specifications, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for SCBA with PAPR systems would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing was competitive. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government aimed to control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the quality and suitability of the delivered equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to offer their best pricing and terms.

Public Impact

Military personnel, particularly those in hazardous environments, benefit from the provision of advanced respiratory protection. The contract ensures the availability of critical safety equipment for the Department of the Air Force. The geographic impact is primarily within Air Force installations where the equipment is deployed. Workforce implications include ensuring the safety and readiness of airmen operating in potentially dangerous conditions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the equipment post-delivery.
The short contract duration might indicate a one-time need or a gap-filling measure rather than a long-term sustainment strategy.
No information is provided on potential sustainment or maintenance costs beyond the initial award.
The specific model and capabilities of the SCBA with PAPR are not detailed, limiting technical assessment.
The absence of small business participation raises questions about broader economic impact.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The contractor, Mine Safety Appliances Company, is a reputable manufacturer in the safety equipment sector.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps in budget certainty and cost control for the government.
The procurement addresses a critical safety need for military personnel.
The contract was awarded by a major federal agency, the Department of Defense (Air Force).

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader defense industrial base, specifically concerning the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). The market for respiratory protection systems, including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR), is specialized, with a few key manufacturers dominating. Spending in this category is driven by military readiness requirements, occupational safety regulations, and the need to equip personnel for diverse operational environments. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other defense contracts for similar PPE or within civilian occupational safety equipment procurements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside, as indicated by the 'sb': false field. Furthermore, the 'aw': 'DO' (Department of Defense) and 'no': 5 (number of offers) suggest a large-scale procurement likely dominated by established manufacturers. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Mine Safety Appliances Company, likely fulfilled the contract requirements directly or through its own supply chain, with limited direct benefit to the small business ecosystem for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. As a Firm Fixed Price contract, the primary oversight would focus on ensuring delivery of the specified goods in accordance with the contract terms and schedule. Accountability measures would include contract closeout procedures and performance evaluations. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG, which provide basic details of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Procurement
Air Force Combat Support Equipment
Respiratory Protection Systems
Defense Industrial Base Supplies

Risk Flags

Potential for outdated technology given the 2008 award date.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes post-award assessment difficult.
No information on sustainment or long-term support costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.1 million to MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY. SCBA WITH PAPR

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 (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-04-04. End: 2008-09-04.

What specific models and quantities of SCBA with PAPR were procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact models or quantities of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) procured under this contract. The National Stock Number (NSN) '339113' pertains to 'Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing,' which is a broad category. Without further details, it's impossible to determine the precise technical specifications, capabilities, or the exact number of units acquired. This information is crucial for a detailed technical assessment and for comparing the value proposition against industry standards or other similar procurements.

How does the $22.1 million contract value compare to other similar procurements for SCBA with PAPR systems by the DoD?

Comparing the $22.1 million contract value requires access to detailed data on similar procurements, including quantities, specifications, and award dates. Given this contract's award in 2008, current market prices may differ significantly due to inflation, technological advancements, and changes in manufacturing costs. However, for a contract of this magnitude awarded over a decade ago, it suggests a substantial acquisition. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts for comparable SCBA/PAPR systems awarded around the same period by the DoD or other federal agencies, analyze the unit costs, and account for any differences in technical requirements or contract types.

What is the track record of Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) in fulfilling government contracts for respiratory protection?

Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) is a well-established and reputable manufacturer of safety equipment, including respiratory protection systems. They have a long history of supplying products to government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While this specific contract was awarded in 2008, MSA has continued to be a significant player in the government contracting space for similar items. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to produce and deliver high-quality safety equipment. However, a comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes on previous government contracts.

What were the primary performance requirements and evaluation criteria for this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance requirements or evaluation criteria used for this contract. Typically, for respiratory protection equipment, performance requirements would include factors such as protection factors, air supply duration, weight, comfort, durability, and compliance with relevant safety standards (e.g., NIOSH certification). Evaluation criteria would likely have included a combination of technical merit, past performance, price, and potentially small business utilization. As a Firm Fixed Price contract awarded under full and open competition, the evaluation likely weighed technical compliance and price heavily.

What is the historical spending trend for SCBA with PAPR systems by the Department of the Air Force?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract awarded in 2008. To establish a historical spending trend for SCBA with PAPR systems by the Department of the Air Force, a comprehensive analysis of contract awards over multiple years would be necessary. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS-NG or USASpending.gov) for all contracts related to SCBA and PAPR systems awarded by the Air Force, filtering by relevant North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes or Product Service Codes (PSCs). Analyzing the total obligated amounts, number of contracts, and average award values over time would reveal spending patterns, identify key contractors, and indicate whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable.

Were there any identified risks or concerns associated with this specific contract award or the contractor?

The provided data does not explicitly list any risks or concerns associated with this specific contract award or Mine Safety Appliances Company at the time of the 2008 award. However, general risks associated with procuring complex safety equipment like SCBA with PAPR could include potential for equipment malfunction, inadequate fit or comfort for users, supply chain disruptions, or failure to meet evolving safety standards. Without specific performance feedback or post-award reviews, it's difficult to ascertain if any such risks materialized. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, but performance risk remains.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FIRE/RESCUE/SAFETY; ENVIRO PROTECT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

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, 12

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,136,493

Exercised Options: $22,136,493

Current Obligation: $22,136,493

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA853306D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline