Department of Defense awards $16.9M for First Article Testing to GMA Cover Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,928,740 ($16.9M)
Contractor: GMA Cover Corp.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-11-28
End Date: 2011-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,188 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIRST ARTICLE TESTING
Place of Performance
Location: PORT HURON, ST. CLAIR County, MICHIGAN, 48060
State: Michigan Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.9 million to GMA COVER CORP. for work described as: FIRST ARTICLE TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to GMA Cover Corp. for First Article Testing. 2. The contract value is $16.9 million. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Army, part of the Department of Defense. 4. Contract duration was 1188 days. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.9 million for First Article Testing over nearly 3 years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar specialized testing contracts is difficult without more specific details on the 'first article' being tested.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely ensured taxpayers received fair value for the services rendered, although the specific cost-effectiveness relative to alternatives is not detailed.
Public Impact
Supports Department of Defense readiness and acquisition processes. Ensures quality and compliance of new or modified defense articles. Impacts small businesses indirectly through the defense supply chain.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (1188 days) may indicate potential for cost overruns or scope creep.
- Lack of specific details on the 'first article' makes independent cost assessment challenging.
- Awarded to a single firm, though under full and open competition.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, promoting market fairness.
- Fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty if scope is well-defined.
- Supports critical defense acquisition and testing functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under miscellaneous textile product manufacturing, a niche sector within the broader industrial manufacturing landscape. Spending in this area is typically driven by specific defense or specialized industrial needs rather than broad market trends.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor is not identified as a small business, there's potential for subcontracting opportunities within the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, implying oversight from this agency. Further details on performance monitoring and accountability mechanisms would be needed for a comprehensive oversight assessment.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to long duration.
- Lack of specific item details hinders independent cost analysis.
- Limited insight into the number of bidders and competitive intensity.
- No indication of small business participation as prime or significant subcontractor.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-textile-product-, department-of-defense, mi, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.9 million to GMA COVER CORP.. FIRST ARTICLE TESTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GMA COVER CORP..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-11-28. End: 2011-02-28.
What specific 'first article' was tested under this contract, and what were the key performance metrics?
The specific 'first article' tested is not detailed in the provided data. First Article Testing (FAT) is a critical quality assurance process to verify that a production process yields a product that conforms to all design and specification requirements before large-scale production begins. Key performance metrics typically include adherence to specifications, material integrity, functionality, and manufacturability.
How did the bidding process ensure competitive pricing for this specialized testing service?
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This competitive environment is designed to drive down prices as contractors vie for the award. However, the effectiveness of price discovery also depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the number and quality of bids received.
What is the long-term strategic value of this First Article Testing contract for the Department of Defense?
The strategic value lies in ensuring the quality and reliability of newly developed or modified defense materiel before mass production. This mitigates risks of costly failures, recalls, or performance issues in the field, ultimately enhancing operational readiness and safeguarding the effectiveness of military assets. It's a foundational step in the acquisition lifecycle.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Textile Product Mills › All Other Miscellaneous Textile Product Mills
Product/Service Code: WEAPONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2440 20TH ST, PORT HURON, MI, 09
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,928,740
Exercised Options: $16,928,740
Current Obligation: $16,928,740
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DC011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-11-28
Current End Date: 2011-02-28
Potential End Date: 2011-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-10-19
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