DOJ awards $24M PPE contract to US21 INC, a non-competed BPA call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,980 ($24.0K)

Contractor: US21 Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 121 days

Daily Burn Rate: $198/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE: SLA 55- PPE REQUESTOR: MATTHEW P FISCHER REF AWARD/BPA: 15DDHQ21A00000019 DELIVERY DATE: 07/31/2026

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $23,980.07 to US21 INC for work described as: TITLE: SLA 55- PPE REQUESTOR: MATTHEW P FISCHER REF AWARD/BPA: 15DDHQ21A00000019 DELIVERY DATE: 07/31/2026 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA call, indicating potential for streamlined procurement but raising questions about competition. 2. The fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 3. Delivery extends to July 2026, covering a significant period for essential supplies. 4. The award to a single vendor without open competition may limit price discovery. 5. The NAICS code 423990 points to wholesale trade of miscellaneous durable goods. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting larger market participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23.98 million for a 121-day period (from April 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026) for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appears substantial. Without specific details on the quantity and type of PPE, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, given the 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, it's difficult to benchmark against market rates or similar competitive contracts to definitively assess if the pricing is optimal. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded as a BPA Call under BPA number 15DDHQ21A00000019. While the BPA itself may have been competed, the individual call was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). This suggests that the initial BPA established terms and conditions, but the specific award for this requirement was likely a directed award or limited competition among pre-qualified vendors on the BPA. The number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, making it difficult to assess the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition for this BPA call means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible prices that could have been achieved through a fully open and competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely personnel within the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who require Personal Protective Equipment. The contract ensures the availability of essential PPE, supporting the operational safety of DEA staff. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting DEA operations nationwide. Workforce implications include ensuring the safety and readiness of DEA personnel through adequate protective gear.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of open competition for this specific BPA call limits price discovery and potential savings for taxpayers.
The contract duration and value warrant closer scrutiny to ensure continued value and performance.
Absence of small business set-aside raises questions about opportunities for smaller businesses in this procurement.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA can streamline the procurement process for recurring needs.
The firm fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty to the government.
The award ensures the provision of critical PPE, supporting agency operations and personnel safety.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls under the wholesale trade of miscellaneous durable goods (NAICS 423990), which includes a wide range of products not elsewhere classified. In the context of federal spending, this sector often supports agencies' needs for operational supplies and equipment. The market for PPE is diverse, with many suppliers ranging from large manufacturers to specialized distributors. The value of this contract, approximately $24 million, is significant within this category, suggesting a substantial quantity or high-value specialized PPE is being procured.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a company that may not be a small business, and opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless US21 INC voluntarily engages them for subcontracting. The lack of a set-aside means that the competition was likely open to all eligible businesses, potentially favoring larger entities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement oversight and the Drug Enforcement Administration's program management. The contract's performance and adherence to terms would be monitored by the contracting officer's representative (COR). Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Contracts
Drug Enforcement Administration Procurements
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Contracts
Wholesale Trade Services
Base Period Agreements (BPA)

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Lack of Detailed Itemization
Potential for Overpricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $23,980.07 to US21 INC. TITLE: SLA 55- PPE REQUESTOR: MATTHEW P FISCHER REF AWARD/BPA: 15DDHQ21A00000019 DELIVERY DATE: 07/31/2026

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is US21 INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23,980.07.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What specific types and quantities of PPE are included in this $23.98 million contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types and quantities of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) covered under this contract. The contract value of $23.98 million is for the period of April 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026. To understand the value proposition, a detailed breakdown of the PPE items, their specifications, and the quantities ordered would be necessary. Without this information, it is difficult to assess if the price per unit or the overall value is competitive or appropriate for the goods being procured. Further analysis would require access to the contract's statement of work or delivery orders.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar PPE contracts awarded by the government?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $23.98 million PPE contract against similar government awards is challenging without specific details on the PPE items. The contract was awarded via a BPA Call and was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a potentially limited competitive landscape for this specific award. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts for identical or highly similar PPE items, considering factors like quantity, quality standards (e.g., NIOSH approval for respirators), and delivery timelines. Publicly available contract databases can be used to search for comparable awards, but the lack of detailed itemization in the provided data limits the accuracy of such comparisons.

What is the track record of US21 INC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for PPE?

Information regarding the specific track record of US21 INC in fulfilling government contracts, especially for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), is not detailed in the provided data. As the award was made via a BPA Call, it implies US21 INC was likely an established vendor on the parent BPA. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the number and value of previous government awards, and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Without this external data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and past performance.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract without full and open competition?

Awarding this contract without full and open competition, even through a BPA call, carries several potential risks. Primarily, it limits the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing due to reduced market pressure. This could lead to paying a premium for the PPE. Additionally, a lack of broad competition might mean the government misses out on innovative solutions or higher quality products offered by vendors who were not part of the initial BPA or this specific call. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the chosen vendor's pricing or performance deteriorates over time, as re-competing may be difficult or costly.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for PPE within the Department of Justice or DEA?

This $23.98 million contract for PPE represents a significant, albeit short-term (121 days), investment by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). To understand its place in broader spending patterns, historical data on DEA's PPE procurement would be essential. This includes analyzing annual spending on similar items, the number of contracts awarded, and the average contract values. Comparing this award's value and duration to previous years can indicate whether spending on PPE is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. It also helps determine if this is a routine replenishment contract or a response to a specific surge in demand or policy change.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers › Other Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2721 PROSPERITY AVE STE 300, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,980

Exercised Options: $23,980

Current Obligation: $23,980

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15DDHQ21A00000019

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline