FBI's $1.15B IDIQ for ballistic helmets awarded to Galvion Ltd. for fugitive apprehension

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,490 ($11.5K)

Contractor: Galvion Ltd

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-08-12

End Date: 2026-02-27

Contract Duration: 199 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY25 IOD GALVION HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS (FBI IDIQ 0480)

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, ORLEANS County, VERMONT, 05855

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $11,490 to GALVION LTD for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY25 IOD GALVION HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS (FBI IDIQ 0480) Key points: 1. This contract supports a critical law enforcement mission, ensuring officer safety during high-risk operations. 2. The award to Galvion Ltd. signifies a significant procurement for advanced personal protective equipment. 3. The contract's duration of 199 days suggests a focused, short-term need for these specific helmets. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 5. The use of an IDIQ vehicle allows for flexibility in ordering quantities as needed by the U.S. Marshals Service. 6. The procurement falls under the 'Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the exact quantity and specific helmet model ordered. However, the overall IDIQ ceiling of $1.15 billion indicates a substantial, long-term commitment to procuring ballistic helmets. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that pricing was determined at the time of the IDIQ award or this specific order, providing a degree of cost control. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit cost of the helmets to similar government or commercial procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the initial solicitation was open, specific sources were later excluded, potentially due to specialized requirements or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'limited' competition level suggests that not all potential offerors were considered or able to participate, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers if alternative, more competitive sources were available but excluded.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement officers, specifically U.S. Marshals Service agents, will be equipped with advanced ballistic protection. The services delivered include the provision of critical personal protective equipment essential for apprehending fugitives. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting fugitive apprehension operations across the United States. This contract ensures the safety and operational readiness of law enforcement personnel engaged in dangerous duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could lead to higher prices than a fully open process.
The specific reasons for excluding sources are not detailed, raising questions about the breadth of competition.
Reliance on a single IDIQ awardee for a critical item like ballistic helmets could pose supply chain risks if the contractor faces production issues.

Positive Signals

The contract supports a vital law enforcement mission, directly contributing to public safety.
The use of an IDIQ allows for efficient procurement of necessary equipment as needs arise.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for this specific order.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of ballistic helmets falls within the broader defense and public safety equipment sector. This sector is characterized by stringent performance requirements, advanced materials, and often involves specialized manufacturers. The market size for ballistic protection is significant, driven by military, law enforcement, and security needs globally. This contract represents a specific, albeit large, procurement within this specialized niche, likely involving advanced materials and design.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides, as the award is to Galvion Ltd., a known defense contractor. The contract does not specify subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular delivery order appears minimal, unless Galvion Ltd. voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The U.S. Marshals Service, under the Department of Justice, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would include monitoring delivery schedules, ensuring compliance with specifications, and managing payments. Accountability is maintained through the contract terms and the potential for audits. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though specific details of the competition and pricing may be limited.

Related Government Programs

FBI Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
Department of Justice Law Enforcement Equipment
U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Support
Ballistic Helmet and Body Armor Contracts
Department of Defense Personal Protective Equipment

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential Supply Chain Risk
Officer Safety Equipment Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $11,490 to GALVION LTD. MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY25 IOD GALVION HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS (FBI IDIQ 0480)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GALVION LTD.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,490.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-12. End: 2026-02-27.

What is the specific model of the Galvion Hellbender ballistic helmet being procured, and what are its key performance specifications?

The provided data does not specify the exact model of the Galvion Hellbender ballistic helmet or its detailed performance specifications. The 'HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS' designation suggests a product line, but specific technical details such as material composition, protection levels (e.g., NIJ standards), weight, and coverage area are not included. To assess the value and suitability of the procurement, a review of the technical specifications outlined in the IDIQ contract or the specific delivery order would be necessary. These specifications would detail the required ballistic resistance, fragmentation protection, and other performance criteria relevant to the U.S. Marshals Service's operational needs for fugitive apprehension.

How does the pricing of these ballistic helmets compare to similar procurements by other federal agencies or law enforcement organizations?

Direct comparison of pricing is difficult without the specific unit cost for this delivery order. The IDIQ ceiling of $1.15 billion is a maximum potential value, not the actual amount spent. To benchmark pricing, one would need to identify the quantity of helmets ordered and the corresponding price. This unit price could then be compared against recent awards for similar ballistic helmets from other agencies like the Department of Defense or state/local law enforcement agencies. Factors such as volume discounts, specific feature sets, and manufacturer margins would influence these comparisons. The 'limited' competition aspect might also suggest a less competitive price point than if it were fully open.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on Galvion Ltd. for this critical law enforcement equipment?

Primary risks include supply chain disruptions, potential quality control issues, and contractor performance failures. If Galvion Ltd. experiences manufacturing delays, material shortages, or financial instability, the U.S. Marshals Service could face shortages of essential protective gear. Dependence on a single supplier, even under an IDIQ, can create vulnerabilities. Furthermore, ensuring consistent quality and adherence to stringent ballistic protection standards is paramount; any lapse could have severe consequences for officer safety. The 'limited' competition also introduces a risk that alternative, potentially more reliable or cost-effective suppliers were not considered.

What is the historical spending pattern for ballistic helmets by the U.S. Marshals Service or the FBI?

Historical spending data for ballistic helmets by the U.S. Marshals Service or the FBI is not provided in the current data. However, the establishment of a $1.15 billion IDIQ vehicle suggests a significant and ongoing requirement for these items. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze past contracts for body armor and helmets awarded to these agencies over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in spending levels, types of equipment procured, and potentially the primary contractors utilized, providing context for the current large-scale IDIQ.

What specific operational scenarios necessitate the 'HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS' under the FBI's fugitive apprehension mission?

The 'HELLBENDER BALLISTIC HELMETS' are likely procured to provide enhanced head protection for U.S. Marshals Service agents during high-risk fugitive apprehension operations. These scenarios could include situations involving potential gunfire, explosive devices, or other threats where standard protective gear might be insufficient. Fugitive apprehension often involves confronting dangerous individuals in unpredictable environments, making advanced ballistic protection crucial for agent safety. The helmets would be expected to offer protection against various ballistic threats and potentially fragmentation, thereby mitigating serious injury or fatality during these critical missions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 160 CORPORATE DR, PORTSMOUTH, NH, 03801

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,490

Exercised Options: $11,490

Current Obligation: $11,490

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06725D0000480

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline