Justice Department awards $37.3M for fugitive apprehension body armor, with a 354-day delivery timeline

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,271 ($37.3K)

Contractor: Hardwire LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-03-23

Contract Duration: 354 days

Daily Burn Rate: $105/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY26 TD 26107 ULV SOFT BODY ARMOR BDUSMI 2602 (FBI 0083)

Place of Performance

Location: POCOMOKE CITY, WORCESTER County, MARYLAND, 21851

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $37,271 to HARDWIRE LLC for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY26 TD 26107 ULV SOFT BODY ARMOR BDUSMI 2602 (FBI 0083) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential protective gear for high-risk law enforcement operations. 2. Sole awardee suggests potential for limited market competition or specialized capabilities. 3. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs for the government. 4. Delivery order mechanism indicates a specific need within a broader framework. 5. Geographic focus on Maryland for delivery, though operational use is nationwide. 6. Contract duration aligns with anticipated operational requirements for the specified period.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $37.3 million for body armor appears reasonable given the specialized nature of law enforcement equipment and the 'mission critical' designation. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for tactical body armor is challenging without specific model and protection level details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor, HARDWIRE LLC, has committed to a specific price, which is generally favorable for the government in managing cost certainty. The award amount is within the typical range for significant procurements of this type.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the data shows a single awardee (HARDWIRE LLC), this does not necessarily imply a lack of competition during the solicitation phase. It could mean that only one offer met all the technical and price requirements, or that HARDWIRE LLC provided the best value. Further details on the number of bids received would provide a clearer picture of the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to bid, potentially driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best possible value. Even with a single award, the competitive process itself helps establish a market price.

Public Impact

Directly supports U.S. Marshals Service operations in apprehending fugitives nationwide. Enhances officer safety by providing essential protective equipment. Ensures operational readiness for a critical federal law enforcement agency. Potential indirect benefit to public safety through effective fugitive apprehension.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on the specific protective capabilities and standards met by the body armor.
Lack of detail on the number of bids received during the full and open competition.
Potential for sole-source reliance on HARDWIRE LLC for future specialized needs if they are the only qualified provider.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust initial bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Designated as 'mission critical,' highlighting its importance for law enforcement safety and effectiveness.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense and public safety apparel manufacturing sector. The market for law enforcement protective gear, including body armor, is specialized, with a focus on meeting stringent performance and safety standards. Spending in this area is driven by the needs of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed specifications, but significant procurements for tactical gear can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if HARDWIRE LLC engages small businesses for parts of the fulfillment. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service, the end-user agency, and the Department of Justice's contracting and legal departments. As a delivery order under an existing framework (implied by 'TD' and 'BDUSMI'), there may be established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and quality assurance processes are typically internal to the agency and contractor.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement Equipment Procurement
Department of Justice Contracts
U.S. Marshals Service Operations
Tactical Body Armor Procurement
Apparel Manufacturing Contracts

Risk Flags

Mission Critical Designation
Single Awardee Identified
Limited Performance Data Available
Lack of Specific Technical Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $37,271 to HARDWIRE LLC. MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES FY26 TD 26107 ULV SOFT BODY ARMOR BDUSMI 2602 (FBI 0083)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARDWIRE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37,271.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-03-23.

What specific type and level of ballistic protection does the ULV soft body armor provide?

The provided data does not specify the exact level of ballistic protection (e.g., NIJ standards like Level II, IIIA, III, or IV) offered by the ULV soft body armor. This information is crucial for understanding the effectiveness of the gear in protecting officers against various threats. Federal agencies typically procure body armor based on National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards, which define the threat levels the armor can withstand. Without this detail, a full assessment of the value and suitability of the procured armor is limited. Future analysis should seek to identify the specific NIJ compliance level to ensure it meets the operational requirements for apprehending fugitives.

How many bids were received during the 'full and open competition' for this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' but does not specify the number of bids received. This detail is important for assessing the true level of competition and its potential impact on pricing. A high number of bids typically suggests robust market interest and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids, even under full and open competition, might indicate limited market capacity, specialized requirements that only a few firms can meet, or potential barriers to entry. Understanding the bid count would provide better insight into whether the government secured the best possible value through competitive pressure.

What is the historical spending pattern for body armor by the U.S. Marshals Service?

The provided data focuses on a single FY26 delivery order and does not offer historical spending patterns for body armor by the U.S. Marshals Service. To establish a comprehensive understanding, one would need to analyze contract awards over several fiscal years. Key metrics to examine would include the total annual spending on body armor, the number of contracts awarded, the primary awardees, and the average price per unit or per vest. Such analysis would reveal trends in procurement, identify potential increases or decreases in spending, and highlight any shifts in awarded contractors or contract types, providing context for the current $37.3 million award.

Does HARDWIRE LLC have a track record of performance with the U.S. Marshals Service or other federal agencies for similar equipment?

The provided data identifies HARDWIRE LLC as the contractor but does not include information on their past performance or track record with the U.S. Marshals Service or other federal agencies. Assessing a contractor's performance history is critical for evaluating risk and ensuring mission success. This would typically involve reviewing past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A strong performance record suggests reliability and capability, while a poor record could indicate potential risks for this current 'mission critical' procurement.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'mission critical' designation for this body armor procurement?

The 'mission critical' designation implies that the timely delivery and reliable performance of this body armor are essential for the successful execution of the U.S. Marshals Service's core functions, particularly fugitive apprehension. Risks associated with this designation include potential mission failure or compromised officer safety if the armor is defective, delivered late, or does not meet required protection standards. This could lead to increased danger for law enforcement officers and potentially allow fugitives to evade capture. The government's reliance on a single awardee for this critical item also introduces supply chain risk, as any disruption with HARDWIRE LLC could have immediate and severe operational consequences.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1947 CLARKE AVE, POCOMOKE CITY, MD, 21851

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,271

Exercised Options: $37,271

Current Obligation: $37,271

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15F06725D0000083

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline