VA awards $318,800 for ammunition to BCI Services Inc. under a competed small purchase procedure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,188 ($3.2K)

Contractor: BCI Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-05-07

Contract Duration: 36 days

Daily Burn Rate: $89/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AMMUNITION FOR VA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DUTY AND TRAINING PURPOSES.

Place of Performance

Location: CONROE, MONTGOMERY County, TEXAS, 77301

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3,188 to BCI SERVICES INC for work described as: AMMUNITION FOR VA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DUTY AND TRAINING PURPOSES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BCI Services Inc. for ammunition, indicating a specific need for duty and training. 2. The contract was competed under the simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on efficiency for smaller dollar amounts. 3. Delivery order issued with a short performance period, implying immediate or near-term requirement for the ammunition. 4. The firm fixed price contract type suggests that the price is set and will not change regardless of the contractor's costs. 5. Texas is the place of performance, potentially indicating regional distribution or training needs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, which is typical for procurements under the SAP threshold.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $318,800 for ammunition appears reasonable given the nature of the goods. Without specific details on the quantity and type of ammunition, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, for duty and training purposes, this amount is within expected ranges for law enforcement agencies. The firm fixed price contract helps manage cost certainty for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders, often three or more, solicited through informal methods. While competed, the SAP process may not achieve the same breadth of competition as full and open competition, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of SAP suggests a streamlined process for procurements below certain dollar thresholds.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP aims to balance efficiency with reasonable pricing. While not as broad as full and open competition, it still provides opportunities for multiple vendors to bid, preventing a single source from dictating terms and ensuring a fair market price is sought.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs Police Department personnel will benefit from the provision of necessary ammunition for their duties. The ammunition will support both daily law enforcement operations and essential training exercises for police officers. The place of performance is Texas, suggesting the ammunition will be supplied to or utilized within facilities in that state. This contract ensures the readiness and operational capability of the VA's law enforcement workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP might not yield the absolute lowest price.
Lack of specific quantity and type details makes precise value assessment challenging.
Short performance period could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Contract was competed, not sole-sourced, indicating some level of market engagement.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Procurement falls within the simplified acquisition threshold, suggesting efficient processing.

Sector Analysis

The market for ammunition manufacturing and distribution is diverse, serving both commercial and government entities. Government contracts for ammunition are common across various agencies, including law enforcement and defense. The value of this specific contract, $318,800, is relatively small within the broader defense and public safety spending landscape, but critical for the operational needs of the VA Police. Comparable spending benchmarks for law enforcement ammunition vary widely based on quantity, caliber, and specific use (duty vs. training).

Small Business Impact

This procurement was not set aside for small businesses, and the contractor, BCI Services Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Given the contract value falls under the simplified acquisition threshold, it is common for such procurements not to have specific small business set-aside requirements, though opportunities may still exist for small businesses to subcontract. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under an existing contract (implied by 'delivery order'), the initial contract vehicle likely underwent a thorough review. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed operational oversight is internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Police Operations
Federal Law Enforcement Ammunition Procurement
Law Enforcement Training Supplies
Small Purchase Procurements

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruption
Quality assurance of ammunition
Timeliness of delivery within short window

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3,188 to BCI SERVICES INC. AMMUNITION FOR VA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DUTY AND TRAINING PURPOSES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BCI SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3,188.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-07.

What specific types and quantities of ammunition are being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact types and quantities of ammunition being procured. It broadly states 'AMMUNITION FOR VA POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR DUTY AND TRAINING PURPOSES.' To conduct a more precise value analysis, details such as caliber (e.g., 9mm, .45 ACP), bullet type (e.g., full metal jacket, hollow point), and the number of rounds for each type would be necessary. This information is crucial for benchmarking against market prices and assessing the value for money.

How does the price of this contract compare to similar ammunition procurements by other federal law enforcement agencies?

A direct comparison of the total contract value ($318,800) to other agencies is difficult without knowing the specific quantities and types of ammunition. However, the contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting it is below the threshold for full and open competition, typically indicating a smaller volume or less complex requirement. Agencies like the FBI, DEA, or other federal police forces procure ammunition regularly. Benchmarking would require comparing per-round costs for similar calibers and specifications, which are not detailed here. The firm fixed price nature suggests the VA sought cost certainty.

What is the track record of BCI Services Inc. in supplying ammunition to government entities?

Information regarding BCI Services Inc.'s specific track record in supplying ammunition to government entities is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous government contracts. Understanding their experience with similar products, delivery timelines, and quality control is essential for evaluating reliability and performance risk associated with this award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, such as supply chain disruptions or quality issues?

Potential risks include supply chain disruptions, which are a general concern in the defense and ammunition market, potentially impacting delivery timelines. Quality control is another risk; ensuring the ammunition meets stringent duty and training standards is paramount. Given the short performance period (delivery order valid from April 1, 2026, to May 7, 2026), timely delivery is critical. The firm fixed price contract shifts some cost risk to the contractor but does not eliminate performance or delivery risks.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the overall cost-effectiveness for the taxpayer?

The use of SAP aims to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden for procurements below certain thresholds (currently $250,000, though this can be higher for certain categories). For the taxpayer, this can lead to cost savings through reduced acquisition process costs. However, SAP typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition, which might result in slightly higher unit prices if competition is less robust. The balance is between administrative savings and potential price premiums due to reduced market reach.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 S FRAZIER ST STE 208, CONROE, TX, 77301

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,188

Exercised Options: $3,188

Current Obligation: $3,188

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C26326D0036

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline