FEMA Spends $9,924 on Branded Responder Clothing via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,925 ($9.9K)
Contractor: Workwear Outfitters, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2025-01-27
End Date: 2026-04-07
Contract Duration: 435 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO PROCURE FEMA BRANDED CLOTHING FOR RESPONDERS TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED AND PROTECTED FROM POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $9,924.53 to WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO PROCURE FEMA BRANDED CLOTHING FOR RESPONDERS TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED AND PROTECTED FROM POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS. Key points: 1. Procurement focuses on easily identifying FEMA responders and providing protection. 2. The contract was awarded to Workwear Outfitters, LLC under full and open competition. 3. Spending is relatively low, suggesting a targeted need for specific apparel. 4. The sector involves clothing wholesale, a common area for government procurement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $9,924.53 for branded clothing appears reasonable for a specialized government order. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for uniforms or specialized apparel would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust process for price discovery and vendor selection. This method generally leads to competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the relatively small contract value, ensuring funds are used efficiently for essential responder identification and protection.
Public Impact
Ensures clear identification of FEMA personnel during critical response operations. Provides responders with appropriate attire for potentially hazardous environments. Supports the operational readiness and safety of emergency response teams. Enhances public trust through visible and professional responder presence.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed specifications on hazardous environment protection.
- Potential for limited vendor pool for highly specialized protective clothing.
Positive Signals
- Clear need for responder identification and safety.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Relatively low contract value minimizes financial risk.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the 'Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers' sector. Government spending in apparel often focuses on uniforms, protective gear, and general workwear, with benchmarks varying widely based on material and specialization.
Small Business Impact
While this specific contract was awarded to Workwear Outfitters, LLC, the 'full and open competition' clause theoretically allows for small business participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were actively solicited or participated in the bidding process.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security, specifically FEMA, is responsible for this procurement. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts, including performance monitoring and financial audits, would apply to ensure proper execution and accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific details on hazardous environment protection capabilities.
- Potential for branding to inflate unit costs.
- Need for clarity on long-term supply strategy.
- Limited information on small business participation in the competition.
Tags
men-s-and-boys-clothing-and-furnishings-, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $9,924.53 to WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO PROCURE FEMA BRANDED CLOTHING FOR RESPONDERS TO BE EASILY IDENTIFIED AND PROTECTED FROM POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9,924.53.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-27. End: 2026-04-07.
What specific hazardous environments are these clothes intended to protect against, and does the current apparel meet those specific requirements?
The data indicates protection from 'potentially hazardous environments' but lacks specificity. A thorough review of the clothing's material composition, certifications (e.g., flame resistance, chemical protection), and intended use cases is necessary to confirm adequate protection. Without this detail, the effectiveness in truly hazardous situations remains uncertain.
How does the per-unit cost of this FEMA-branded clothing compare to similar non-branded or commercially available workwear, considering the branding and potential protective features?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost is crucial. While the total contract value is low, the unit price could be inflated due to branding requirements or specialized features. Comparing costs against similar government-issued uniforms or high-quality commercial workwear, factoring in any protective elements, will reveal if the pricing is competitive and offers good value.
What is the long-term strategy for maintaining an adequate supply of this specialized responder clothing, and are there plans for future procurements?
This delivery order has a defined end date (April 2026). Understanding FEMA's long-term strategy for responder apparel is important. Are there plans for follow-on contracts, or is this a one-time need? Ensuring a consistent and readily available supply chain for essential responder gear is critical for operational readiness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers › Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers
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
Parent Company: VF Imagewear, Inc.
Address: 545 MARRIOTT DR STE 100, NASHVILLE, TN, 37214
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,925
Exercised Options: $9,925
Current Obligation: $9,925
Actual Outlays: $9,925
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70B01C20D00000004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-01-27
Current End Date: 2026-04-07
Potential End Date: 2026-10-04 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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