DHS awards $472K for portable fans and mounting kits, with delivery expected within a month

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,220 ($47.2K)

Contractor: Portable AIR Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 28 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PORTABLE FANS AND MOUNTING KIT

Place of Performance

Location: CHAPEL HILL, CHATHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27517

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $47,220 to PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC for work described as: PORTABLE FANS AND MOUNTING KIT Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the specified goods, considering typical market prices for such equipment. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should have yielded fair pricing. 3. The short performance period (28 days) indicates a need for immediate or near-term deployment. 4. This contract falls within the 'Major Household Appliance Manufacturing' NAICS code, though the specific items are more akin to portable cooling solutions. 5. The award was made to PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC, a single entity, with no indication of subcontracting plans. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor for cost overruns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $472,200 for portable fans and mounting kits seems within a reasonable range for bulk procurement of such items. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for climate control or temporary equipment, the price per unit, while not explicitly detailed, is likely competitive given the full and open competition. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by capping the government's expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, fostering a competitive environment that typically leads to more favorable pricing and terms for the government.

Public Impact

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in North Carolina is the primary beneficiary, likely for immediate operational needs. The contract will deliver portable fans and associated mounting kits, enhancing environmental conditions at the facility. The geographic impact is localized to the FLETC facility in North Carolina. There are no immediate indications of significant workforce implications beyond the contractor's fulfillment of the order.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single supplier for future needs if PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC proves highly effective.
The specific use case for portable fans and mounting kits is not detailed, raising questions about the necessity and scale of the requirement.

Positive Signals

Successful award under full and open competition demonstrates a robust procurement process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Short delivery timeline suggests responsiveness to an urgent need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broader category of general industrial equipment and supplies. The market for portable fans and related accessories is diverse, with numerous manufacturers and distributors. Government procurement in this area often involves competitive bidding to secure cost-effective solutions for various operational needs across different agencies and facilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not specified, though the primary awardee's size is not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'delivery order'), oversight would likely involve the contracting officer at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Transparency is maintained through public contract databases. No specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, but general oversight applies.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Department of Defense (DoD) Equipment Procurement
Federal Law Enforcement Agency Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Short performance period may indicate urgent need, requiring close monitoring of delivery.
Lack of detailed product specifications makes independent value assessment challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $47,220 to PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC. PORTABLE FANS AND MOUNTING KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47,220.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the specific operational need driving the requirement for portable fans and mounting kits at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center?

The provided data does not specify the exact operational need for the portable fans and mounting kits. However, such equipment is typically procured to address issues like inadequate HVAC systems, temporary increases in occupancy, or specific training environments requiring localized air circulation. Given the short delivery window (28 days), it suggests a requirement for immediate deployment, possibly to mitigate unexpected environmental conditions or to support an upcoming event or training session at the FLETC facility in North Carolina.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar portable fans and mounting kits?

Without specific details on the quantity and model of fans and mounting kits, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult. However, the total award of $472,200 for a 28-day delivery period suggests a significant quantity or specialized nature of the equipment. Given that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with five bids received, it implies that the pricing was deemed competitive by the contracting officer. Market research would typically inform the government's price reasonableness determination, but that specific data is not available here.

What is the track record of PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for similar equipment?

The provided data identifies PORTABLE AIR GROUP LLC as the awardee but does not offer details on their past performance or track record with government contracts. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes in delivering similar goods or services to federal agencies. This information is typically available through government contract databases and performance reporting systems.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration contract for essential equipment like fans?

Risks associated with short-duration contracts for essential equipment include potential supply chain disruptions if the contractor faces unforeseen issues, and the possibility that the urgency of the need may have led to less rigorous price negotiation. For this specific contract, the firm fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. However, ensuring timely delivery and the quality of the fans and mounting kits within the tight 28-day window remains a key performance consideration.

How does this spending compare to historical federal spending on climate control or facility support equipment?

This $472,200 award for portable fans and mounting kits represents a relatively small expenditure within the broader context of federal spending on facility support and climate control. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on infrastructure, maintenance, and operational equipment, including HVAC systems, generators, and other environmental control devices. This specific contract addresses a niche requirement for localized air circulation, distinct from major climate control infrastructure investments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Household Appliance Manufacturing › Major Household Appliance Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: REFRIG, AIR CONDIT/CIRCULAT EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70LCHS26QPFB00018

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11415 GOVERNORS DR, CHAPEL HILL, NC, 27517

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,220

Exercised Options: $47,220

Current Obligation: $47,220

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSMS25D00AA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline