DHS awards $30M for RFID bins to Vanderlande Industries Inc. for airport security

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,000 ($30.0K)

Contractor: Vanderlande Industries Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-05-15

Contract Duration: 42 days

Daily Burn Rate: $714/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: AUTOMATED SCREENING LANES (ASL) RADIO- FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) BINS TO BE DELIVERED TO SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SLC)

Place of Performance

Location: ACWORTH, COBB County, GEORGIA, 30101

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $30,000 to VANDERLANDE INDUSTRIES INC. for work described as: AUTOMATED SCREENING LANES (ASL) RADIO- FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) BINS TO BE DELIVERED TO SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SLC) Key points: 1. The contract value of $30 million appears reasonable for specialized airport security equipment. 2. Competition dynamics are unclear due to the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. The short performance period (42 days) suggests a focused, immediate need for the RFID bins. 4. This contract aligns with the TSA's ongoing efforts to modernize airport security infrastructure. 5. The product falls under 'All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing,' indicating a niche but critical application.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $30 million for RFID bins needs further benchmarking against similar procurements for airport security equipment. Without specific details on the quantity and technical specifications of the bins, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government. The pricing should be compared to industry standards for similar RFID solutions in transportation hubs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves fewer bidders and less extensive documentation than full and open competition. While this can expedite the procurement process, it may limit the pool of potential offerors and potentially impact price competitiveness. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP may result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a broader competition, as fewer vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Public Impact

Passengers at Salt Lake City International Airport will benefit from enhanced security screening processes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will receive specialized RFID bins to improve baggage handling and tracking. The geographic impact is localized to Salt Lake City International Airport. The contract supports the manufacturing and supply chain workforce involved in producing these specialized plastic products.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP could lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed specifications makes it hard to assess if the best possible technology was procured.
Short delivery timeline might strain production capacity and increase unit costs.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Procurement aligns with stated agency goals for security modernization.
Delivery to a major international airport indicates a critical operational need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Plastics Product Manufacturing' sector, specifically focusing on specialized applications for the transportation and security industry. The market for airport security equipment is driven by regulatory requirements and technological advancements aimed at improving passenger and baggage screening. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other procurements of RFID systems or security screening components for airports and transportation facilities.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation, including set-asides or subcontracting plans, was not provided in the data. Typically, procurements under SAP may have provisions for small business participation, but without explicit details, its impact remains unknown. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved or could have been.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security's internal review processes and the Transportation Security Administration's program management. Transparency is limited by the SAP procurement method. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Airport Security Equipment Procurement
RFID Technology in Logistics
Transportation Security Administration Contracts
Homeland Security Technology Acquisitions

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP
Short performance period may impact quality or capacity
Lack of detailed specifications for value assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $30,000 to VANDERLANDE INDUSTRIES INC.. AUTOMATED SCREENING LANES (ASL) RADIO- FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) BINS TO BE DELIVERED TO SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SLC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VANDERLANDE INDUSTRIES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-15.

What is the specific quantity and technical specification of the RFID bins being procured?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or detailed technical specifications of the RFID bins. This information is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of the contract's value and performance. Understanding the volume and features (e.g., durability, read range, data capacity) would allow for a more accurate comparison to market rates and assessment of whether the procured items meet the TSA's operational requirements effectively. Without these details, the $30 million award is difficult to fully contextualize in terms of unit cost or technological suitability.

How many bids were received, and what was the nature of the competition under SAP?

The data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), but it does not specify the number of bids received. SAP is generally used for procurements under a certain dollar threshold (often $250,000, though this can vary) and typically involves a less formal solicitation process than full and open competition. While it implies some level of competition, the limited scope of SAP often restricts the number of potential bidders. A more thorough analysis would require knowing the number of offers received to gauge the extent of price discovery and ensure the government obtained the best value.

What is Vanderlande Industries Inc.'s track record with similar government contracts, particularly for airport security equipment?

Vanderlande Industries Inc. is known for its expertise in material handling and logistics systems, often serving airports and distribution centers. While their track record in providing RFID bins specifically for airport security screening is not detailed in the provided data, their broader experience in airport infrastructure suggests a capacity to deliver such solutions. A deeper dive into their past performance on government contracts, especially those involving security or RFID technology, would be necessary to fully assess their reliability and past performance in meeting delivery schedules and quality standards.

How does this $30 million award compare to historical TSA spending on similar RFID or baggage handling systems?

Historical spending data for the TSA on similar RFID or baggage handling systems is not provided. To assess this $30 million award effectively, a comparison with previous procurements of comparable scale and technical scope would be beneficial. Analyzing trends in TSA's investment in RFID technology and automated screening lanes over the past several years could reveal whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending in this area. Such a comparison would help determine if the current award is in line with established budgetary patterns or represents a significant shift.

What are the potential risks associated with the short performance period of 42 days?

The short performance period of 42 days (from contract award to delivery completion) presents several potential risks. Firstly, it could put significant pressure on Vanderlande Industries Inc. to meet production and delivery deadlines, potentially leading to rushed manufacturing and quality control issues. Secondly, it might limit the number of contractors willing or able to bid, as not all may have the immediate capacity to fulfill such a rapid turnaround. Lastly, expedited production could potentially increase costs, although the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract aims to mitigate this for the government. The TSA's urgent need for these bins is implied, but the associated risks need careful management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Plastics Product Manufacturing › All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FURNITURE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Toyota Industries Corporation

Address: 3054 CHASTAIN MEADOWS PKWY, MARIETTA, GA, 30066

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,000

Exercised Options: $30,000

Current Obligation: $30,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline