DHS awards $85K for sealed LED batteries, with 18 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $85,370 ($85.4K)

Contractor: FED Crew Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 123 days

Daily Burn Rate: $694/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BATTERY SEALED LED

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGEVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19426

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $85,369.68 to FED CREW INC for work described as: BATTERY SEALED LED Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive bidding process. 2. Strong competition dynamics indicated by 18 bids, suggesting fair price discovery. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the provided data. 4. Contract performance context is limited to a short duration. 5. This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector. 6. Spending is a small fraction of overall federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $85,369.68 for sealed LED batteries is modest. With 18 bids received, the pricing is likely competitive. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized battery components is difficult without more specific technical details, but the number of bidders suggests a fair market price was achieved. The fixed-price nature of the award also limits cost overrun risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition for smaller dollar amounts. The receipt of 18 bids indicates robust interest and a healthy competitive environment for this type of component. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives good value.

Taxpayer Impact: The high number of bidders suggests taxpayers benefit from a competitive market, leading to potentially lower prices than if the contract were sole-sourced or competed among fewer vendors.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from the acquisition of essential battery components. These batteries are likely critical for the operation of aircraft or other equipment. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Coast Guard. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving manufacturing and logistics for the supplier.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Competitive bidding process with 18 offers received.
Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, encouraging broad participation.
Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost escalation risks.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of specialized battery components like sealed LED batteries falls within the broader aerospace and defense manufacturing sector. This sector is characterized by complex supply chains and stringent quality requirements. While this specific contract is small, it represents a typical transaction for maintaining operational readiness of aircraft or other sensitive equipment. Comparable spending benchmarks for such niche components are highly variable based on specifications.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting plans. However, the competitive nature of the award under SAP suggests that small businesses would have had the opportunity to bid. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation or subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically be managed by the contracting officer and relevant program managers within the U.S. Coast Guard. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Parts Procurement
U.S. Coast Guard Equipment
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
Specialized Battery Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $85,369.68 to FED CREW INC. BATTERY SEALED LED

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FED CREW INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $85,369.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2026-08-10.

What is the specific application of these sealed LED batteries within the U.S. Coast Guard's operations?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'BATTERY SEALED LED' and falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' category (NAICS 336413). This suggests the batteries are intended for use in aircraft or related auxiliary equipment operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. Without further details, the precise application remains unspecified, but common uses could include emergency lighting systems, power backup for avionics, or specialized sensor equipment. The short contract duration (123 days) might imply a need for immediate replacement or a specific project requirement rather than long-term fleet-wide integration.

How does the price per unit compare to market rates for similar sealed LED batteries?

Determining a precise per-unit cost is not possible without knowing the quantity of batteries purchased under this $85,369.68 contract. The contract award value represents the total cost for all units. To benchmark, one would need to divide the total award amount by the number of units procured. Given the 18 bids received, it is reasonable to assume the price achieved was competitive within the market for the specified battery type and quantity. However, without the quantity, a direct per-unit comparison to market rates cannot be made from the provided data alone.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given its nature and duration?

The primary risks for this contract appear to be low. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Purchase Order, which shifts most cost risk to the contractor. The duration is short (123 days), limiting long-term performance risks. The competitive bidding process with 18 offers suggests a mature market for the product, reducing supply chain risks. Potential risks could include the contractor's ability to meet specific technical or quality standards, or unforeseen obsolescence if the technology is rapidly evolving, but these are not explicitly indicated in the data.

What is the track record of FED CREW INC. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for aircraft parts?

The provided data identifies 'FED CREW INC.' as the contractor. However, it does not offer any information regarding their past performance, track record, or history with government contracts. To assess their reliability, one would need to consult additional databases or sources that track contractor performance, past awards, and any reported issues or successes. Without this supplementary information, it's impossible to evaluate FED CREW INC.'s specific track record for this or similar procurements.

How does this spending compare to other U.S. Coast Guard procurements for aircraft parts or batteries?

This contract award of $85,369.68 is relatively small in the context of federal procurement, especially within the defense sector. The U.S. Coast Guard, as part of DHS, manages significant budgets for aircraft maintenance and operations. Larger contracts for aircraft components, systems, or major overhauls can run into millions or tens of millions of dollars. This specific award represents a minor expenditure for acquiring a specific component, likely for routine maintenance or replacement, rather than a large-scale acquisition or program.

What does the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' classification imply about the nature of this procurement?

The NAICS code 336413, 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing,' indicates that the procured item is a component or accessory for aircraft that doesn't fit into more specific manufacturing categories like engines or airframes. For sealed LED batteries, this classification suggests they are likely used in non-propulsion systems, such as lighting, communication equipment, navigation systems, or emergency power units. It implies a focus on specialized, non-core structural or engine parts, often critical for the safe and effective operation of the aircraft.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRIC WIRE, POWER DISTRIB EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70Z03826QL0000021

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 32 JACOB WAY, COLLEGEVILLE, PA, 19426

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $85,370

Exercised Options: $85,370

Current Obligation: $85,370

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline