Air Force awards $28.6M for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, with MSA Safety Sales LLC as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,573,708 ($28.6M)

Contractor: MSA Safety Sales, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-18

End Date: 2026-04-15

Contract Duration: 636 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)

Place of Performance

Location: CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, BUTLER County, PENNSYLVANIA, 16066

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.6 million to MSA SAFETY SALES, LLC for work described as: SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA) Key points: 1. The contract value of $28.6 million represents a significant investment in critical safety equipment. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for SCBA systems, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The delivery order structure indicates a need for immediate or phased deployment of the equipment. 5. The duration of the contract (636 days) suggests a sustained requirement for these breathing apparatus. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.6 million for SCBA systems appears reasonable given the critical nature of the equipment and the duration of the contract. Benchmarking against similar large-scale procurements for safety equipment would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. However, without specific details on the quantity and technical specifications of the SCBA units, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

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 offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The open competition suggests that the market for SCBA is sufficiently developed to support multiple suppliers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider selection of high-quality equipment. This process helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Air Force personnel, particularly firefighters and hazardous materials response teams, will benefit from enhanced safety and operational capabilities. The contract ensures the delivery of essential Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, crucial for protecting airmen in environments with toxic gases or oxygen deficiency. The geographic impact is likely widespread across Air Force installations requiring SCBA, ensuring a standardized level of safety. The procurement supports jobs within the specialized manufacturing sector related to safety and respiratory protection equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for long-term reliance on a single supplier if follow-on contracts are not competitively bid.
Ensuring the SCBA units meet the latest safety standards and technological advancements is crucial.
Logistical challenges in distributing and maintaining the equipment across various Air Force bases.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition is a strong positive signal for fair pricing and market responsiveness.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The award to a known entity like MSA Safety Sales, LLC suggests a potentially reliable supplier with established product lines.

Sector Analysis

The procurement of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) falls within the broader industrial sector of safety equipment manufacturing and defense-related supplies. This market is characterized by stringent regulatory requirements, high performance standards, and a need for reliable, life-saving equipment. The global market for SCBA is substantial, driven by industrial safety regulations, emergency response needs, and military requirements. This contract represents a significant portion of spending within this specialized niche for the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded to MSA Safety Sales, LLC, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside. However, large defense contracts often include subcontracting requirements. It is possible that small businesses specializing in components, maintenance, or logistics could be involved in fulfilling parts of this order, contributing to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard Department of Defense oversight mechanisms, including contract administration by the Air Force and potential review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Inspector General. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for the contractor to deliver the specified goods within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procurements for personal protective equipment
Firefighting equipment contracts
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance equipment
Emergency response equipment for federal agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for obsolescence if technology advances rapidly
Dependence on contractor for maintenance and spare parts
Ensuring interoperability with existing Air Force systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.6 million to MSA SAFETY SALES, LLC. SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MSA SAFETY SALES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-18. End: 2026-04-15.

What is the specific model and technical specification of the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus being procured?

The provided data does not specify the exact model or technical specifications of the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) being procured under this contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113, 'Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing,' is broad and can encompass various types of respiratory protection. To fully assess the value and suitability of the procurement, detailed specifications regarding air capacity, duration, weight, filtration, communication systems, and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., NIOSH, NFPA) would be necessary. This information is typically found in the contract's statement of work or technical exhibits, which are not included in the provided summary data.

How does the per-unit cost of these SCBA units compare to similar recent procurements by other military branches or federal agencies?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost information or the quantity of SCBA units being procured, making a direct per-unit cost comparison impossible. The total contract value is $28,573,708. To benchmark the per-unit cost, we would need to know the exact number of SCBA units included in this delivery order. Without this quantity, any calculation would be speculative. Furthermore, comparing costs requires matching not only the item but also its specifications, age, and the terms of the contract (e.g., delivery schedule, warranty). A comprehensive analysis would involve querying contract databases for similar SCBA procurements by agencies like the Army, Navy, or FEMA, and then normalizing for quantity and specifications.

What is MSA Safety Sales, LLC's track record with Department of Defense contracts, particularly for safety and respiratory equipment?

MSA Safety Sales, LLC is a known entity in the safety equipment market. While the provided data confirms they are the contractor for this $28.6 million SCBA order, it does not detail their broader track record with the Department of Defense (DoD). A thorough assessment would involve reviewing historical contract awards to MSA Safety Sales, LLC from the DoD, examining past performance evaluations, and identifying any instances of contract disputes, overruns, or quality issues. Companies like MSA often have extensive experience supplying safety equipment to various government agencies, but the specifics of their performance on prior DoD contracts are crucial for evaluating reliability and value on this current award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this SCBA delivery order?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for evaluating the success of this SCBA delivery order. Typically, for such procurements, success would be measured by factors including timely delivery of all specified units, adherence to technical specifications and quality standards, successful operational testing and integration by the end-users (Air Force personnel), and compliance with warranty provisions. Contract administration by the Air Force would likely involve monitoring these aspects. Post-delivery performance, such as the reliability and effectiveness of the SCBA in operational scenarios, would also be critical long-term indicators, though these are often captured in broader program reviews rather than specific contract metrics.

How does the $28.6 million spending on SCBA compare to historical spending trends for this type of equipment within the Air Force?

The provided data indicates a single contract award of $28,573,708 for SCBA. To compare this to historical spending trends, one would need to analyze aggregated spending data for SCBA and related respiratory protection equipment within the Air Force over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts with relevant Product Service Codes (PSCs) or NAICS codes related to breathing apparatus and filtering equipment awarded to the Air Force. Without this historical data, it's impossible to determine if $28.6 million represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to previous periods. Factors influencing historical spending could include equipment modernization cycles, changes in threat assessments, or budget allocations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing › Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: FIRE/RESCUE/SAFETY; ENVIRO PROTECT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 CRANBERRY WOODS DR, CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA, 16066

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: $28,573,708

Exercised Options: $28,573,708

Current Obligation: $28,573,708

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA853423D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline