GSA awards $25M for NGB PPE Suits, with 3 bidders competing under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,024,198 ($25.0M)

Contractor: Murtech, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2015-08-06

End Date: 2018-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,058 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NGB PPE SUITS

Place of Performance

Location: GUNPOWDER, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21010

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $25.0 million to MURTECH, INC. for work described as: NGB PPE SUITS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a healthy market for these specialized suits. 3. Risk indicators are low due to fixed-price contract and established product. 4. Performance context is a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle. 5. Sector positioning is within manufacturing of specialized protective equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $25 million for NGB PPE Suits seems within a reasonable range, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized protective gear would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor assumed the risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. However, without specific details on the quantity and specifications of the suits, a definitive value-for-money judgment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that multiple bidders were solicited and considered. With three bidders participating, the competition level suggests a moderately competitive environment. This level of competition is generally sufficient to drive reasonable pricing and encourage efficient performance from the awarded contractor.

Taxpayer Impact: The presence of three bidders indicates that taxpayers benefited from a degree of price discovery, likely resulting in a more competitive price than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel requiring specialized personal protective equipment (PPE). The services delivered include the provision of National Guard Bureau (NGB) approved PPE suits. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications are related to the manufacturing and supply chain for these specialized suits.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
Ensuring consistent quality and compliance with NGB specifications over the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process, suggesting a vetted and capable contractor.
Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost escalation risks for the government.
Delivery order structure implies a pre-existing framework agreement, potentially streamlining future procurements.

Sector Analysis

The procurement falls within the broader defense and protective equipment manufacturing sector. This sector is characterized by stringent quality standards, specialized production capabilities, and often involves government contracts as a significant customer base. The market size for specialized PPE can vary widely depending on the specific type of equipment and the intended end-users, but it is a critical component of national security and emergency preparedness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor engages them for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and potentially the National Guard Bureau (NGB) as the end-user. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Guard Bureau Procurement
Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
Defense Manufacturing Contracts
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for specification creep or changes in NGB requirements.
Dependence on specific raw material suppliers for suit manufacturing.
Risk of obsolescence if technology or threat assessments change rapidly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $25.0 million to MURTECH, INC.. NGB PPE SUITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MURTECH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-08-06. End: 2018-06-29.

What is the specific type and quantity of NGB PPE Suits procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact type or quantity of NGB PPE Suits procured. It only indicates the total contract value of $25,024,198.04 and the contractor, MURTECH, INC. To fully assess the value and appropriateness of the award, detailed specifications regarding the suits' protective capabilities, materials, sizes, and the total number of units ordered would be necessary. This information is crucial for comparing the per-unit cost against market benchmarks and understanding the scope of the requirement.

How does the per-unit cost of these NGB PPE Suits compare to similar items in the market or other government contracts?

Without the specific quantity and detailed specifications of the NGB PPE Suits, a precise per-unit cost comparison is not possible. The total contract value of approximately $25 million for a duration of 1058 days (approximately 3 years) suggests an average annual value of around $8.3 million. If we were to assume a hypothetical quantity, say 100,000 suits, the average per-unit cost would be around $250. This figure would then need to be benchmarked against commercially available PPE suits with comparable protective standards (e.g., chemical, biological, radiological) and against other government contracts for similar items awarded through competitive processes. The 'N/A' for CPU in the schema indicates this specific data point was not readily available or calculable from the provided snippet.

What is MURTECH, INC.'s track record with government contracts, particularly for PPE or similar equipment?

The provided data indicates that MURTECH, INC. was awarded this contract for NGB PPE Suits. Further investigation into their contract history would be required to assess their track record. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for other contracts awarded to MURTECH, INC., noting the agencies involved, the types of goods or services provided, contract values, performance history (if available), and any past performance ratings. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget deliveries of similar or complex equipment would indicate a positive track record, while frequent issues or disputes might raise concerns.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how was MURTECH, INC. evaluated?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract or the evaluation results of MURTECH, INC.'s performance. Typically, for a contract involving the delivery of physical goods like PPE suits, KPIs would likely include on-time delivery, adherence to specifications (quality, material, functionality), and potentially warranty provisions. The evaluation of the contractor's performance would be documented in contract performance reports, which are usually maintained by the contracting officer and may not be publicly accessible. The 'good' rating for value assessment suggests that, based on available information, the performance was likely satisfactory.

How does the $25 million spending on NGB PPE Suits compare to historical spending patterns for similar equipment by the GSA or NGB?

To compare this $25 million award to historical spending, one would need to analyze past GSA and NGB procurements for National Guard Bureau Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suits or comparable items over several fiscal years. This analysis should account for inflation and changes in requirements or technology. For instance, if historical spending for similar quantities and types of suits averaged $10-15 million annually, then this $25 million award over three years might appear reasonable or slightly higher, warranting further scrutiny. Conversely, if historical spending was significantly higher, this award could represent cost savings. Accessing historical contract data from sources like FPDS is essential for such a comparison.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID01120060198

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 820 CROMWELL PARK DR STE J, GLEN BURNIE, MD, 21061

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,034,198

Exercised Options: $25,034,198

Current Obligation: $25,024,198

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS01T13BKD0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline