DoD's $28.4M contract for apparel accessories awarded to Creative Apparel Associates, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,446,297 ($28.4M)

Contractor: Creative Apparel Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-05-16

End Date: 2013-09-24

Contract Duration: 2,688 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200609!668213!97AS!SPM1C1!DSC PHILADELPHIA !SPM10006C6006 !A!N! !N! !P00002!20060516!20061130!043252691!043252691!043252691!N!CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES !318 AUGUSTA RD !MORRILL !ME!04952!47210!027!23!MORRILL !WALDO !MAINE !+000000255932!N!N!000000000000!8415!CLOTHING, SPECIAL PURPOSE !A9 !TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND EQUIPAGE !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !315999!E! !3! ! !A! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!J!2!002!N!1B!Z!N!Z! ! !N!A!N!N!Z! ! ! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !97AS!SPM1C1!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: BELMONT, WALDO County, MAINE, 04952

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.4 million to CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: 200609!668213!97AS!SPM1C1!DSC PHILADELPHIA !SPM10006C6006 !A!N! !N! !P00002!20060516!20061130!043252691!043252691!043252691!N!CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES !318 AUGUSTA RD !MORRILL !ME!04952!47210!027!23!MORRILL !WALD… Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process with specific source exclusions. 2. The contract's value of $28.4 million over its duration suggests a significant procurement for specialized apparel. 3. Performance period spans from May 2006 to September 2013, indicating a long-term requirement. 4. The Product Service Code (PSC) 8415 points to a focus on 'Clothing, Special Purpose,' highlighting the specialized nature of the items procured. 5. The contractor, Creative Apparel Associates, LLC, is based in Morrill, Maine, suggesting a regional economic impact. 6. The contract type is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP), which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $28.4 million over approximately 7.5 years averages to about $3.79 million per year. Without specific unit details or comparable contract data for similar specialized apparel, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the duration and fixed-price nature suggest an attempt to lock in pricing over a long period. Benchmarking against other DoD apparel contracts would be necessary for a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded from the outset. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the 'exclusion of sources' suggests a potentially narrowed competitive pool compared to a purely full and open competition. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to less competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have received less competitive pricing due to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. The rationale for these exclusions would be critical to understanding if they were justified and did not unduly limit competition.

Public Impact

Military personnel requiring specialized apparel accessories are the primary beneficiaries. The contract ensures the supply of essential clothing items for defense purposes. The geographic impact is primarily centered in Maine, where the contractor is located, potentially supporting local jobs and the regional economy. The contract supports the textile and apparel manufacturing sector, particularly firms capable of producing specialized defense-related goods.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources may have resulted in higher costs for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance quality.
The long contract duration could lead to potential obsolescence of specifications or materials if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially benefiting the government.
The contract was awarded to a specific company, Creative Apparel Associates, LLC, indicating a focused supplier relationship.
The contract falls under the 'TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND EQUIPAGE' category, aligning with established defense procurement needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader textiles, apparel, and equipment manufacturing sector. The specific Product Service Code (PSC) 8415, 'Clothing, Special Purpose,' indicates a niche within this sector focused on items beyond standard uniforms, likely for specific operational needs. The defense industry relies on a robust supply chain for such specialized equipment. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD contracts for similar specialized apparel or tactical gear procurements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Creative Apparel Associates, LLC, is identified, but its size status (small or large business) is not explicitly detailed in the snippet. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine if small businesses were involved in fulfilling parts of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), given its nature and the awarding agency. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules, quality standards, and payment clauses. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Clothing and Textiles
Department of Defense (DoD) Apparel Procurement
Special Purpose Clothing Contracts
Tactical Gear and Equipment Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusions.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for specification obsolescence over long contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.4 million to CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES, LLC. 200609!668213!97AS!SPM1C1!DSC PHILADELPHIA !SPM10006C6006 !A!N! !N! !P00002!20060516!20061130!043252691!043252691!043252691!N!CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES !318 AUGUSTA RD !MORRILL !ME!04952!47210!027!23!MORRILL !WALDO !MAINE !+000000255932!N!N!000000000000!8415!CLOTHING, SPECIAL PURPOSE !A9 !TEXTILES, CLOTHING, AND EQUIPAGE !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !315999!E! !3! ! !A! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE APPAREL ASSOCIATES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-16. End: 2013-09-24.

What is the specific nature of the 'special purpose' clothing items procured under this contract?

The provided data identifies the Product Service Code (PSC) as 8415, which corresponds to 'Clothing, Special Purpose.' This category typically encompasses items beyond standard military uniforms, such as specialized protective clothing, cold-weather gear, or equipment designed for specific operational environments or tasks. Without further details from the contract's statement of work or line item descriptions, the exact nature of these items remains unspecified. However, given the Department of Defense as the awarding agency, these items are likely intended to meet unique military operational requirements, potentially including camouflage, environmental protection, or specialized functional attributes.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar procurements for specialized apparel by the DoD?

A direct comparison of pricing for this $28.4 million contract is challenging without access to detailed unit costs, specifications, and a broader dataset of comparable DoD procurements for specialized apparel. The contract was awarded under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, which aims to provide cost certainty. However, the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause suggests that the competitive landscape might have been constrained, potentially impacting the final price. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar PSCs, quantities, and technical requirements, and analyze their award prices relative to market rates or historical trends for specialized military clothing.

What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?

The data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (CT: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES). The specific reasons for excluding certain sources are not detailed in the provided snippet. Typically, such exclusions are justified by factors like national security, proprietary technology, or specific capabilities required that only a limited number of firms possess. The contracting agency would have had to document and justify these exclusions to ensure they were necessary and did not unduly restrict competition beyond what was essential for meeting the government's needs. Without this documentation, the rationale remains unclear.

What is the track record of Creative Apparel Associates, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for the Department of Defense?

The provided data shows that Creative Apparel Associates, LLC was awarded this specific $28.4 million contract by the Department of Defense (DoD) through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The contract duration was substantial, running from May 16, 2006, to September 24, 2013. While this indicates they have secured a significant DoD contract, the snippet does not offer details on their performance history, past contract values, or success rates on other government procurements. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would require examining their complete contract history, including any performance reviews, past performance questionnaires, or debriefings associated with other awards.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration contract like this for specialized apparel?

Long-duration contracts, such as this one spanning over seven years (May 2006 to September 2013), carry several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of specification obsolescence; the technology or operational needs for specialized apparel might evolve significantly over such a period, rendering the original specifications outdated. Secondly, market prices for raw materials and manufacturing could fluctuate, potentially impacting the contractor's profitability under a fixed-price agreement or leading to requests for equitable adjustments if not adequately managed. Thirdly, maintaining consistent quality and performance from the contractor over an extended period can be challenging. Finally, the government might miss opportunities to leverage newer, more cost-effective, or technologically advanced solutions that emerge during the contract's term.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 318 AUGUSTA RD, MORRILL, ME, 04952

Business Categories: Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,597,157

Exercised Options: $2,597,157

Current Obligation: $28,446,297

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline