DoD's $451M apparel contract awarded to CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC for men's and boys' cut and sew apparel

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,259,565 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Camel Manufacturing Company LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-29

End Date: 2011-02-21

Contract Duration: 510 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 4512083729!NUT

Place of Performance

Location: PIONEER, CAMPBELL County, TENNESSEE, 37847

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC for work described as: 4512083729!NUT Key points: 1. Contract value of $451.2M over its life suggests significant demand for men's and boys' apparel. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of 510 days (approx. 1.4 years) is relatively short for such a large value, potentially indicating frequent re-competition or phased delivery. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The contractor, CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC, has secured a substantial award, highlighting its capacity in the apparel sector. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 315211 points to specialized manufacturing capabilities. 7. The contract was awarded by the Defense Logistics Agency, a key procurement arm for the DoD. 8. The contract was awarded in 2009, with an end date in 2011, suggesting it is a historical award.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $451.2 million for men's and boys' apparel is substantial. Without specific benchmarks for similar DoD apparel contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to lock in costs. The number of bidders (12) indicates a degree of market interest, which can contribute to competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. With 12 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, suggesting that the Defense Logistics Agency likely received a range of proposals. This broad competition is generally expected to drive more competitive pricing and better terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this large apparel contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing goods at the most favorable prices, minimizing potential overspending.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are military personnel who require uniforms and apparel. The contract delivers essential clothing items, ensuring operational readiness and troop welfare. The geographic impact is likely national, with distribution to various military installations. Workforce implications include employment in apparel manufacturing and logistics, potentially supporting domestic jobs in the textile and garment industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for quality control issues in large-scale apparel manufacturing.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant portion of apparel needs could pose supply chain risks.
Ensuring ethical labor practices and compliance with manufacturing standards throughout the supply chain.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overruns for the government.
The contractor's ability to secure such a large award indicates established production capabilities.
The Defense Logistics Agency's involvement suggests adherence to established procurement protocols.

Sector Analysis

The apparel manufacturing sector, particularly for government contracts, is characterized by specialized production capabilities and adherence to strict specifications. This contract falls within the broader defense industrial base, supplying essential goods to military personnel. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale uniform and apparel procurements by the DoD and other federal agencies, which often involve significant dollar values due to the scale of demand.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC engages them. Without specific subcontracting plans or data, it's difficult to quantify the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem from this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) through contract officers and quality assurance representatives. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Uniform Procurement
Military Clothing and Equipment
Defense Logistics Agency Supply Chain Management
Federal Apparel Contracts
Men's and Boys' Clothing Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Large contract value
Potential supply chain dependencies
Fixed-price contract risks (if scope changes)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC. 4512083729!NUT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-29. End: 2011-02-21.

What is the historical spending trend for men's and boys' apparel by the Defense Logistics Agency?

Analyzing historical spending trends for men's and boys' apparel by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract award of $451.2 million is a significant data point from 2009-2011, it represents only a snapshot. A comprehensive trend analysis would involve examining annual spending on NAICS code 315211 and related apparel categories, looking for patterns of increase or decrease, major contract awards, and shifts in procurement strategies. Factors influencing these trends could include changes in military force size, operational tempo, uniform policy updates, and the emergence of new manufacturing technologies or suppliers. Without a broader dataset, it's challenging to establish a definitive trend solely from this single award.

How does the per-unit cost of apparel under this contract compare to market rates for similar items?

Determining the per-unit cost comparison requires detailed itemization of the apparel procured under this contract and access to current market pricing for comparable items. The provided data does not include specific product details or quantities, making a direct per-unit cost analysis impossible. Generally, large government contracts might achieve lower per-unit costs due to economies of scale and competitive bidding. However, specialized military specifications or unique material requirements could lead to higher costs than civilian market equivalents. Benchmarking would involve comparing the negotiated prices for specific garments (e.g., shirts, trousers) against wholesale or bulk pricing from civilian manufacturers, adjusted for any unique military requirements.

What is CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in apparel?

CAMEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY LLC's track record with federal contracts, as indicated by this $451.2 million award for men's and boys' apparel, suggests a significant capacity and past performance in this sector. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their complete federal contracting history, including the number and value of other awards, contract types (e.g., fixed-price, cost-plus), performance ratings, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. A review of their past performance information (PPI) and any available past performance evaluations would provide deeper insights into their reliability, quality of goods, and ability to meet delivery schedules for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with a contract of this magnitude in the apparel sector?

The primary risks associated with a contract of this magnitude in the apparel sector include supply chain disruptions (e.g., material shortages, geopolitical instability affecting sourcing), quality control failures in large-scale production, potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly (though mitigated by fixed-price), labor issues (including ethical sourcing and fair wages), and obsolescence if designs or material requirements change rapidly. For the government, risks also include over-reliance on a single contractor, which could impact supply continuity if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties. Ensuring compliance with stringent military specifications adds another layer of complexity and risk.

How has the Defense Logistics Agency adapted its procurement strategies for apparel over time?

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has likely adapted its procurement strategies for apparel over time in response to evolving military needs, technological advancements in manufacturing, and shifts in global supply chains. Historically, large, long-term contracts were common. More recently, strategies may incorporate greater emphasis on rapid prototyping, sustainable materials, enhanced cybersecurity for supply chain tracking, and potentially more flexible contract vehicles to respond to changing operational requirements. The move towards full and open competition, as seen in this 2009 award, suggests a continued commitment to leveraging market forces for efficiency. Analyzing DLA's solicitations and contract awards over the past decade would reveal specific adaptations in areas like small business utilization, socioeconomic goals, and performance-based contracting.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing › Men's and Boys' Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 176 LUTHER SEIBERS LN, PIONEER, TN, 37847

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Labor Surplus Area Firm, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,259,565

Exercised Options: $14,259,565

Current Obligation: $14,259,565

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline