DoD spent $19.3M on ballistic groin protection, awarded via sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,284,755 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Miscellaneous Foreign Awardees

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-07-28

End Date: 2011-10-20

Contract Duration: 84 days

Daily Burn Rate: $229.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: [PIIN: W5K9FH-11-C-0216] BALLISTIC GROIN PROTECTION

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES for work described as: [PIIN: W5K9FH-11-C-0216] BALLISTIC GROIN PROTECTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a miscellaneous foreign awardee, raising questions about domestic sourcing and potential cost efficiencies. 2. The contract was not competed under the simplified acquisition procedures, suggesting a lack of broad market engagement. 3. A firm fixed-price contract was used, which shifts cost risk to the contractor but may not reflect the lowest possible price. 4. The contract duration of 84 days is relatively short, indicating a specific, immediate need for the protective gear. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339113 points to surgical appliance manufacturing, a specialized sector. 6. The absence of small business participation suggests this contract did not leverage the small business industrial base.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the sole-source nature and the specific nature of the product. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if $19.3 million represents a fair market price for ballistic groin protection. The award to a 'miscellaneous foreign awardee' further complicates direct comparison to domestic market rates for similar defense equipment. The lack of transparency inherent in a sole-source award makes a robust value-for-money assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. The PIIN indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting it bypassed standard competitive procedures. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison or negotiation leverage derived from market forces. This approach is typically reserved for situations where only one source can fulfill the requirement, which warrants further investigation.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government may not benefit from the price reductions typically achieved through competition. This limits the ability to ensure the most cost-effective use of public funds.

Public Impact

Personnel within the Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Army, are the direct beneficiaries of this contract. The services delivered include the provision of ballistic groin protection, a critical piece of personal protective equipment. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within military operational areas where such equipment is deployed. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract is for goods rather than services requiring significant labor input from the contractor's side.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits transparency and potential cost savings.
Award to a 'miscellaneous foreign awardee' raises questions about sourcing and potential geopolitical considerations.
Lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through an open bidding process.
No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities to support the small business industrial base.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract addresses a specific need for critical personal protective equipment.
Award was made by the Department of the Army, indicating a direct military requirement.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader defense sector, specifically related to the manufacturing and procurement of specialized protective equipment. The NAICS code 339113, Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing, indicates a niche market. Spending in this area is driven by military operational needs and advancements in protective technology. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other contracts for body armor, helmets, and other personal protective gear procured by defense agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract did not include any small business set-aside provisions, nor is there any indication of subcontracting to small businesses. The award to a 'miscellaneous foreign awardee' further suggests that the domestic small business ecosystem was not a consideration for this specific procurement. This represents a missed opportunity to engage and support small businesses within the defense supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and financial management oversight mechanisms. Specific accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the firm fixed-price contract, ensuring delivery of the specified goods. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Body Armor Procurement
Personal Protective Equipment
Department of the Army Contracts
Sole-Source Defense Procurements
Foreign Military Sales (potential overlap)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Foreign awardee
Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES. [PIIN: W5K9FH-11-C-0216] BALLISTIC GROIN PROTECTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-07-28. End: 2011-10-20.

What is the track record of 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' in fulfilling defense contracts, particularly for specialized equipment?

The designation 'MISCELLANEOUS FOREIGN AWARDEES' is highly generic and lacks specific identifying information about the contractor. This makes it impossible to assess their individual track record, past performance, or reliability without further details. Typically, defense contracts are awarded to specific entities with established performance histories. The vagueness of this awardee category raises concerns about due diligence and the ability to hold the contractor accountable. Further investigation would be needed to identify the actual entity and review their history with the Department of Defense or other government agencies. Without this, it's difficult to gauge the risk associated with this awardee.

How does the $19.3 million cost compare to similar ballistic groin protection contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies?

Direct comparison of the $19.3 million cost for ballistic groin protection is difficult without more specific details on the quantity, specifications, and exact nature of the protection provided. However, given that this was a sole-source award, it is plausible that the price may be higher than if it had been competitively procured. The Department of Defense procures a wide range of personal protective equipment, and costs can vary significantly based on technological advancements, material science, and threat levels. To benchmark this cost effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar items, analyze the unit costs, and consider the procurement context (e.g., urgency, competition level). The lack of competitive bidding in this instance makes a definitive value assessment challenging.

What specific risks are associated with awarding a contract of this magnitude to a 'miscellaneous foreign awardee' without competition?

Awarding a contract of $19.3 million to a 'miscellaneous foreign awardee' without competition presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk related to supply chain security and reliability; foreign suppliers may face different logistical challenges, geopolitical disruptions, or quality control standards. Secondly, the lack of competition means the government may not have secured the best possible price, potentially leading to financial waste. Thirdly, transparency and oversight can be more challenging with foreign entities, increasing the risk of fraud or non-compliance. Finally, relying on foreign sources for critical defense equipment can raise national security concerns regarding dependency and potential vulnerabilities.

What was the specific operational need or threat that necessitated the procurement of ballistic groin protection at this cost and via a sole-source award?

The specific operational need or threat that drove this $19.3 million sole-source procurement of ballistic groin protection is not detailed in the provided data. However, ballistic groin protection is a component of personal protective equipment designed to safeguard military personnel from shrapnel and ballistic threats to the groin area. Such procurements are typically driven by evolving threat assessments in operational theaters, advancements in body armor technology, or specific requirements for deployed forces. The sole-source nature suggests a potential urgency or a belief that only a specific foreign supplier could meet the immediate requirement, possibly due to unique specifications or existing relationships. Further documentation from the awarding agency would be necessary to fully understand the underlying operational context.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for personal protective equipment within the Department of the Army?

This $19.3 million contract for ballistic groin protection represents a specific expenditure within the Department of the Army's broader budget for personal protective equipment (PPE). The Army, like other branches of the military, allocates significant funds to equip its personnel with advanced protection against various threats. Spending on PPE is influenced by deployment levels, operational environments, technological advancements, and threat assessments. While this contract focuses on a particular item, it is part of a larger, ongoing investment in soldier survivability. Analyzing historical spending on similar items, such as body armor, helmets, and other protective gear, would provide context for the scale and significance of this particular procurement within the Army's overall PPE acquisition strategy.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: W5K9FH11RXXXX

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2011 CRYSTAL DR STE 911, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,284,755

Exercised Options: $19,284,755

Current Obligation: $19,284,755

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline