DoD awards $37.7M for Army Combat Shirts to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,700,110 ($37.7M)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-03-31

End Date: 2011-06-20

Contract Duration: 446 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMY COMBAT SHIRT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $37.7 million to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: ARMY COMBAT SHIRT Key points: 1. Spending on combat shirts is concentrated with a single provider. 2. The contract was awarded on a non-competitive basis. 3. The contract duration was 446 days. 4. The sector is apparel manufacturing, a common area for government procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $37.7M for combat shirts over 446 days is difficult to assess without a per-unit cost benchmark. The lack of competition makes it hard to determine if the price is reasonable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which may indicate a specific set-aside or limitation. The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggests limited or no other vendors were considered, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this procurement. Without competitive bidding, there's a risk of overpayment, meaning taxpayers may not have received the best possible value.

Public Impact

Soldiers receive essential combat apparel. The procurement supports a specific manufacturer. Lack of competition raises questions about cost-effectiveness for taxpayers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
No clear justification for limited competition

Positive Signals

Procurement supports a specific industry

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the apparel manufacturing sector, specifically for military uniforms. Government spending in this area is consistent, but typically benefits from competitive bidding to ensure value.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to National Industries for the Blind, which is a specific type of organization. It is unclear if small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded in 2010 and completed in 2011. Oversight details regarding the justification for limited competition and price reasonableness are not provided in the data.

Related Government Programs

All Other Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of price benchmark
No justification for limited competition provided
Potential for overpayment due to non-competitive award

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.7 million to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. ARMY COMBAT SHIRT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-03-31. End: 2011-06-20.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a limited or non-competitive basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. A full justification would typically detail why only National Industries for the Blind could fulfill the requirement, such as unique capabilities, specific legal mandates, or urgent needs where competition was impractical. Without this, the rationale remains unclear.

How does the per-unit cost compare to similar combat shirts procured competitively?

Without a per-unit cost or benchmark data for comparable combat shirts, it's impossible to definitively assess value. The total award of $37.7M over 446 days, awarded non-competitively, raises concerns that the price may not reflect market rates achieved through open competition.

What was the overall effectiveness of this procurement in meeting the Army's needs for combat shirts?

The contract was completed, suggesting the Army received the combat shirts. However, the effectiveness in terms of value for money is questionable due to the non-competitive award. Future procurements should aim for competitive processes to ensure optimal use of taxpayer funds and potentially better product or pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing › All Other Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1310 BRADDOCK PL FL 4, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,765,681

Exercised Options: $37,765,681

Current Obligation: $37,700,110

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline