Army Combat Shirt Contract Exceeds $29M, Awarded to National Industries for the Blind

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,041,733 ($29.0M)

Contractor: National Industries for the Blind

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-12-20

End Date: 2021-07-31

Contract Duration: 954 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.0 million to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND for work described as: ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.04M for Army Combat Shirts. 2. Sole-source award to National Industries for the Blind. 3. Potential risk due to lack of competition. 4. Apparel sector spending, with specific focus on military uniforms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is substantial, but without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal. Benchmarking against similar apparel contracts would be necessary for a thorough evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could result in higher prices than if multiple vendors had bid, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Soldiers receive specialized combat shirts. Supports a specific industry for the visually impaired. Taxpayer funds allocated for military apparel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

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

Positive Signals

Supports a specific industry (visually impaired)
Definitive contract awarded

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the apparel manufacturing sector, specifically for military uniforms. Spending benchmarks for similar government apparel contracts are not readily available but typically involve competitive bidding processes.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, National Industries for the Blind, is a non-profit organization that employs individuals with blindness. While not a traditional small business, it serves a specific societal purpose.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and adherence to contract terms. The Department of the Army is responsible for monitoring this contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency in award justification
No benchmark for value for money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.0 million to NATIONAL INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND. ARMY COMBAT SHIRT (ACS)

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 $29.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-12-20. End: 2021-07-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one vendor can meet the government's needs due to unique capabilities, urgent requirements, or specific program circumstances. Further investigation would be needed to determine the rationale in this case.

How does the per-unit cost compare to similar military apparel contracts?

Without competitive bidding data or access to pricing details for comparable Army Combat Shirts, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible. The lack of competition makes it difficult to benchmark pricing effectively against the market.

What is the long-term impact of sole-source awards on military apparel procurement?

Sole-source awards can reduce competition, potentially leading to higher costs and less innovation over time. While they can support specific industries or address urgent needs, a consistent reliance on them may not be the most cost-effective strategy for the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing › Cut and Sew Apparel Contractors

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: 3000 POTOMAC AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22305

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: $29,041,733

Exercised Options: $29,041,733

Current Obligation: $29,041,733

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline