Army awards $7.75M for cold weather gloves, with delivery orders extending through March 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,749,278 ($7.7M)

Contractor: Heartland Manufacturing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-05-31

End Date: 2026-03-30

Contract Duration: 668 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER FOR YEAR 1 - COLD WEATHER GLOVE SYSTEM - COMPLETE KIT

Place of Performance

Location: EDGEWOOD, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11717

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.7 million to HEARTLAND MANUFACTURING, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER FOR YEAR 1 - COLD WEATHER GLOVE SYSTEM - COMPLETE KIT Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed-price contract type and the duration of the delivery order. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, likely leading to better pricing. 3. The contract is for a specific item (cold weather glove system), indicating a focused procurement need. 4. Performance context is tied to the Department of the Army's requirements for specialized apparel. 5. Sector positioning is within the apparel manufacturing and defense supply chain. 6. The contract duration of 668 days (approximately 22 months) provides a stable supply period.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.75 million for a cold weather glove system is a significant investment. As a firm fixed-price delivery order, the price is set, which can be advantageous if the contractor can produce efficiently. Benchmarking against similar specialized military apparel contracts would provide a clearer picture of value, but the competitive nature of the award suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but this method generally fosters robust price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and capabilities. The use of full and open competition is a positive sign for achieving competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs through market forces, ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its expenditure on essential equipment like cold weather gloves.

Public Impact

Soldiers requiring specialized cold weather gear will benefit from this contract. The delivery of complete kits ensures all necessary components for the glove system are provided. The contract is being fulfilled by a New York-based manufacturer, potentially impacting the regional economy. Workforce implications may include increased production demands on the contractor's facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality and durability of the glove systems.
The duration of the contract (668 days) could lead to potential obsolescence issues if glove technology advances rapidly during the performance period.
Limited information on the specific technical requirements of the 'complete kit' raises questions about potential scope creep or unmet needs.

Positive Signals

The use of firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting of potential suppliers.
The contract specifies a 'complete kit,' implying a comprehensive solution rather than piecemeal components.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically the procurement of specialized apparel. The market for military-grade cold weather gear is a niche but critical segment of the broader apparel industry. Spending in this area is driven by operational readiness requirements for armed forces operating in diverse and often harsh climates. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for tactical clothing and personal protective equipment issued by various military branches.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this specific contract. While the prime contractor, Heartland Manufacturing, Inc., may be a large business, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any small business subcontracting goals were established or met, which could impact the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified goods. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being made under full and open competition, which is typically publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
Army Combat Clothing and Equipment
Military Cold Weather Gear Contracts
Tactical Apparel Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for obsolescence if technology advances rapidly.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.
Unknown subcontracting plans for small businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.7 million to HEARTLAND MANUFACTURING, INC.. DELIVERY ORDER FOR YEAR 1 - COLD WEATHER GLOVE SYSTEM - COMPLETE KIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEARTLAND MANUFACTURING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-31. End: 2026-03-30.

What is the track record of Heartland Manufacturing, Inc. in supplying similar defense contracts?

Information regarding Heartland Manufacturing, Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Defense or other government agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous awards. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their reliability and experience in delivering complex apparel systems under government contracts. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to establish a detailed profile of their past performance.

How does the per-unit cost of these cold weather gloves compare to similar items procured by other military branches or allied nations?

The provided data does not include per-unit cost breakdowns or detailed specifications of the 'complete kit' for the cold weather glove system, making direct per-unit cost comparison challenging. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar military-grade gloves (e.g., insulated, waterproof, durable) awarded to other branches or international partners. Analyzing the contract type (firm fixed-price), quantity, and specific technical requirements (material, temperature rating, dexterity features) would be crucial for a meaningful comparison. Without these details, any per-unit cost assessment would be speculative.

What are the specific technical requirements and performance standards for the cold weather glove system being procured?

The provided data summary is limited and does not detail the specific technical requirements or performance standards for the cold weather glove system. It only mentions 'DELIVERY ORDER FOR YEAR 1 - COLD WEATHER GLOVE SYSTEM - COMPLETE KIT.' A thorough analysis would necessitate reviewing the full contract solicitation documents (e.g., Performance Work Statement or Statement of Work) which would outline material specifications, insulation properties, dexterity requirements, durability testing, and environmental operating conditions. Understanding these technical details is critical for assessing the suitability of the procured item for its intended military use and for evaluating the value proposition.

What is the historical spending pattern for cold weather glove systems by the Department of the Army over the past five years?

The provided data only pertains to a single delivery order valued at $7.75 million. To understand historical spending patterns for cold weather glove systems by the Department of the Army, a broader analysis of procurement data over the past five years would be required. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts with relevant keywords (e.g., 'cold weather gloves,' 'arctic gloves,' 'insulated gloves') and specific product service codes related to apparel. Analyzing the volume, value, and frequency of such awards would reveal trends, identify key suppliers, and indicate fluctuations in demand or budget allocation for this specific type of equipment.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to meet the delivery schedule and quality requirements?

The provided data summary does not contain explicit risk assessments or performance flags related to Heartland Manufacturing, Inc. However, the contract duration of 668 days (approximately 22 months) for a delivery order suggests a substantial production and delivery timeline. Potential risks could include supply chain disruptions for raw materials, manufacturing capacity limitations, or unforeseen quality control issues. A comprehensive risk assessment would involve reviewing the contractor's past performance history, financial stability, and any specific clauses or contingencies included in the contract related to delivery delays or quality failures.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: W911QY24B0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 60 HEARTLAND BLVD., UNIT C, BRENTWOOD, NY, 11717

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,749,278

Exercised Options: $7,749,278

Current Obligation: $7,749,278

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911QY24D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline