Army Awards $28M for 60,200 Modular Vests to Bethel Industries Inc. Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,993,000 ($28.0M)
Contractor: Bethel Industries Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-09-21
End Date: 2024-09-05
Contract Duration: 350 days
Daily Burn Rate: $80.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FAIR OPPORTUNITY # 0004 DELIVERY ORDER AWARD FOR 60,200 COMPLETE MODULAR SCALABLE VEST GENERATION II SYSTEMS.
Place of Performance
Location: JERSEY CITY, HUDSON County, NEW JERSEY, 07307
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.0 million to BETHEL INDUSTRIES INC for work described as: FAIR OPPORTUNITY # 0004 DELIVERY ORDER AWARD FOR 60,200 COMPLETE MODULAR SCALABLE VEST GENERATION II SYSTEMS. Key points: 1. The Department of the Army awarded a $27.99 million delivery order for 60,200 modular scalable vest systems. 2. Bethel Industries Inc. secured the contract, which was awarded under full and open competition. 3. The contract's fixed-price nature aims to control costs, but the per-unit price needs further evaluation against benchmarks. 4. This procurement falls within the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The per-unit cost is approximately $465. This price needs to be benchmarked against similar body armor contracts to determine its competitiveness and value for money.
Cost Per Unit: $465
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the specific details of the competition and the number of bids received are not provided, which limits a full assessment of competitive pressure.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes competitive pricing. The final price achieved will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Enhances soldier protection with advanced modular vest systems. Supports domestic manufacturing capabilities within the apparel sector. Ensures equipment availability for military personnel through a defined delivery schedule. Potential for follow-on orders based on performance and future needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed competition metrics (e.g., number of bids).
- Per-unit cost requires external benchmarking for true value assessment.
- Delivery timeline is substantial (350 days).
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed-price contract type.
- Addresses critical soldier equipment needs.
Sector Analysis
This procurement is within the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector (NAICS 315990). Spending in this sector for defense contracts can vary significantly based on specific equipment needs and technological advancements in protective gear.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award, though they may be involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would focus on adherence to the terms of the delivery order, timely delivery, and quality of the vests. The firm fixed-price nature provides some cost control oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price inflation in future orders.
- Dependence on a single manufacturer for a critical item.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications in the award notice.
- Limited visibility into the competitive bidding process beyond 'full and open'.
Tags
apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-ma, department-of-defense, nj, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.0 million to BETHEL INDUSTRIES INC. FAIR OPPORTUNITY # 0004 DELIVERY ORDER AWARD FOR 60,200 COMPLETE MODULAR SCALABLE VEST GENERATION II SYSTEMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BETHEL INDUSTRIES 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 $28.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-21. End: 2024-09-05.
What is the specific performance capability of the Generation II systems compared to previous versions or competitor products?
The provided data does not detail the specific performance capabilities of the Generation II systems. Further analysis would require access to technical specifications, testing results, and comparative performance data against other available body armor systems to assess if the chosen system represents a technological advancement and meets evolving combat requirements effectively.
How does the $465 per-unit cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar advanced modular vest systems?
Benchmarking the $465 per-unit cost against similar advanced modular vest systems is crucial for assessing value. Without access to a comprehensive database of defense procurement costs for comparable items, it's difficult to definitively state if this price is competitive. However, advanced tactical gear can range widely, and this figure warrants scrutiny against recent awards for similar protective equipment.
What is the projected lifespan and maintenance cost associated with these Generation II vests?
The provided data does not include information on the projected lifespan or ongoing maintenance costs for the Generation II vest systems. Understanding these factors is essential for a complete lifecycle cost analysis. This information would typically be found in technical documentation or sustainment planning documents associated with the contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
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: W91CRB20R0001
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3423 JOHN F KENNEDY BLVD, JERSEY CITY, NJ, 07307
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,993,000
Exercised Options: $27,993,000
Current Obligation: $27,993,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB21D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-21
Current End Date: 2024-09-05
Potential End Date: 2024-09-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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