Dod Awards $24M for Vital Torso Protection Enhancement to Leading Technology Composites Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,999,672 ($24.0M)
Contractor: Leading Technology Composites Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 497 days
Daily Burn Rate: $48.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: VITAL TORSO PROTECTION ENHANCED SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT
Place of Performance
Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67213
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to LEADING TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITES INC for work described as: VITAL TORSO PROTECTION ENHANCED SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Leading Technology Composites Inc. for enhanced small arms protective inserts. 2. The contract value is $23,999,672. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition'. 4. The contract is for the Department of the Army, with an estimated completion date of September 28, 2026. 5. The product falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24M appears reasonable for specialized protective gear. Benchmarking against similar advanced body armor contracts would provide a more precise assessment of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of 'Full and Open Competition' suggests a robust price discovery process, likely leading to competitive pricing. The award to a single contractor, Leading Technology Composites Inc., indicates they offered the best value under the competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical soldier protection, ensuring a high standard of safety and performance.
Public Impact
Enhances soldier survivability on the battlefield. Supports the Department of the Army's readiness and equipment modernization efforts. Procurement of advanced protective gear is crucial for personnel safety. The contract duration extends into FY2026, indicating a sustained need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for sole-source justification if competition was limited in practice.
- Need to verify if 'enhanced' features justify the cost compared to standard inserts.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Awarded to a US-based manufacturer (Kansas).
- Focus on critical soldier protection.
Sector Analysis
The defense sector, particularly for personal protective equipment, often sees significant investment. Spending benchmarks for similar advanced ballistic protection systems can vary widely based on technology and threat level.
Small Business Impact
While the primary awardee is Leading Technology Composites Inc., it's important to assess if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the supply chain for these specialized protective inserts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army's contracting process, including the use of full and open competition, provides a degree of oversight. Further review of the award justification and performance monitoring would confirm accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.
- Potential for follow-on contracts based on performance.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical protective gear.
- Need for ongoing monitoring of technological advancements in threat protection.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-general-purpose-, department-of-defense, ks, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to LEADING TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITES INC. VITAL TORSO PROTECTION ENHANCED SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LEADING TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITES 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 $24.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-19. End: 2026-09-28.
What specific technological advancements in the 'enhanced' inserts justify the contract value compared to existing protective solutions?
The specific technological advancements are not detailed in the provided data. Further analysis would require reviewing the technical specifications and performance requirements outlined in the solicitation. Understanding the material science, weight reduction, or multi-threat protection capabilities would be key to justifying the value against existing solutions.
Are there any identified risks associated with the long-term durability or effectiveness of these enhanced inserts under various combat conditions?
The provided data does not detail specific risks related to durability or effectiveness. However, standard risk assessments for military equipment would typically include environmental testing, ballistic testing under various conditions, and lifecycle analysis. The 'full and open competition' process should have mitigated risks by selecting a contractor capable of meeting stringent performance requirements.
How does the per-unit cost of these enhanced inserts compare to similar advanced protective inserts procured by other military branches or allied nations?
A direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible with the given data. Benchmarking would require access to pricing data for comparable items across different agencies and international partners. Factors like volume, specific threat ratings, and contract terms significantly influence per-unit costs, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed context.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous General Purpose Machinery 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: W91CRB16R0010
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2626 W MAY ST, WICHITA, KS, 67213
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,999,672
Exercised Options: $23,999,672
Current Obligation: $23,999,672
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB19D0013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-19
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2026-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-15
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