DoD Awards $14.26M for Ballistic Combat Shirts to Slate Solutions LLC Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,256,181 ($14.3M)
Contractor: Slate Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-09-12
End Date: 2026-09-11
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $39.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: PDM SPE BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT (BCS) GEN II AWARD A (SSL)
Place of Performance
Location: DAVIE, BROWARD County, FLORIDA, 33317
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to SLATE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: PDM SPE BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT (BCS) GEN II AWARD A (SSL) Key points: 1. Awarded to Slate Solutions LLC for PDM SPE Ballistic Combat Shirt (BCS) Gen II. 2. Contract type is Delivery Order with a Firm Fixed Price. 3. Competition was Full and Open, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 364 days, ending September 11, 2026. 5. The award value is $14,256,180.50.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award value of $14.26 million for ballistic combat shirts appears reasonable given the quantity and specialized nature of the product. Benchmarking against similar defense apparel contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method typically drives competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on essential military equipment.
Public Impact
Ensures soldiers are equipped with advanced ballistic combat shirts. Supports the Department of the Army's readiness and operational capabilities. Provides specialized apparel for combat environments. Contributes to the defense industrial base through contract awards.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific per-unit cost data for detailed analysis.
- Potential for price fluctuations in raw materials for ballistic materials.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk.
- Clear product specification (Ballistic Combat Shirt Gen II).
Sector Analysis
This award falls within the defense apparel manufacturing sector, specifically for specialized combat gear. Spending benchmarks in this niche are difficult to ascertain without more granular data, but the value reflects significant procurement of tactical equipment.
Small Business Impact
While the prime contractor is Slate Solutions LLC, the data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. The Department of the Army's procurement processes should ensure accountability for this expenditure.
Related Government Programs
- Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
- Potential for supply chain disruptions affecting material availability.
- Need for ongoing quality assurance to ensure ballistic protection standards.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for this specific order.
Tags
apparel-accessories-and-other-apparel-ma, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to SLATE SOLUTIONS LLC. PDM SPE BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT (BCS) GEN II AWARD A (SSL)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SLATE SOLUTIONS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.
What is the per-unit cost of the ballistic combat shirt, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar protective gear?
The provided data does not include the per-unit cost, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks impossible. To assess value, the total award amount ($14.26M) would need to be divided by the number of units procured. Without this, we can only infer reasonableness based on the contract type and competitive process.
What are the specific performance requirements and material standards for the PDM SPE Ballistic Combat Shirt (BCS) Gen II, and how were these verified?
The data identifies the item as 'PDM SPE BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT (BCS) GEN II', implying adherence to specific Department of Defense (DoD) or Soldier Protection Equipment (SPE) standards. Verification methods would typically involve technical inspections and testing during production and delivery, managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR).
How does the pricing of this contract compare to previous awards for similar ballistic combat shirts, considering potential inflation and material cost changes?
A direct price comparison is not feasible with the current data. Historical pricing data for comparable ballistic combat shirts would be required, along with an analysis of inflation rates and raw material cost trends for ballistic fabrics. The firm fixed price nature of this award suggests the contractor has already factored these risks into their bid.
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
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7060 W STATE ROAD 84, DAVIE, FL, 33317
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,256,181
Exercised Options: $14,256,181
Current Obligation: $14,256,181
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W91CRB24D0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-12
Current End Date: 2026-09-11
Potential End Date: 2026-09-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-12
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