Department of the Army awards $11.4M contract for ballistic combat shirts to Bethel Industries Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,375,714 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Bethel Industries Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-12

End Date: 2026-09-11

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PDM SPE FO # 0001 - BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT GEN II - AWARD B (BETHEL)

Place of Performance

Location: JERSEY CITY, HUDSON County, NEW JERSEY, 07307

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.4 million to BETHEL INDUSTRIES INC for work described as: PDM SPE FO # 0001 - BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT GEN II - AWARD B (BETHEL) Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in soldier protective gear. 2. Bethel Industries Inc. secured this award through full and open competition. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The duration of the order is one year, indicating a need for ongoing supply. 5. The award falls under the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing NAICS code. 6. The contract is a delivery order against a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $11.4 million for ballistic combat shirts appears reasonable given the quantity and specialized nature of the equipment. Without specific per-unit cost data or direct comparisons to similar recent awards for identical items, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure generally promotes cost control. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a broader procurement strategy, and its value should be considered within that context.

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 offers. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but the competitive nature of the award process suggests that the Department of the Army sought the best value through a broad solicitation. This approach typically leads to a more robust price discovery mechanism.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings for the government.

Public Impact

Soldiers in the U.S. Army will receive advanced ballistic combat shirts, enhancing their protection. The contract supports the manufacturing and supply chain for essential military apparel. The geographic impact is primarily in New Jersey, where Bethel Industries Inc. is located. The award sustains jobs within the apparel manufacturing sector, particularly in New Jersey.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific per-unit cost data makes detailed value-for-money assessment challenging.
The duration of the delivery order (one year) may necessitate future competitive procurements for sustained supply.
Information on the number of bidders is not provided, limiting a deeper analysis of competitive intensity.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Bethel Industries Inc. is a domestic manufacturer, supporting U.S. industry.

Sector Analysis

The apparel manufacturing sector, particularly for specialized military gear, is a niche but critical part of the defense industrial base. This contract falls under NAICS code 315990 (Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing). The market for military uniforms and protective equipment is characterized by stringent quality requirements and often involves competitive bidding processes to ensure value and performance. Spending in this area is driven by the need to equip and protect service members.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary award went to Bethel Industries Inc., a presumably larger entity. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Bethel Industries Inc. engages small businesses as subcontractors for materials or specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order, which is typically subject to the oversight mechanisms of the parent contract vehicle. The firm-fixed-price nature provides a degree of cost accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Specific oversight details, such as reporting requirements or quality assurance checks, would be outlined in the master contract and the delivery order terms and conditions. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
Army Combat Uniform and Equipment Contracts
Apparel Manufacturing Contracts
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Troop Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential supply chain disruption risk due to single awardee.
Limited transparency on number of bidders impacts competition assessment.
Lack of per-unit cost data hinders detailed value benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.4 million to BETHEL INDUSTRIES INC. PDM SPE FO # 0001 - BALLISTIC COMBAT SHIRT GEN II - AWARD B (BETHEL)

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 $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.

What is the historical spending pattern for ballistic combat shirts by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for ballistic combat shirts requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific contract, valued at $11.4 million with a one-year duration, represents a single instance of spending. To understand broader trends, one would need to aggregate data on similar contracts awarded to various vendors for ballistic combat shirts, noting fluctuations in award values, quantities, and contract types. Factors influencing these patterns include changes in military requirements, technological advancements in protective gear, budget allocations, and the competitive landscape. Without a longitudinal dataset, it is difficult to ascertain if this award is indicative of increased, decreased, or stable spending in this category.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar ballistic combat shirt contracts awarded in the past year?

A direct comparison of pricing for this $11.4 million contract requires access to per-unit cost data for comparable ballistic combat shirts awarded recently. The provided data does not include unit pricing, only the total award value. To perform a benchmark analysis, one would need to identify contracts for similar items (e.g., Generation II ballistic combat shirts) awarded by the Department of Defense or other military branches within the last 12-18 months. Key metrics for comparison would include the price per shirt, considering variations in material, design specifications, and quantity. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests cost predictability, but without unit cost data, assessing whether the price is competitive or represents exceptional value for money remains challenging.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract, and how is Bethel Industries Inc.'s performance being measured?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific contract. However, for a contract involving the delivery of ballistic combat shirts, typical performance metrics would likely include on-time delivery, adherence to quality specifications (e.g., material standards, ballistic protection levels), defect rates, and compliance with contract terms. Bethel Industries Inc.'s performance would be measured against these established criteria. The contract type (firm-fixed-price) implies that the contractor is responsible for meeting these performance standards within the agreed-upon price. Government quality assurance representatives would likely be involved in inspecting the delivered goods to ensure they meet all requirements before acceptance.

What is the track record of Bethel Industries Inc. in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for apparel or protective gear?

Bethel Industries Inc. has a history of fulfilling government contracts, as evidenced by this award. To assess their track record thoroughly, a review of their past performance on similar contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining contract completion history, any instances of contract disputes or terminations, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and their experience with producing specialized apparel like ballistic combat gear. Companies that consistently meet delivery schedules, quality standards, and budgetary requirements generally have a positive track record. Without access to a comprehensive database of their past government contract performance, it's difficult to provide a definitive assessment, but securing this award suggests they meet the necessary qualifications and have likely demonstrated satisfactory performance in prior engagements.

What is the potential risk associated with the supply chain for these ballistic combat shirts, given the single award to Bethel Industries Inc.?

The primary risk associated with the supply chain for these ballistic combat shirts, given a single award to Bethel Industries Inc., revolves around potential disruptions. If Bethel Industries Inc. experiences production issues, raw material shortages, labor problems, or logistical challenges, the supply of critical protective gear to the Army could be impacted. The one-year duration of this delivery order mitigates some long-term supply chain risk compared to a multi-year contract. However, the government's reliance on a single source for this specific order necessitates robust monitoring of the contractor's operations and contingency planning. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that multiple sources were considered, potentially reducing the risk of a sole-source dependency in the future.

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: 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: $11,375,714

Exercised Options: $11,375,714

Current Obligation: $11,375,714

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W91CRB24D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline