Department of the Army awards $68.1M for GEN III ECWCS KIT, with 3 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,128,206 ($68.1M)

Contractor: Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-07-13

End Date: 2010-04-30

Contract Duration: 291 days

Daily Burn Rate: $234.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GEN III ECWCS KIT:

Place of Performance

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA BEACH (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23452

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $68.1 million to ATLANTIC DIVING SUPPLY, INC. for work described as: GEN III ECWCS KIT: Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed price contract and competitive nature. 2. Competition dynamics show a healthy level of interest with three bidders. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the firm fixed price structure and established product. 4. Performance context is for a standard clothing system, suggesting predictable execution. 5. Sector positioning is within apparel manufacturing, a mature industry.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $68.1 million for the GEN III ECWCS KIT appears to be within a reasonable range for a large-scale procurement of specialized clothing. The firm fixed price structure suggests that the government has locked in costs, providing budget certainty. Benchmarking against similar large-scale military clothing procurements would offer further insight, but the competitive nature of this award implies a degree of price discovery that supports its value.

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 presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three is a respectable number that likely prevented significant price inflation and ensured a degree of market responsiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, leading to more efficient pricing and potentially better quality products for the military.

Public Impact

Soldiers in the U.S. Army will benefit from the provision of the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) Generation III. This contract delivers essential cold-weather gear, crucial for maintaining operational readiness in diverse climates. The geographic impact is nationwide, as the procured items will be distributed to Army units across various installations. Workforce implications include support for manufacturing jobs within the apparel sector, particularly at Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
Ensuring consistent quality across all manufactured units is critical for soldier safety and performance.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract mitigates cost overrun risks.
Established product (GEN III ECWCS) reduces technical and performance risks.
Award to a single, established contractor simplifies management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Other Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector. This is a mature industry with established supply chains and manufacturing capabilities. The market size for military-specific apparel is significant, driven by the ongoing needs of defense organizations globally. This procurement represents a substantial order for specialized cold-weather gear, fitting within the broader landscape of defense contracting for essential soldier equipment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain. Further investigation into subcontracting reports would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting command and potentially the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). Accountability is established through the firm fixed price contract terms and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be less public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Army Combat Uniforms
Military Cold Weather Gear
Tactical Apparel Procurement
Department of Defense Clothing Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for delivery delays if supply chain issues arise.
Ensuring consistent quality across all units is paramount for soldier effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $68.1 million to ATLANTIC DIVING SUPPLY, INC.. GEN III ECWCS KIT:

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATLANTIC DIVING SUPPLY, 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 $68.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-13. End: 2010-04-30.

What is the historical spending trend for the GEN III ECWCS KIT by the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending for the GEN III ECWCS KIT requires accessing procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific award covers a period from July 2009 to April 2010, subsequent procurements of the same or updated ECWCS generations would provide a clearer trend. Generally, the Army procures such essential gear on a recurring basis to equip new soldiers and replace worn-out items. Factors like changes in operational tempo, new technology adoption, and budget allocations influence the year-over-year spending. Without access to a comprehensive database of all ECWCS procurements, it's difficult to establish a precise trend, but it's reasonable to assume consistent, albeit fluctuating, annual spending to maintain adequate stock levels.

How does the per-unit cost of this ECWCS kit compare to similar items procured by other military branches?

Determining the precise per-unit cost requires dividing the total contract value ($68,128,206.32) by the number of units procured, which is not explicitly stated in the provided data. However, assuming a large quantity purchase, the per-unit cost would be a key metric for comparison. Benchmarking against similar cold-weather clothing systems procured by the Navy, Air Force, or Marines would be necessary. Factors such as specific material requirements, design variations, and the competitive landscape at the time of each branch's procurement can lead to cost differences. A preliminary assessment suggests that for a specialized, high-performance system like the GEN III ECWCS, costs are likely to be in the tens to low hundreds of dollars per component or set, depending on the specific item within the kit.

What are the key performance requirements and quality assurance measures for the GEN III ECWCS KIT?

The GEN III ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) is designed to provide soldiers with modular protection against a wide range of cold-weather conditions, from mild cold to extreme cold. Key performance requirements typically include thermal insulation, breathability (to manage moisture), water resistance/waterproofness, wind resistance, durability, and low noise signature. The system is modular, allowing soldiers to layer components based on temperature and activity level. Quality assurance measures would involve rigorous testing of materials and finished products against military specifications (e.g., MIL-SPEC standards). This includes testing for thermal protective qualities (e.g., using methods like CLO values), seam strength, fabric abrasion resistance, and waterproofness/breathability ratings. The contractor, Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc., would be subject to government inspections and acceptance testing to ensure compliance.

What is the track record of Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. in fulfilling Department of Defense contracts, particularly for apparel?

Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. has a history of receiving and fulfilling contracts with the Department of Defense, as evidenced by this award. Their specialization in diving equipment and related gear suggests a capability in handling specialized apparel and equipment procurement. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their contract history for similar items, including on-time delivery rates, quality performance metrics, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of their contract portfolio would reveal the extent of their experience with large-scale apparel contracts and their overall performance reliability within the defense supply chain. Their ability to win this competitive bid suggests a positive past performance or a competitive pricing strategy.

Are there any known risks associated with the GEN III ECWCS system itself, independent of the contractor?

The GEN III ECWCS is a well-established and widely used system within the U.S. military, generally considered effective for its intended purpose. However, like any complex equipment system, potential risks can exist. These might include issues related to the specific materials used (e.g., long-term durability of advanced membranes), the effectiveness of certain layering combinations in extreme or rapidly changing conditions, or user error in selecting the appropriate layers for the given environment and activity level. Manufacturing defects, though mitigated by quality assurance, are always a possibility. Furthermore, as technology evolves, the system might eventually be superseded by newer materials or designs offering improved performance or lighter weight, posing a 'risk' of obsolescence over the very long term, though it remains a current standard.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing › Other 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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W911QY06R0005

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ADS Tactical, Inc. (UEI: 078857127)

Address: 477 VIKING DRIVE, SUITE 350, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $68,128,206

Exercised Options: $68,128,206

Current Obligation: $68,128,206

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W911QY07D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline