US Marshals Service Awards $1.4M Colt Contract for Critical Weapon Parts Amidst No-Competition Procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $139,895 ($139.9K)

Contractor: Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-09-27

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 307 days

Daily Burn Rate: $456/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL: APPREHENDING FUGITIVES USMS TD 25390 WEAPON PARTS

Place of Performance

Location: HARTFORD, HARTFORD County, CONNECTICUT, 06144

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $139,895 to COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL: APPREHENDING FUGITIVES USMS TD 25390 WEAPON PARTS Key points: 1. The U.S. Marshals Service is procuring weapon parts valued at $1.4 million. 2. Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC is the sole awardee, indicating a lack of competition. 3. The contract's necessity for 'mission critical' fugitive apprehension highlights potential risks if supply is disrupted. 4. The procurement falls under the 'Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.4 million for weapon parts is difficult to assess without specific part details and market benchmarks. Given the 'not competed' status, it's challenging to determine if this price represents fair market value compared to potential alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process. The justification for sole-source is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overspending, impacting taxpayer value for this critical procurement.

Public Impact

Ensures U.S. Marshals have necessary equipment for fugitive apprehension. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award. Reliance on a single supplier could create supply chain vulnerabilities. Supports a defense manufacturing company.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source procurement
Lack of price competition
Potential supply chain risk

Positive Signals

Mission critical equipment
Supports domestic manufacturing

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing sector. Spending in this area is often driven by defense and law enforcement needs, with prices influenced by specialized production capabilities and material costs.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC, is a large business. There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as subcontractors or competitors.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'not competed' nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement is valid and that the pricing is fair. Accountability for taxpayer funds is crucial in such cases.

Related Government Programs

Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing
Department of Justice Contracting
U.S. Marshals Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Potential for inflated costs due to absence of competition.
Dependency on a single supplier creates supply chain vulnerability.
Urgency of 'mission critical' items may be used to bypass competition.
Lack of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $139,895 to COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC. MISSION CRITICAL: APPREHENDING FUGITIVES USMS TD 25390 WEAPON PARTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $139,895.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-27. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, agencies must document reasons such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other sources. Without this documentation, it's impossible to assess the validity of the sole-source decision or the fairness of the price. Further inquiry with the U.S. Marshals Service would be necessary.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single supplier for 'mission critical' weapon parts, especially if demand fluctuates or unforeseen supply chain disruptions occur?

Sole-source reliance creates significant risk. If Colt's Manufacturing Company faces production issues, material shortages, or labor disputes, the U.S. Marshals Service could experience critical equipment shortages, jeopardizing fugitive apprehension missions. This lack of alternative suppliers also reduces leverage in price negotiations and could lead to extended lead times if demand surges unexpectedly.

How does the firm fixed price contract structure impact the government's ability to manage costs and ensure value for money in this sole-source scenario?

A firm fixed price (FFP) contract aims to provide cost certainty for the government. However, in a sole-source situation, the 'firm' aspect of the price is determined without competitive pressure. While it caps the government's exposure to cost overruns by the contractor, it doesn't guarantee the initial price reflects the best possible value or market rate. The government still bears the risk of paying a potentially inflated price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: WEAPONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 15M10225QA4700395

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: European Holding Company, SE

Address: 545 NEW PARK AVE, WEST HARTFORD, CT, 06110

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $139,895

Exercised Options: $139,895

Current Obligation: $139,895

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline