DHS Spends $43M on Non-Military Uniforms, with VF Imagewear Dominating Apparel Manufacturing Contracts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,997,395 ($43.0M)

Contractor: VF Imagewear, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2018-10-25

End Date: 2020-10-31

Contract Duration: 737 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NON-MILITARY UNIFORMS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO FUND CBPS ALLOWANCE ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS ACADEMY, HARDSHIP AND QUARTERMASTER FUNCTIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37214

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $43.0 million to VF IMAGEWEAR, INC. for work described as: NON-MILITARY UNIFORMS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO FUND CBPS ALLOWANCE ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS ACADEMY, HARDSHIP AND QUARTERMASTER FUNCTIONS. Key points: 1. VF Imagewear, Inc. secured a significant portion of federal spending on apparel manufacturing. 2. The contract supports essential functions like CBP allowance accounts, academy, hardship, and quartermaster needs. 3. This delivery order represents a substantial investment in the uniform supply chain for border protection. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The duration of the order indicates a sustained need for these uniform supplies. 6. The contract falls under the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.99 million for non-military uniforms appears reasonable given the scope of supporting CBP allowance accounts, academy, hardship, and quartermaster functions. Benchmarking against similar large-scale uniform procurements for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure generally offers cost certainty. The absence of specific performance metrics makes a detailed assessment of efficiency challenging, but the sustained duration suggests consistent delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for uniform manufacturing. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing by allowing all qualified sources to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, ensuring that the government is not overpaying for goods and services.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel benefit from the provision of necessary non-military uniforms. The contract supports the operational readiness of CBP by ensuring officers and agents have appropriate attire. Services delivered include funding allowance accounts and supporting academy, hardship, and quartermaster functions. The geographic impact is national, as CBP operates across all U.S. borders and within the country. Workforce implications include ensuring a professional appearance and potentially morale for uniformed personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on a single large contractor (VF Imagewear) for critical uniform needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the efficiency and quality of uniform delivery.
The broad scope of 'allowance accounts' could mask variations in individual spending or needs.
Limited insight into the specific types and quantities of uniforms procured under this order.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration of over two years indicates a stable and ongoing need, potentially leading to economies of scale.
Supports essential operational functions for a critical law enforcement agency (CBP).

Sector Analysis

The federal apparel and accessories market is substantial, with significant spending directed towards uniforms for various agencies. NAICS code 315990, Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing, encompasses companies that produce a wide range of clothing items beyond basic apparel. VF Imagewear, Inc. is a major player in this sector, holding numerous government contracts. This specific contract represents a notable portion of spending within this niche, highlighting the government's reliance on established manufacturers for specialized uniform needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the 'ss' field is also false, suggesting no specific small business set-aside was applied. While VF Imagewear, Inc. is a large corporation, the potential for subcontracting to smaller businesses within the apparel manufacturing supply chain exists, though it is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless significant subcontracting opportunities arise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract simplifies some aspects of financial oversight, focusing on delivery and compliance rather than cost variations. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, but detailed operational performance data may be less accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Uniform Procurement
Federal Prison System Uniforms
Postal Service Uniform Contracts
Law Enforcement Agency Uniforms
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Apparel

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain vulnerability due to reliance on a single large contractor.
Quality control adherence to strict uniform specifications is critical.
Long contract duration may introduce unforeseen market or production risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $43.0 million to VF IMAGEWEAR, INC.. NON-MILITARY UNIFORMS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS DELIVERY ORDER IS TO FUND CBPS ALLOWANCE ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS ACADEMY, HARDSHIP AND QUARTERMASTER FUNCTIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VF IMAGEWEAR, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-10-25. End: 2020-10-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for non-military uniforms by the Department of Homeland Security, and how does this contract compare?

Historical spending data for DHS non-military uniforms reveals a consistent need, particularly for agencies like CBP. Prior to this $43 million delivery order, DHS has allocated significant funds annually for various uniform components, often through multiple contracts. This specific order, covering a period from late 2018 to late 2020, represents a substantial single investment. Comparing it to previous years requires analyzing aggregated spending across similar NAICS codes (like 315990) and contract types. While this $43 million figure is significant for a single delivery order, DHS's total annual uniform expenditure across all its components likely fluctuates based on recruitment, replacement cycles, and specific operational requirements. Without granular historical data broken down by specific uniform types and agencies within DHS, a precise year-over-year comparison is difficult, but this order clearly indicates a major procurement event for CBP's uniform needs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar uniform items?

Assessing the precise pricing benchmark for this $43 million contract is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the specific uniform items procured (e.g., shirts, pants, jackets, accessories) and their quantities. However, the contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally drives prices towards market rates. VF Imagewear, Inc. is a large, established manufacturer, suggesting they likely operate with competitive pricing structures. To perform a true benchmark, one would need to compare the unit prices of individual uniform components against catalog prices from other government-approved vendors or commercial equivalents, adjusted for bulk purchasing and specific federal specifications. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the government has locked in these costs, implying a level of confidence in their competitiveness at the time of award. Further analysis would require access to the detailed line-item pricing within the delivery order.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate VF Imagewear's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate VF Imagewear's performance under this specific delivery order. However, for federal uniform contracts, common KPIs typically revolve around delivery timeliness (on-time delivery rates), quality control (defect rates, adherence to specifications), order fulfillment accuracy (correct items and quantities shipped), and responsiveness to inquiries or issues. Given the contract's duration and the nature of uniform supply, metrics related to inventory management and stock availability might also be relevant, especially for supporting allowance accounts. The firm fixed-price structure implies that performance is primarily assessed against meeting the contractual requirements for delivery of specified goods, rather than cost efficiency, although cost overruns are generally not permissible.

What is the track record of VF Imagewear, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for apparel and uniforms?

VF Imagewear, Inc. has a significant and established track record in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly within the apparel and uniform sector. As a major manufacturer, they have historically secured numerous contracts with various government agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and other civilian agencies requiring uniforms and related apparel. Their experience spans a wide range of products, from tactical gear to everyday uniforms. Publicly available contract databases often show VF Imagewear as a frequent awardee for large-scale apparel procurements. This extensive history suggests a proven capability in meeting government specifications, managing complex supply chains, and delivering large volumes of products. While specific performance details for every contract are not always public, their continued success in winning competitive bids indicates a generally positive performance history and reliability as a federal contractor in this domain.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as supply chain disruptions or quality control issues?

Potential risks associated with this contract, like any large-scale apparel procurement, include supply chain disruptions and quality control issues. For a contract valued at $43 million and spanning over two years, reliance on a single manufacturer (VF Imagewear) introduces a risk if their production capacity is unexpectedly impacted by labor shortages, material availability, or unforeseen events. Quality control is another critical area; deviations from strict military or law enforcement uniform specifications could lead to functional failures or safety concerns for personnel. While the firm fixed-price contract incentivizes adherence to specifications, rigorous government inspection and acceptance processes are crucial to mitigate quality risks. Furthermore, the long duration could see shifts in material costs or manufacturing challenges that, while contractually fixed, might strain the supplier's profitability and potentially impact long-term reliability if not managed proactively.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Premier Trailer Leasing Inc.

Address: 545 MARRIOTT DRIVE STE 200, NASHVILLE, TN, 37214

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $42,997,395

Exercised Options: $42,997,395

Current Obligation: $42,997,395

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSBP1014D00034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline