DHS awards $40.6M for non-military uniforms, with VF Imagewear Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,655,968 ($40.7M)

Contractor: VF Imagewear, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-10-24

End Date: 2020-10-31

Contract Duration: 373 days

Daily Burn Rate: $109.0K/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 ORDER IS FOR CBP ACADEMY ITEMS AND QUARTERMASTER FUNCTIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37214

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $40.7 million to VF IMAGEWEAR, INC. for work described as: NON-MILITARY UNIFORMS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS ORDER IS FOR CBP ACADEMY ITEMS AND QUARTERMASTER FUNCTIONS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on apparel for CBP Academy and quartermaster functions, indicating a need for specialized uniform items. 2. VF Imagewear, Inc. was the awarded contractor, suggesting established capabilities in apparel manufacturing. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 4. The delivery order period spans from October 2019 to October 2020, covering a one-year term. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 315990 points to the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $40.6 million for non-military uniforms appears reasonable given the scope of providing apparel for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Academy and quartermaster functions. Benchmarking against similar large-scale uniform procurements would provide further context, but the firm fixed-price nature suggests cost control was a consideration. The award to a single contractor, VF Imagewear, Inc., implies they offered the best value under the competitive bidding process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this level of competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors. The process aims to ensure the government receives the best possible value by allowing market forces to drive the selection.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically results in lower prices due to increased vendor participation and a wider range of offerings.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, who will receive necessary uniforms for training and operational duties. The services delivered include the manufacturing and supply of non-military uniform items, crucial for CBP's operational readiness. The geographic impact is national, as CBP operates across various ports of entry and training facilities throughout the United States. Workforce implications include supporting jobs within VF Imagewear, Inc.'s manufacturing and supply chain operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count limits full assessment of competitive intensity.
Details on specific uniform items and quantities are not provided, making granular value analysis difficult.
No information on sustainability or ethical sourcing practices of the contractor is readily available.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Contractor VF Imagewear, Inc. is a known entity in the apparel industry, suggesting experience.
Contract supports critical functions for a major federal agency (DHS/CBP).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing sector (NAICS 315990). This sector encompasses companies that produce a variety of clothing items beyond basic garments, including accessories. Federal spending in this area is often driven by the needs of uniformed services and agencies requiring specific attire for operational or ceremonial purposes. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large uniform procurements by agencies like the Department of Defense, Postal Service, or other law enforcement bodies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless VF Imagewear, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contracting office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods within budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Uniform Procurement
Customs and Border Protection Training Supplies
Federal Apparel Contracts
Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
Risk of quality control issues in apparel manufacturing.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $40.7 million to VF IMAGEWEAR, INC.. NON-MILITARY UNIFORMS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY. THIS ORDER IS FOR CBP ACADEMY ITEMS 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 $40.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-10-24. End: 2020-10-31.

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

VF Imagewear, Inc. has a history of securing government contracts, including significant awards for apparel. While specific details for this DHS contract are limited to the award itself, the company's presence in the market suggests experience in meeting government specifications and delivery requirements. Further analysis would involve examining their performance on other federal contracts, including any past performance evaluations, on-time delivery rates, and quality control metrics. Their ability to consistently meet the demands of large federal agencies like DHS is a key indicator of their capability and reliability in the government contracting space.

How does the awarded price of $40.6 million compare to similar federal uniform procurements?

Direct comparison of the $40.6 million award for non-military uniforms to similar federal procurements requires access to detailed data on contract scope, quantity, material specifications, and duration. Uniform contracts can vary widely based on these factors. For instance, contracts for military combat uniforms might differ significantly in price and complexity from those for training or ceremonial attire. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with comparable items (e.g., general apparel, accessories) awarded to agencies with similar operational needs and over similar timeframes. Without such granular data, assessing whether this price represents exceptional value or is on the higher side is challenging, though the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to contain costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential supply chain disruptions affecting material availability or delivery timelines, quality control issues with the manufactured apparel, and potential cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen manufacturing challenges. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust quality assurance processes by VF Imagewear, Inc., clear delivery schedules and penalties outlined in the contract, and proactive communication between the contractor and DHS/CBP. The government's mitigation also includes the competitive bidding process itself, which selects a contractor deemed capable of managing these risks. The relatively short duration (one year) also limits long-term exposure to market volatility.

How effective is the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific uniform procurement?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of performance are relatively low, as is often the case with standardized apparel manufacturing. For this DHS uniform contract, FFP shifts the primary cost risk to the contractor, VF Imagewear, Inc. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently to maintain profitability. For the government, it provides budget certainty, as the price is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. The effectiveness hinges on the accuracy of the initial price negotiation and the clarity of the specifications; if the specifications are vague or unforeseen issues arise, the contractor might face losses, or the government might receive lower-quality goods if the contractor cuts corners.

What is the historical spending pattern for non-military uniforms by the Department of Homeland Security or CBP?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for non-military uniforms by DHS or CBP would reveal trends in procurement volume, contractor choices, and average costs over time. This specific $40.6 million award represents a significant single-year expenditure. Understanding if this amount is typical, an increase, or a decrease compared to previous years provides context on the program's scale and budget allocation. Historical data could also highlight any recurring issues with specific uniform types or contractors, informing future procurement strategies and risk assessments. Without access to multi-year spending data, it's difficult to establish a definitive historical trend for this particular category of goods.

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: V.F. Corporation

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: $40,655,968

Exercised Options: $40,655,968

Current Obligation: $40,655,968

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSBP1014D00034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline