DHS awards $63.7M for CBP clothing and services, with Workwear Outfitters, LLC as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,729,857 ($63.7M)

Contractor: Workwear Outfitters, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-10-31

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 426 days

Daily Burn Rate: $149.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FUNDING FOR ACADEMY CLASSES, QUARTERMASTER SERVICES, AND HARDSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37214

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $63.7 million to WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC for work described as: FUNDING FOR ACADEMY CLASSES, QUARTERMASTER SERVICES, AND HARDSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential items like academy classes and quartermaster services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a broad market approach. 3. The contract duration is 426 days, indicating a medium-term requirement. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award value is substantial, reflecting significant operational needs for CBP. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 424320 points to a wholesale merchant for men's and boys' clothing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $63.7 million for workwear and related services appears reasonable given the scope for a federal agency like Customs and Border Protection. Benchmarking against similar contracts for uniform and apparel provision to large government entities would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to ensure cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for efficient spending.

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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet its needs.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lowering the overall cost to the government.

Public Impact

Provides essential clothing and services to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. Supports the operational readiness of CBP officers and agents. The services likely impact CBP facilities and training academies across the nation. Ensures CBP personnel are equipped with appropriate attire for their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific detail on the number of bidders in the full and open competition.
Absence of granular data on the breakdown of costs for academy classes versus quartermaster services.
No information provided on potential subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing market access.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
The contract addresses critical operational needs for a key federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the apparel and textile wholesale sector, specifically focusing on men's and boys' clothing. The market for government uniform and apparel contracts is significant, with agencies like DHS, DoD, and others regularly procuring such goods. Benchmarking against other large federal apparel contracts would reveal if this $63.7 million award is within typical spending ranges for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'sb' field is false and the contract is not a small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Workwear Outfitters, LLC, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or service delivery for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. The firm fixed-price nature provides some level of cost control. Transparency regarding specific performance metrics and delivery schedules would be key to assessing accountability. Inspector General involvement would be triggered by any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Procurement
Federal Uniform and Apparel Contracts
Men's and Boys' Clothing Wholesale

Risk Flags

Vague contract description regarding 'hardship requirements'.
Lack of specific bidder count for full and open competition.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $63.7 million to WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC. FUNDING FOR ACADEMY CLASSES, QUARTERMASTER SERVICES, AND HARDSHIP REQUIREMENTS FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC.

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 $63.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-31. End: 2023-12-31.

What is the specific breakdown of services and goods provided under this contract, and how are they categorized?

The contract data indicates funding for 'ACADEMY CLASSES, QUARTERMASTER SERVICES, AND HARDSHIP REQUIREMENTS' for Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While 'quartermaster services' typically refers to the supply and management of provisions, including uniforms and equipment, the inclusion of 'academy classes' suggests a broader scope than just apparel. This could encompass training materials, logistical support for training programs, or even the provision of specific attire required for different training modules. 'Hardship requirements' likely refers to specialized gear or clothing needed for challenging operational environments or unforeseen circumstances faced by CBP personnel. A detailed statement of work (SOW) would be necessary to fully delineate the specific goods and services procured under these categories.

How does the $63.7 million award compare to historical spending for similar CBP uniform and equipment needs?

To assess the $63.7 million award against historical spending, one would need to analyze CBP's procurement history for uniforms, apparel, and related services over previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts with similar scope (e.g., providing clothing, equipment, and potentially training support) and comparing their total values and durations. Factors such as inflation, changes in CBP's operational requirements, and the number of personnel to be equipped would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without access to CBP's historical procurement data, it is difficult to definitively state whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these needs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for contracts involving the supply of goods like uniforms and equipment, KPIs might include on-time delivery rates, order accuracy, quality of materials, and responsiveness to requests for hardship items. SLAs would define the expected standards for these metrics, often with associated penalties for non-compliance. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns if performance targets are not met, but the specific metrics governing this would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance clauses.

What is the track record of Workwear Outfitters, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for apparel and services?

Assessing the track record of Workwear Outfitters, LLC requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards to this contractor, noting the agencies involved, the value and duration of those contracts, and the types of goods or services provided. Performance evaluations, if available, would offer insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to contract terms. A review of any past disputes, contract terminations, or significant performance issues would also be crucial in understanding their capabilities and reliability as a federal contractor.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'hardship requirements' mentioned in the contract description?

The 'hardship requirements' mentioned in the contract description for CBP could entail several risks. Firstly, the nature of these requirements is vague, potentially leading to scope creep or disputes over what constitutes a 'hardship' item. Secondly, these items might be specialized, requiring rapid procurement or custom manufacturing, which can increase costs and lead times, and potentially introduce quality control challenges. Thirdly, if these are related to extreme environmental conditions or unique operational needs, there's a risk that standard off-the-shelf solutions may not suffice, necessitating higher-cost, specialized equipment. Finally, ensuring equitable distribution and appropriate use of these hardship items across diverse CBP operational units could present logistical and management risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers › Men's and Boys' Clothing and Furnishings Merchant Wholesalers

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

Address: 545 MARRIOTT DR STE 100, 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: $63,787,560

Exercised Options: $63,729,857

Current Obligation: $63,729,857

Actual Outlays: $62,144,481

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B01C20D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline