CBP awards $63.7M for uniforms, with a significant portion allocated to Workwear Outfitters, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,727,487 ($63.7M)

Contractor: Workwear Outfitters, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-11-02

End Date: 2025-09-15

Contract Duration: 683 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY 2024 ALLOWANCE AND ACADEMY UNIFORM

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: FY 2024 ALLOWANCE AND ACADEMY UNIFORM Key points: 1. Contract value represents a substantial investment in essential personnel equipment. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of the contract extends over multiple fiscal years, indicating ongoing needs. 5. The specific product service code points to a niche in men's and boys' apparel. 6. The contract's value is notable within the context of uniform procurement for large agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $63.7 million for uniforms appears reasonable given the scale of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. While specific per-unit cost benchmarks are not provided, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined to be acceptable at the time of award. Comparing this to other large federal uniform procurements would offer further insight into its value-for-money proposition. The duration of the contract also suggests a stable and predictable cost over several years.

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 specific number of bidders is not detailed, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive down prices and ensure fair market value. The agency likely sought to maximize the number of potential offerors to secure the best possible terms and pricing for these essential uniform items.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the most cost-effective solution for uniform procurement, preventing inflated prices and ensuring efficient use of federal funds.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement officers within U.S. Customs and Border Protection are the primary beneficiaries, receiving necessary uniform components. The contract ensures the provision of men's and boys' clothing and furnishings, crucial for operational readiness. The geographic impact is national, covering all CBP personnel requiring these uniform items. Workforce implications include ensuring that CBP agents are properly equipped, which can impact morale and operational effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future delivery orders if not carefully managed.
Dependence on a single primary contractor for a significant portion of uniform needs.
Risk of supply chain disruptions impacting timely delivery of critical uniform items.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits the government's exposure to cost escalations.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market was tapped for this requirement.
Contract duration provides stability and predictability in uniform supply for CBP.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the apparel and textiles sector, specifically focusing on uniform and workwear provisions for government agencies. The market for federal uniform procurement is competitive, with several established suppliers vying for these contracts. The size of this award, over $63 million, indicates a significant requirement, likely driven by the large personnel numbers at CBP. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal agencies' uniform contracts, such as those for the FBI, DEA, or other components of Homeland Security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary awardee, Workwear Outfitters, LLC, is likely a larger entity. While there is no direct small business set-aside, there is potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses, depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the goods and services required. The absence of a set-aside means the competition was open to all business sizes.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified goods by a certain date. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this expenditure.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Uniform Procurement
Federal Law Enforcement Apparel Contracts
Homeland Security Agency Supply Chain Management
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts for Apparel

Risk Flags

Potential for supply chain disruptions
Contractor performance variability over contract duration
Market price fluctuations for raw materials (textiles)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $63.7 million to WORKWEAR OUTFITTERS, LLC. FY 2024 ALLOWANCE AND ACADEMY UNIFORM

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: 2023-11-02. End: 2025-09-15.

What is the historical spending pattern for uniform procurement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the last five fiscal years?

Analyzing historical spending for CBP uniform procurement requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. Typically, agencies like CBP award multiple contracts for uniforms annually, often through various mechanisms including GSA schedules, other agency contracts, and direct procurements. Spending can fluctuate based on changes in personnel numbers, uniform policy updates, and the specific types of uniforms required (e.g., tactical gear vs. dress uniforms). A comprehensive review would likely show a consistent annual expenditure in the tens of millions of dollars, with variations year-over-year. The current award of $63.7 million for FY2024-2025 suggests a significant, potentially consolidated, procurement effort for a specific category of uniforms, possibly reflecting an increase in demand or a strategic shift in procurement strategy.

How does the per-unit cost of items under this contract compare to similar items procured by other federal agencies?

A precise per-unit cost comparison is challenging without detailed line-item data from this contract and comparable contracts. However, the firm fixed-price nature of this award suggests that the pricing was benchmarked against market rates or previous contract data during the solicitation process. Federal agencies often leverage GSA schedules or participate in cooperative purchasing initiatives to achieve better per-unit pricing. If this contract was awarded competitively, it implies that Workwear Outfitters, LLC offered prices deemed favorable by CBP. To conduct a true comparison, one would need to identify specific uniform items (e.g., shirts, pants, jackets) and their corresponding prices from this contract and then find identical or highly similar items procured by agencies like the FBI, DEA, or TSA, adjusting for any quantity or specification differences.

What is the track record of Workwear Outfitters, LLC in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for uniform supply?

Workwear Outfitters, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, as indicated by its presence in federal procurement databases. To assess their track record specifically for uniform supply, a deeper dive into their past performance is necessary. This would involve reviewing contract histories for on-time delivery, quality of goods provided, and any past performance issues or disputes. Federal agencies typically evaluate past performance as a key factor in award decisions. A positive track record with previous government uniform contracts would suggest a lower risk for CBP in terms of delivery and quality. Conversely, any documented issues could raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the current contract's demands effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with a multi-year contract for uniform supply, and how are they mitigated?

Multi-year contracts for uniform supply, like this one extending to September 2025, carry several potential risks. These include the risk of price escalation if market conditions change unfavorably, the risk of contractor performance degradation over time, and the risk of obsolescence if uniform requirements evolve. Mitigation strategies employed by agencies often include firm fixed-price structures to lock in costs, performance clauses that allow for remedies or termination for default, and regular performance reviews. For this specific contract, the firm fixed-price element is a key mitigation against cost increases. CBP's oversight and the potential for delivery orders allow for monitoring and addressing performance issues as they arise, ensuring the continued supply of necessary uniforms.

How does the total contract value compare to the agency's overall budget for personnel equipment or operational support?

The $63.7 million allocated for uniforms represents a significant, but likely specific, portion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) overall budget. CBP's total annual budget is in the billions of dollars, covering a vast array of operational expenses including personnel salaries, technology, equipment, infrastructure, and border security operations. Uniform procurement is a critical but relatively niche expenditure within this larger budget. To contextualize this $63.7 million, it would need to be compared against CBP's allocated funds for 'Procurement, Construction, and Improvements' or specific 'Operations and Support' sub-categories related to equipment and supplies. While substantial for uniforms, it is a fraction of the agency's total financial footprint.

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

Parent Company: VF Imagewear, Inc.

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: $63,727,487

Exercised Options: $63,727,487

Current Obligation: $63,727,487

Actual Outlays: $61,932,201

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B01C20D00000004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline