DHS awards $84K for nitrile gloves to LC Industries Inc. for TSA screening at Logan Airport

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $84,071 ($84.1K)

Contractor: LC Industries Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-11-26

End Date: 2025-12-17

Contract Duration: 21 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 705 CASES OF GLOVES OF 5 MIL NITRILE GLOVES FOR SCREENING OPERATIONS TO TSA AT BOS LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BOS)

Place of Performance

Location: EAST BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02128

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $84,071.25 to LC INDUSTRIES INC for work described as: 705 CASES OF GLOVES OF 5 MIL NITRILE GLOVES FOR SCREENING OPERATIONS TO TSA AT BOS LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BOS) Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for the quantity and type of goods procured. 2. Competition was not sought for this emergency procurement, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The short duration of the contract suggests an immediate need for supplies. 4. This procurement supports essential screening operations at a major transportation hub. 5. The contractor, LC Industries Inc., has a history of supplying similar goods to the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $84,071.25 for 705 cases of nitrile gloves seems aligned with market rates for such essential supplies. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) indicates that the price per case is within a competitive range, especially considering the specific requirements and delivery timeline. The firm-fixed-price structure further suggests that the government has secured a predictable cost for these goods.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) identified a specific need that could only be met by a particular vendor, or that the circumstances necessitated an expedited award without full and open competition. The absence of multiple bidders means that price discovery through competitive bidding was not utilized, which is typical for emergency or specialized procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: While sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices due to lack of competition, the overall value of this contract is relatively small, minimizing the direct financial impact on taxpayers. The focus here is likely on ensuring immediate operational continuity.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), who will receive necessary protective equipment. The services delivered include the provision of 705 cases of 5-mil nitrile gloves for screening operations. The geographic impact is localized to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in Massachusetts. This contract ensures the continued safety and operational capability of TSA screening personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.
The short delivery window could have limited the pool of potential suppliers, impacting competition.
Reliance on a single source for critical supplies can pose a risk if the contractor faces production or delivery issues.

Positive Signals

The contract supports essential screening operations, ensuring the safety of personnel and the public.
The contractor, LC Industries Inc., is an established supplier of similar goods to the federal government.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader category of government procurement for essential supplies and services, specifically personal protective equipment (PPE). The market for nitrile gloves is substantial, with numerous domestic and international manufacturers and distributors. Government agencies frequently procure such items to support operational needs, particularly in security and emergency response contexts. The value of this specific award is modest within the overall federal spending landscape for supplies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this specific award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem or involve set-aside provisions.

Oversight & Accountability

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a delivery order under an existing contract vehicle, the terms and conditions are likely pre-defined. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General oversight would typically apply to the broader agency operations and procurement processes.

Related Government Programs

Personal Protective Equipment Procurement
TSA Operational Supplies
Department of Homeland Security Emergency Supplies

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Short performance period could indicate an urgent need or potential supply chain issues.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical supplies carries inherent risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $84,071.25 to LC INDUSTRIES INC. 705 CASES OF GLOVES OF 5 MIL NITRILE GLOVES FOR SCREENING OPERATIONS TO TSA AT BOS LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (BOS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LC INDUSTRIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $84,071.25.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-11-26. End: 2025-12-17.

What is the track record of LC Industries Inc. in supplying nitrile gloves to the federal government?

LC Industries Inc. has a history of supplying various goods, including gloves, to federal agencies. While specific details on the volume and value of past nitrile glove contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their inclusion as a supplier suggests they have met previous government requirements. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would reveal the extent of their past performance, including contract values, delivery timeliness, and any reported issues. This information would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and capability for this specific TSA requirement.

How does the price per case of these nitrile gloves compare to similar government contracts?

Without direct comparative data from similar, recently awarded government contracts for 5-mil nitrile gloves, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the total award of $84,071.25 for 705 cases equates to approximately $119.25 per case. This price point needs to be evaluated against prevailing market rates and recent government procurements for similar quantities and quality. Factors such as bulk discounts, specific certifications required, and urgency of delivery can influence pricing. A thorough analysis would involve searching procurement databases for contracts with comparable specifications awarded within the last 6-12 months to establish a more accurate value-for-money assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through full and open competition. Without competing offers, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to drive down costs. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of available qualified vendors or an urgent need that precludes a competitive process, which could signal underlying supply chain vulnerabilities or poor planning. For this specific contract, the risk is mitigated by the relatively small dollar amount and the short performance period, suggesting the immediate need outweighed the benefits of a lengthy competitive solicitation.

How effective is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in managing its supply chain for essential screening equipment?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the TSA's supply chain management based on this single contract award is challenging. This award represents a small, specific procurement for nitrile gloves. The TSA's effectiveness would be better evaluated by examining their broader procurement strategies, inventory management systems, contract performance metrics across various categories of equipment, and their ability to anticipate and respond to supply chain disruptions. Factors such as lead times, stock availability, and the frequency of emergency or sole-source procurements could provide insights into their supply chain resilience and efficiency.

What are the historical spending patterns for nitrile gloves by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or TSA?

Historical spending data for nitrile gloves by DHS and TSA would provide context for this $84,071.25 award. Analyzing past contract awards for similar items would reveal trends in pricing, volume, and the typical procurement methods used (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source). If DHS/TSA has consistently spent similar amounts or more on nitrile gloves, it suggests this award is in line with historical needs. Conversely, a significant deviation could indicate changes in operational requirements, market prices, or procurement strategies. Accessing historical contract databases would be necessary to quantify these patterns.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services › Emergency and Other Relief Services

Product/Service Code: CLOTHING, INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT, INSIGNA, AND JEWELRY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4500 EMPEROR BLVD, DURHAM, NC, 27703

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $84,071

Exercised Options: $84,071

Current Obligation: $84,071

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RDAD22D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline