DHS Awards $1.1M for Body Armor to Central Lake Armor Express Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,104,237 ($1.1M)

Contractor: Central Lake Armor Express Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-08-31

End Date: 2022-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $605/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BODY ARMOR - FPS

Place of Performance

Location: CENTRAL LAKE, ANTRIM County, MICHIGAN, 49622

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $1.1 million to CENTRAL LAKE ARMOR EXPRESS INC for work described as: BODY ARMOR - FPS Key points: 1. The contract for body armor was awarded to Central Lake Armor Express Inc. 2. The total award value is $1,104,236.80. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The contract duration is 1826 days, ending August 31, 2022. 5. The product service code is not specified, but the North American Industry Classification System code is 315990 (Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $1.1M for body armor over a 5-year period appears reasonable given the nature of the product and the duration of the contract. Benchmarking against similar contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition generally promotes competitive pricing, which is beneficial for taxpayers. However, the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation to ensure optimal value.

Public Impact

Ensures U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel are equipped with necessary protective gear. Supports a domestic manufacturer in Michigan. The extended contract duration provides a stable supply chain for critical equipment. The fixed-price contract type limits the government's exposure to cost overruns.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusion of sources in competition
Lack of specific product service code

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized
Firm fixed price contract
Long-term contract for supply stability

Sector Analysis

The apparel manufacturing sector, particularly for specialized protective gear like body armor, requires adherence to strict quality and safety standards. Spending in this sector is driven by defense, law enforcement, and public safety needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring and compliance checks to ensure delivery of quality products and adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion
Lack of detailed product specifications
No clear indication of small business participation
Long contract duration without clear performance milestones

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $1.1 million to CENTRAL LAKE ARMOR EXPRESS INC. BODY ARMOR - FPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CENTRAL LAKE ARMOR EXPRESS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-08-31. End: 2022-08-31.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in the 'full and open competition' process?

The rationale for excluding specific sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award typically relates to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or unique capabilities that only a limited number of vendors can meet. Without further details on the solicitation, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons, but it suggests a need for specialized or pre-qualified suppliers.

How does the unit cost of this body armor compare to industry benchmarks for similar protective equipment?

A direct comparison of unit cost is not possible without knowing the specific type and protection level of the body armor. However, the total award of $1.1M over five years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $220,000. This figure needs to be broken down by the number of units procured to establish a per-unit cost for meaningful benchmarking against industry standards.

What is the potential impact of the 'exclusion of sources' on the overall effectiveness and value for money achieved in this contract?

The exclusion of sources, even within a full and open competition framework, can limit the competitive landscape. If the excluded sources could have offered comparable or superior products at a better price, the government might not have achieved the best possible value. This practice can be justified if the excluded sources failed to meet stringent technical or performance criteria, but it warrants scrutiny to ensure it doesn't inadvertently reduce competition.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HSCEMS-17-Q-00004

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7915 CAMERON ST, CENTRAL LAKE, MI, 49622

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,589,733

Exercised Options: $1,104,237

Current Obligation: $1,104,237

Actual Outlays: $97,649

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSBP1017D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline