DoD awards Colt's Manufacturing $12.9M for M4A1 carbines and accessories to Israel

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,934,700 ($12.9M)

Contractor: Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-12-15

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 197 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: CONTRACT FOR MODIFIED COMMERCIAL M4A1 CARBINES, FLASH HIDERS, AND SUPPRESSORS FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL.

Place of Performance

Location: WEST HARTFORD, HARTFORD County, CONNECTICUT, 06110

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.9 million to COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC for work described as: CONTRACT FOR MODIFIED COMMERCIAL M4A1 CARBINES, FLASH HIDERS, AND SUPPRESSORS FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on providing essential small arms and accessories for foreign military sales. 2. Limited competition raises questions about optimal pricing and taxpayer value. 3. Fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but initial pricing needs benchmarking. 4. Contract duration of 197 days suggests a focused, short-term delivery requirement. 5. This award aligns with ongoing U.S. foreign military assistance and defense cooperation. 6. The specific nature of the items (M4A1 carbines, suppressors) indicates a specialized defense need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $12.9 million for M4A1 carbines and accessories appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized military equipment, especially considering it's for foreign military sales. However, without specific details on the quantity and exact specifications of the carbines and accessories, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to lock in costs, but the absence of competitive bidding means there's less assurance of achieving the best possible price for the government or the recipient nation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC, was solicited. This approach is typically used when a specific capability or product is only available from a single source, or in cases of urgent need where competition is not feasible. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative suppliers or negotiate prices based on multiple bids, potentially leading to higher costs than if a competitive process had been employed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the price reductions and efficiencies that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. This can result in a higher overall cost for the equipment provided through foreign military sales.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Israeli Defense Forces, receiving critical small arms and related equipment. The contract delivers modified M4A1 carbines, flash hiders, and suppressors, enhancing the capabilities of the recipient's forces. Geographic impact is concentrated on Israel, supporting its defense requirements. Workforce implications are primarily within Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC, in Connecticut, ensuring production and delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may reduce incentives for the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing.
Specific details on the quantity and exact configurations of the M4A1 carbines are not publicly available for detailed value assessment.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.
Award to a known manufacturer like Colt's suggests a reliance on established quality and production capabilities.
Contract supports a key U.S. ally through the Foreign Military Sales program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on small arms and ordnance. The market for such specialized military equipment is often characterized by a limited number of qualified manufacturers capable of meeting stringent military specifications. While the overall defense spending is substantial, contracts for specific weapon systems like the M4A1 carbine are typically awarded through direct procurement or foreign military sales, often involving established defense contractors with proven track records.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award to Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC, a large business, there are no direct subcontracting opportunities mandated for small businesses within this specific award. The primary focus is on the direct delivery of goods from the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and procurement regulations, managed by the Department of the Army. As a foreign military sale, there are additional layers of oversight involving both U.S. government agencies and the recipient nation's requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the specific context of international arms sales, but accountability rests with Colt's Manufacturing Company to deliver the specified goods according to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Military Sales Program
Small Arms and Light Weapons Procurement
Department of Defense Armaments Procurement
M4 Carbine Family of Weapons

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of detailed quantity information
Limited public pricing benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.9 million to COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC. CONTRACT FOR MODIFIED COMMERCIAL M4A1 CARBINES, FLASH HIDERS, AND SUPPRESSORS FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-15. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific quantity of M4A1 carbines and accessories being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity of M4A1 carbines, flash hiders, and suppressors included in this $12.9 million contract. This information is crucial for a detailed unit cost analysis and for benchmarking against historical sales or similar procurements. Without the quantity, it is difficult to determine if the per-unit cost is competitive or reflects the specialized nature of the equipment and the sole-source award.

How does the pricing of these M4A1 carbines and accessories compare to previous sales or other similar foreign military sales contracts?

A direct price comparison is challenging without knowing the exact quantities and configurations of the items. However, given that this is a sole-source award to Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC, there is a risk that the pricing may not be as competitive as it would be under a fully competed contract. Historical data on M4A1 sales to allies, particularly those involving competitive bidding, would be necessary to establish a robust benchmark. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee value for money in the absence of competition.

What are the specific modifications or configurations of the M4A1 carbines being supplied?

The contract mentions 'modified' M4A1 carbines, but the specific details of these modifications are not provided in the summary data. These modifications could range from minor adjustments to significant changes tailored to the operational requirements of the Israeli military. Understanding these modifications is important for assessing the uniqueness of the offering, the justification for a sole-source award, and the overall value proposition of the contract. Without this detail, it's hard to evaluate if the price reflects specialized customization.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where only one source can fulfill the need. For firearms like the M4A1, Colt's Manufacturing Company holds specific manufacturing rights and historical expertise. The Department of Defense would have determined that competition was not feasible or not in the best interest of the government for this particular procurement, possibly due to specific technical requirements or existing integration with the recipient's systems that only Colt could meet.

What is the expected delivery timeline and performance period for this contract?

The contract has a performance period from December 15, 2025, to June 30, 2026, giving it a duration of approximately 197 days. This relatively short timeframe suggests a focused production and delivery schedule, likely intended to meet an immediate or near-term operational need for the Israeli military. The firm fixed-price structure combined with this defined period aims to ensure timely delivery of the specified equipment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: WEAPONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: European Holding Company, SE

Address: 545 NEW PARK AVE, WEST HARTFORD, CT, 06110

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,934,700

Exercised Options: $12,934,700

Current Obligation: $12,934,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline