Despite criticism of the program (mainly from those who don’t have a piece of the pie) Defense Logistics Agency’s Tailored Logistics Support (TLS) program isn’t going away. In fact, it’s flourishing. All four incumbents have been issued a one year extension.
Originally envisioned as the Prime Vendor for Special Operations Equipment program over 10 years ago, the concept began as a means to provide better support to the diving community. DLA found itself stocking dive gear for a small community. The idea was formed to outsource the stocking of this gear to commercial dive supply houses who specialized in the gear and could actually support a wider variety of items. This saved DoD money by not having to stockpile equipment and provided the diving community with more options. Since many of the divers hail from SOF units, it was only a matter of time before the contract was leveraged to provide other specialized, low density gear.
Since that time, the program has morphed into TLS to more accurately reflect the other prime vendor programs which include food and medical commodities. This change has also introduced increased competition amongst the participants and improved administration and oversight of the program. Over the past 10 years I have observed ups and downs with this program and, while I don’t think it’s right for every purchase, it has certainly served DoD well.
From yesterday’s DoD Contract Announcements…
Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc.*, Harrisonburg, Va., was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM8EJ-09-D-0001/P00016. The award is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $5,680,898,304 for delivery of items supported by the Special Operational equipment, tailored Logistics Support Program. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were 14 responses to the Web solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds. The date of performance completion is March 9, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
W.S. Darley & Co.*, Itasca, Ill., was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM8EJ-09-D-0002/P00015. The award is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $5,622,398,304 for delivery of items supported by the Special Operational equipment, tailored Logistics Support Program. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were 14 responses to the Web solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds. The date of performance completion is March 9, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
Source One Distributors, Inc.*, Wellington, Fla., was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM8EJ-09-D-0004/P00017. The award is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $5,470,398,304 for delivery of items supported by the Special Operational equipment, tailored Logistics Support Program. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were 14 responses to the Web solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds. The date of performance completion is March 9, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
Atlantic Diving Supply*, Virginia Beach, Va., was issued a modification exercising the second option year on contract SPM8EJ-09-D-0003/P00017. The award is a firm-fixed-price contract with a maximum $4,316,398,304 for delivery of items supported by the Special Operational equipment, tailored Logistics Support Program. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. There were 14 responses to the Web solicitation. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2011 Defense Working Capital Funds. The date of performance completion is March 9, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.
Tags: ADS Inc, DLA, Source One Distributors Inc, Tactical & Survival Specialities Inc, W.S. Darley & Co
TLS quite honestly needs to be revamped. The fact that it is supported by these companies that have a designation as a small business. This for all intents and purposes does not really accurately reflect SMALL BUSINESS overall. These are huge companies and it really is not competitive at all. The government talks about supporting small businesses but does not. The pie for something like TLS needs to be broken up into smaller pieces to allow growth of many other American companies and not just a few who have “Consultants” in Washington.
Mike,
i understand where your coming from however i challenge you to go to the headquarters in ITASCA where Darley is at and take tour of the facility on the defense side and then tell me it’s not a small business.
i work for the company and can tell you first hand that it’s as small as it gets in the small business community.
Funny I know Source One Distributors does not stock a thing for that program. They’re drop ship junkies