Some have wondered, as they observe fabric tents being used as hurricane-relief shelters on the US Gulf Coast during hurricane season, and in war zones like Iraq where incoming fire is a fact of life, whether there might be a better way that would offer more security, durability, and even military flexibility. Meanwhile, firms like 3S Group are building expandable shelters using securable, hard-walled ISO containers, while SeaBox, Inc. offers dedicated living quarters designs and ShelterPAK kits to quickly transform unused shipping containers.

Nevertheless, the tent continues to be the US military’s preferred form of shelter for troops in war zones, and FEMA/DHS’ preferred option for disaster relief. Even upgrades like airbeam technology appears to be having difficulty finding a quick foothold, despite SSC Natick’s best efforts. Recent additions include a recent set of 10 awards, which begin a new set of contracts with the same roster of suppliers…

Contracts & Key Events

Unless otherwise noted, these contracts are awarded by The Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in Philadelphia, PA.

June 11/08: The US military has begun a new contract, with no change in approach, policy, or contracting roster. 10 firms receive maximum $96 million firm fixed price contracts for a variety of shelters, components, and trailers on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. All original proposals were Gateway solicited with 13 responses, and the date of performance completion is June 11/09 for all parties.

All of the following are base year contracts, with up to 3 additional option years:

* Alaska Structures Inc. in Anchorage, AK for “a variety of manufactured shelters, trailers and components” (SPM1C1-07-D-6064).

• Small business qualifier Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN for a variety of manufactured shelters, trailers and components (SPM1C1-07-D-6005).
• Base-X Expeditions Shelters in Fairfield, VA for a variety of manufactured shelters, trailers and components (SPM1C1-07-D-6063).
• DHS Systems LLC in Orangeburg, NY for a variety of manufactured shelters, trailers and components (SPM1C1-07-D-6060).
• Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY for a variety of manufactured shelters, trailers and components (SPM1C1-07-D-6059).
• Small business qualifier Schutt Industries in Clintonville, WI for a variety of manufactured shelters and trailers (SPM1C1-07-D-6002).

Most small business qualifiers received more limited orders:

• Small business qualifier Alaska Tent and Tarp in Fairbanks, AK for a variety of manufactured shelters (SPM1C1-07-D-1534).
• Small business qualifier Camel Manufacturing Co. in Pioneer, TN for a variety of manufactured shelters (SPM1C1-07-D-1533).
• Small business qualifier Celina Tent Inc. in Celina, OH for manufactured humanitarian shelters (SPM1C1-07-D-6001).
• Small business qualifier MMI – Federal Marketing Service Corp. in Montgomery, AL for a variety of shelters (SPM1C1-07-D-6007).

Nov 30/07: 10 firms receive maximum $96 million firm fixed price contracts for a variety of shelters, components, and trailers on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. All original proposals were web solicited with 13 responses, and the date of performance completion is Nov 29/08 for all parties.

The following firms are having option year 3 of 4 one-year term options exercised:

• Alaska Structures, Inc. in Anchorage, AK Other location of performance is New Mexico. (SPM100-05-D-6064).
• Small business qualifier Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN (SPM1C1-06-D-6005). Anchor specializes in proprietary high-tension tent structures.
• Base-X Expedition Shelters, Fairfield, VA (SPM100-05-D-6063).
• Small business qualifier Celina Tent, Inc. in Celina, OH (SPM1C1-06-D-6001).
• DHS Systems, LLC in Orangeburg, NY (SPM100-05-D-6060).
• Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY (SPM100-05-D-6059). Makes the MGPTS, among others.
• Small business qualifier MMI – Federal Marketing Service Corp. in Montgomery, AL for “a variety of shelters” (SPM1C1-06-D-6007).
• Small business qualifier Schutt Industries in Clintonville, WI (SPM1C1-06-D-6002).

The following firms are having option year 1 exercised of their firm fixed price, indefinite delivery contracts for “a variety of shelters”:

• Small business qualifier Alaska Tent and Tarp in Fairbanks, AK (SPM1C1-07-D-1534).
• Small business qualifier Camel Manufacturing Co. in Pioneer, TN (SPM1C1-07-D-1533).

Aug 31/07: AAR Mobility Systems in Cadillac, MI received a sole source, $162 million fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for specialized shipping/storage containers, shelters and accessories, to be used by the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Federal Civilian Agencies. AAR does offer some hard-walled, container-based solutions within its mobile tactical shelter lineup if the USA military wishes to begin examining the possibilities – but specialty ISU Containers are more likely to be the targets of this contract, which means these procurements will have a very different focus. See DID’s coverage.

July 10/07: A series of maximum $96 million firm fixed price contracts are handed out for “shelters, components, and trailers” on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. They are exercising option year 2 of 4 one-year term options, and the date of performance completion is July 2008. The original proposal was Gateway-solicited, and 10 responded. The winners of these $96 million contracts included:

• Alaska Structures, Inc. in Anchorage, AK; work will also be performed in Mesilla Park, NM (SPM100-05-D-6064).
• Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN (SPM1C1-06-D-6005). Anchor specializes in proprietary high-tension tent structures.
• Base-X Expedition Shelters in Fairfield, VA (SPM100-05-D-6063).
• Celina Tent, Inc. in Celina, OH (SPM1C1-06-D-6001).
• MMI – Federal Marketing Service Corp in Montgomery, AL (SPM1C1-06-D-6007). Work will also be performed in Sharon Center, OH. This contract does not have a predecessor listing in 2005 or 2006.
• Small business qualifier DHS Systems, LLC in Orangeburg, NY (SPM100-05-D-6060).
• Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY (SPM100-05-D-6059). Makes the MGPTS, among others.
• Schutt Industries in Clintonville, WI (SPM1C1-06-D-6002).

June 19/07: Camel Manufacturing Company in Pioneer, TN won a maximum $96 million firm fixed price, indefinite delivery contract for shelters on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and other federal civilian agencies. This proposal was Gateway solicited with 12 responses, and is a “multiple four year contract.” Date of performance completion is August 15, 2008 (contract number TBD).

June 19/07: Small business qualifier Alaska Tent and Tarp in Fairbanks, AK won a maximum $96 million firm fixed price, indefinite delivery contract for shelters on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and other federal civilian agencies. This proposal was Gateway solicited with 12 responses, and is a “multiple four year contract.” Date of performance completion is August 15, 2008 (contract number TBD).

Sept 1/06: A series of maximum $96 million firm fixed price contracts are handed out for “shelters, components, and trailers” on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. They are exercising option year 1 of four 1-year term options, and the date of performance completion is September 2, 2007. Proposals were Gateway-solicited and 10 responded. The winners of these $96 million contracts included:

• Alaska Structures, Inc. in Anchorage, AK; work will also be performed in Mesilla Park, NM (SPM100-05-D-6064).
• Anchor Industries in Evansville, IN (SPM1C1-06-D-6005). Anchor specializes in proprietary high-tension tent structures. This contract does not have a predecessor listing.
• Base-X Expedition Shelters in Fairfield, VA (SPM100-05-D-6063).
• Celina Tent, Inc. in Celina, OH (SPM1C1-06-D-6001).
• Small business qualifier DHS Systems, LLC in Orangeburg, NY (SPM100-05-D-6060).
• Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY (SPM100-05-D-6059). Makes the MGPTS, among others.
• Schutt Industries in Clintonville, WI (SPM1C1-06-D-6002).

Nov 3/05: Small business qualifier Celina Tent Inc. in Celina, OH received a maximum $120 million firm-fixed-price contract for shelters on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. This is an indefinite-delivery type contract with a base year and 4 one-year term options. Proposals were Gateway-solicited and 10 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Performance completion date is Nov. 1, 2006 (SPM1C1-06-D-6001).

Nov 3/05: Small business qualifier Schutt Industries Inc. in Clintonville, WI received a maximum $120 million firm-fixed-price contract for shelters on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. This is an indefinite-delivery type contract with a base year and 4 one-year term options. Proposals were Gateway-solicited and 10 responded. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Performance completion date is Nov. 1, 2006 (SPM1C1-06-D-6002).

Sept 6/05: A series of maximum $120 million firm-fixed-price contracts are handed out for “a variety of shelters, trailers, and components” on behalf of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. The date of performance completion is September 5, 2006, though it adds that contract funds “will not expire in the current fiscal year.” Proposals were Gateway-solicited and 10 responded. Winners included:

• Small business qualifier Alaska Structures Inc. in Anchorage, AK (SPM100-05-D-6064).
• Base-X Expedition Shelters in Fairfield, VA (SPM100-05-D-6063).
• Small business qualifier DHS Systems LLC in Orangeburg, NY (SPM100-05-D-6060).
• Johnson Outdoors in Binghamton, NY (SPM100-05-D-6059).