FBI STEAL Contract - A Comprehensive Guide for Agencies & Suppliers
The FBI recently awarded twelve small businesses places on its Strategic Tactical Equipment and Logistics (STEAL) contract vehicle — a procurement program worth up to $690 million in total capacity. For law enforcement agencies, manufacturers, and suppliers, this contract represents both opportunity and responsibility. Below, we break down what STEAL is, who the awardees are, how the order process works, and what it means for the body armor and tactical gear market.
What is STEAL?
The FBI’s Strategic Tactical Equipment and Logistics (STEAL) contract is a buying tool for mission gear. The FBI runs post-award competitions for each order.
Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
Set-aside: 100% small business
NAICS code: 423850 (Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers)
PSC: 3990 (Miscellaneous Materials Handling Equipment)
Contract Structure: Base year + option years, with a maximum award ceiling of $57.5M per company.
Unlike an open marketplace like GSA Advantage, STEAL limits competition to the 12 selected vendors. Every order is still competed, but only among this bench of awardees. This approach ensures speed and consistency while preserving competition at the tasks order level.
What the Bureau buys
The scope covers tactical and support items used by FBI teams. Think survival gear, protective eyewear, comms, diving and maritime, HAZMAT/air, thermal protection, rescue, medical, and related services needed to make the gear usable. Orders can be CONUS or OCONUS.
Survival & field gear (thermal protection, shelter, packs)
Protective equipment (eyewear, respirators, helmets, CBRN kits)
Communications systems (radios, headsets, signal gear)
Maritime & dive gear (scuba, underwater comms, flotation)
HAZMAT / air systems (filters, cylinders, detection equipment)
Rescue & medical supplies (stretchers, first aid, tourniquets)
Associated services (maintenance, repair, trianing)
This wide coverage means suppliers across multiple verticals – body armor, comms, maritime, CBRN, survival – have indirect opportunities if they can align with a prime.
Who won awards
On July 18, 2025, the FBI issued twelve awards under STEAL. Each award has a maximum value of $57.5M across the base and option years, with competition at the order level. Examples posted publicly include KUOG Corp (15F06725D0000761) and daily logs showing awards to Safeware, Northern Wings Repair, and LionHeart Alliance for the same amount.
Why that matters: the total capacity across the bench is $690M (12 × $57.5M). Orders still compete, so price, lead time, and technical fit decide who gets each task.
The following 12 companies were awarded contracts under the STEAL:
How orders work (in plain terms)
Unlike a single large delivery order, STEAL works through continuous competitions. Here’s how a typical order flows:
Check scope: The FBI’s acquisition team confirms the item is in scope.
Request quotes: An RFQ (Request for Quote) goes to all 12 awardees. Typical response time is a few business days; urgent needs can be met faster.
Quotes Submitted: Awardees provide pricing, lead time, and compliance data.
Evaluation and award: The FBI evaluates price and other factors at the order level and awards by line or as a package.
Price discipline: The program uses a Price Evaluation List (PEL) to set ceiling prices. Quotes can come in below the ceiling but not above.
Invoicing: Invoices go through the government’s standard electronic system.
(These steps summarize the posted RFP and Q&A attachments.)
What vendors must be ready to do
Respond fast. You will be asked to quote often, sometimes on short timelines.
Hit delivery targets. Routine deliveries aim for about 30 days. Urgent orders may need quicker turns.
Offer clean alternates. If you propose an “equal” item, send a complete technical packet so the government can make a fair comparison.
Show the paperwork. Quotes should include country of origin and BAA/TAA status. If an item is discontinued or EOL, flag it and propose a replacement.
(All of the above reflects the program’s evaluation and compliance focus in the STEAL documents.)
What this means for different audiences
For law enforcement teams
You get a faster way to buy gear that fits the mission.
You can track alternates, pricing history, and delivery expectations.
For manufacturers (armor, CBRN, dive, comms, etc.)
Line up with awardees early.
Keep current test reports, warranty terms, and origin data ready.
Make your “equal” package easy to evaluate.
For research labs and standards bodies
Clear test protocols and conditioning notes help end-users pick the right product.
Field feedback and failure analysis should loop back to you through the channel.
Common questions
Is STEAL open to everyone? No. Only awardees compete for orders; others can team with them.
Is there a program fee added to quotes? No—quotes reflect the contractor’s price.
Is an FFL required? No for this vehicle.
Where do I see awards? SAM.gov posts award notices; daily logs also track them. See examples for KUOG and others.
Want a cleaner workflow?
IntelAlytic pairs clear contract guidance with The Armor List (TAL): a free workspace for agencies.
The Armor List ties products → standards & test data → vendors. You can:
Pin the SKUs you actually plan to buy.
Attach NIJ reports, COAs, and origin flags.
Track price and lead time so the next RFQ writes itself.
Compare capabilities side-by-side with our Compare Companies feature
For suppliers, The Armor List helps identify which primes are active in your category. For agencies, it cuts through the noise so you can plan procurement with confidence.
Whether you’re a buyer evaluating vendors or a supplier identifying key primes →The Armor List helps you make informed, strategic decisions.
Sources for verification
→ STEAL solicitation record on SAM.gov (structure, scope, set-aside, NAICS).
→ SAMDaily notice (NAICS/PSC and solicitation details).
→ Award example: KUOG Corp (award number, date, value).
→ Daily award log (multiple awardees at $57.5M).
Get the intel you won’t find anywhere else.
Want a preview before you sign up? Check out an example issue of our weekly Briefing and see what to expect.
