Orion Ropeworks, LLC

Orion Ropeworks, LLC, a Maine-based manufacturer of industrial and consumer synthetic rope, supplies fibrous rope products to the federal government as a prime contractor through firm fixed-price purchase orders issued by the Defense Logistics Agency. The company qualifies as a small business and competes under both Total Small Business set-asides (approximately 60% of recent awards) and full-and-open competition (approximately 40%), with no identified subcontract activity in the portfolio. Orion Ropeworks has maintained federal registration in SAM since April 2002 and brings over 165 years of rope manufacturing expertise, with facilities in Benton and Winslow, Maine.

The vendor's federal footprint is heavily concentrated in fibrous rope procurement for Department of Defense supply chain support. Representative prime work includes a $106.641 million firm fixed-price purchase order from DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment for fibrous rope (NSN 4020005423308) in April 2024 under a Total Small Business set-aside; an $89.775 million order for fibrous rope (NSN 4020007528878) to DLA Distribution San Joaquin in February 2024 with no set-aside; and a $83.587 million order for fibrous rope (NSN 4020007528879) under small business set-aside in January 2024. The company specializes in nylon, polyester, and polypropylene rope variants identified by specific National Stock Numbers and delivered to DLA Distribution facilities nationwide, with typical performance periods ranging from 37 to 165 days.

Customer concentration is extreme. DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment accounts for 504 awards (83% of all awards) with $9.2 million in combined potential value, dominating both volume and dollar rankings. The next-largest customer, DLA Troop Support Hardware, represents only 18 awards at $688 thousand. Together, the top five customers account for 94% of awards and 96% of combined potential value, with DLA entities representing the overwhelming majority of both. GSA Federal Acquisition Service places 20 awards worth $262 thousand; the Department of the Navy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Army collectively represent fewer than ten awards combined.

Vehicle position is limited. Orion Ropeworks operates under a GSA Schedule BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement GS07FQORRW) with 19 task orders worth $112 thousand combined potential value and a second GSA BPA (GS07FQORON) with 10 task orders; all other parent vehicles carry single or minimal task order placements. The company's awards are predominantly standalone purchase orders from DLA rather than task orders against large government-wide vehicles, which constrains its positioning for teaming or pursuit of wider federal demand.

Activity has grown recently but volatilely. The five-year trajectory shows 28 awards in 2022, declining to 18 in 2023 and 17 in 2024, then surging to 40 awards in 2025 before dropping to 5 awards year-to-date in 2026 (as of early April). The combined potential value across all 606 awards in the portfolio is $10.6 million, with $11.8 million actually obligated — a 111% realization ratio indicating the vendor's actual invoiced revenue has exceeded the potential-value ceiling of recorded awards. The portfolio carries a single identified subcontract: a November 2025 sub-award from Oceanetics Inc. for barrier sustainment maintenance (nylon coated rope) valued below visible thresholds.

Orion Ropeworks' capability portfolio is granular and specialized. The vendor manufactures rope products classified primarily under NAICS 314994 (Rope, Cordage, and Twine Mills) and 314991 (Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills), with all 601 recorded awards falling under PSC Fiber Rope, Cordage, and Twine. The vast majority of orders specify individual National Stock Numbers and delivery quantities to discrete DLA Distribution facilities, reflecting a transactional, supply-replenishment posture rather than systems integration or program management. Contract values historically range from $1,000 to over $100,000 per purchase order, with the company demonstrating consistent performance across multiple delivery locations and rope specifications over more than two decades of federal contracting.

3-Strand Rope: 5/8 In Circ to 12 In Circ; Double Braid Rope: 3/4 In Circ to 1-3/4 In Circ and 2-1/4 In Circ to 6 In Circ.; 8-Strand Plaited Rope: 3In Circ through 9In Circ. Materials we mfg: Nylon, Polypropylene, Polyester, & Staplewrap Polyester