R.w. Fernstrum & Company

R.w. Fernstrum & Company, a small-business manufacturer of marine heat exchangers and thermal management equipment headquartered in Menominee, Michigan, operates as a prime contractor supplying specialized maritime components and repair services to the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security through firm fixed-price purchase orders on full-and-open competition — the vendor holds no SBA certifications and competes without set-aside designation on the vast majority of its work.

The vendor's capability footprint centers on GRIDCOOLER keel coolers, industrial fluid coolers, corrosion prevention anodes, gasket sets, and seal assemblies, with work grounded in Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (NAICS 333611, 55 of 117 awards) and Heat Exchangers and Steam Condensers (PSC 4410, 40 awards). Representative prime work includes a $57,600 total small business set-aside purchase order from Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support for nine industrial fluid coolers (October 2023), a $48,241.61 firm fixed-price delivery of four GRIDCOOLER keel coolers to the Army Corps of Engineers for the dredge vessel MVP Brandy Station (September 2023), and a $46,500 total small business set-aside purchase order from the U.S. Coast Guard for four GRIDCOOLER keel coolers (December 2022). More recent activity includes a $6,375 corrosion prevention anode purchase order from DLA Land and Maritime (July 2025), a $348 protective plug delivery to DLA Land and Maritime (January 2026), and a $348 keel cooler gasket supply to Fleet Forces Command Atlantic Fleet (January 2026).

Customer concentration is pronounced. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime commands 40 awards totaling $2.8 million in combined potential value, representing 47% of the vendor's total documented award base and the single largest customer by both volume and dollars. DLA Troop Support Construction and Equipment accounts for 22 awards ($446 thousand), the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Coast Guard for 21 awards ($429 thousand), and the Army Corps of Engineers for 14 awards ($338 thousand combined). These four customer segments represent 83% of all awards and 68% of combined potential value, with DLA divisions supplying roughly 53% of the vendor's documented dollar exposure. The two rankings track closely — DLA Land and Maritime dominates both measures — indicating consistent order sizing across the customer base.

Activity has been uneven. The vendor recorded 14 awards in 2023, declining to 6 in 2024 and 4 in 2025, with only 1 award recorded in 2026 to date. Combined potential value stands at $5.9 million with $4.4 million obligated (75% execution rate). The vendor faces minimal recompete exposure — only one award with ultimate completion inside the next twenty-four months carries $348 in potential value. The vendor operates exclusively as a prime contractor (100% of awards) with no documented subcontract footprint, and all awards are individual purchase orders with no parent IDIQ, GWAC, or BPA vehicle identified in the source data. Founded in 1949, the vendor maintains long-standing relationships with maritime supply customers spanning over two decades of federal contracting history in the source record.

R.W. Fernstrum & Company has been engineering and manufacturing GRIDCOOLER Keel Coolers for the marine industry since 1949. Fernstrum has since partnered with WEKA Boxcoolers B.V. and Tranter to expand our product offerings. Our products are used for cooling marine propulsion engines, generator sets, reduction gears, and auxiliary systems onboard vessels of all sizes worldwide. Each solution is engineered to meet the requirements of your engine, vessel, and operating conditions.