Doing it by the Book Successfully (DIBBS)

by Kimberly Randle - March 31, 2025

In the language of government contracting, DIBBS is the acronym for the Defense Logistic Agency’s (DLA) Internet Bid Board System, a web-based application that provides the capability to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests For Quotations (RFQs) for DLA’s items of supply.

DLA is the largest department within the federal government’s largest agency, the Department of Defense (DoD), procuring the vast majority of the military’s equipment and supplies. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, this totaled in excess of $52 billion in obligations.

Add Lou Spagna, Pacific Continental Clothing’s chief marketing officer, and you get a contract with the U.S. Army for hooded sweatshirts valued at $10 million.

But first, some backstory.

Spagna relocated to northwest Arkansas to take the role of chairman & CEO of the I.O. Metro retail brand, a specialty lifestyle home furnishing retailer selling modern, one-of-a-kind and eclectic furniture, art and accessories.

He reached out to APEX Accelerator Procurement Counselor Kim Randle when she first joined the team in February 2022. At the time, Spagna was affiliated with Pacific Continental Textiles (PCT). 

One of the largest vertically integrated apparel and textile manufacturers in southern California, PCT was founded in 1980 by Edmund Kim. Spagna first met Kim when he was working as president for Bugle Boy Retail. The two maintained a friendship for more 30 years before Kim’s passing in 2022.

Randle takes every advantage to impress upon her clients the importance of what she refers to as government contracting “magic,” that essential relationship cultivation and networking, as one never knows where a contact may lead. Possibly a customer, subcontractor, industry ally, or business partner. Spagna and Kim’s long-term allegiance is a perfect example.

PCT became a valued part of Bugle Boy’s supply chain, and later Kim brought Spagna into PCT to oversee all the company’s government contracts, winning several contracts prior to the company closure following Kim’s death.

In 2023, after the closing of PCT, Kim's son Henry approached Spagna to help him get Pacific Continental Clothing (PCC) structured as a federal government contractor. Henry Kim had formed the company with Matt Nasab.

Spagna helped to position the company with DIBBS, which he had utilized extensively while with PCT. With the substantial $10 million, five-year contract award by the Army in Knoxville, Tennessee for fleece, hooded sweatshirts, PCC is in the process of moving to expanded facilities in Carson, California and is experiencing continued business growth, both commercially and as a government contractor.

Spagna, who is based in Rogers, was quick to let Randle know of the contract award, acknowledging the assistance that Arkansas APEX Accelerator has provided in supporting him with help in navigating the user requirements in DIBBS for both PCT and PCC, as well as maintaining other requirements related to registrations and cybersecurity compliance. To see how the Arkansas APEX Accelerator can help your business with “Doing It By the Book” SUCCESSFULLY, and assist you in improving your ability to secure government contracts, or for more information on our services that are offered free of charge, please reach out to us at APEX@uada.edu.