Are you a federal employee or Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder? Here is what you need to know about purchasing official recognition items, challenge coins, or custom unit gear from our store.
1. Compliance Baseline
This website is operated by a private vendor under the authority of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Public Affairs. While our products are tailored for federal agencies, the responsibility for ensuring a purchase complies with your specific agency’s internal policies rests solely with you, the buyer.
All purchases should align with standard federal guidelines, including FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), OMB Circular A-123, and executive branch ethical standards (5 CFR Part 2635).
2. Fast Facts for GPC Holders
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The Micro-Purchase Limit: Per FAR 2.101, the standard federal micro-purchase threshold is $15,000. Purchases at or below that threshold may qualify for simplified procedures, subject to applicable exceptions and your component’s internal cardholder limits and approval requirements. Always check your specific agency’s internal cardholder limits, as many agencies cap individual transactions at lower amounts. Purchases may not be divided to avoid applicable thresholds, competition requirements, or approval procedures.
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“Awards” vs. “Gifts”: Purchases of recognition items, plaques, coins, apparel, or other merchandise using appropriated funds may be permissible only when they support an authorized agency purpose or approved recognition, incentive, outreach, or uniform program. Personal gifts and personal-use items should be purchased with personal funds. Consult your component’s approving, finance, or ethics office when eligibility is unclear.
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Buy American Act (BAA) & Country-of-Origin Requirements: Some purchases may be subject to domestic-preference, country-of-origin, or component-specific sourcing requirements. If your order requires country-of-origin documentation, a domestic-product determination, or sourcing review—particularly for a larger or custom order—please contact our team before placing the order.
3. Vendor Credentials
| Vendor detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal business name | C. Forbes, Inc. |
| DBA / storefront | DHS Gift Shop / HSFGiftShop.com |
| Business address | 12830 West Creek Parkway, Suite G, Richmond, VA 23238 |
| Order support | 804-708-5168 |
| Order email | forbesorder@cforbesinc.com |
| UEI | FL98LCXLYTV3 |
| CAGE code | 1HLT0 |
| — | Additional vendor documentation: W-9, NAICS codes, and other vendor-setup materials are available upon request. |
4. Ready to Order?
Need to secure internal approval or a formal quote before you pay? We support the federal procurement / micro-purchase workflow:
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Build Your Cart: Add your items to your cart and checkout.
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Select “Invoice / Pay Later” at Checkout: This will generate a formal order confirmation and invoice without charging a card immediately. Requesting an invoice does not constitute agency approval or authorize production until any required approvals and payment arrangements are confirmed.
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Submit for Approval: Use our system-generated invoice to route through your agency’s internal purchase request and funding approval process.
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Finalize Payment: Once approved, you can complete the payment using your GPC or agency-approved payment method.
Need assistance with an official unit order? Contact our customer service team for bulk pricing, design proofs, or custom invoicing needs.
