DoD awards $12.67M for Blackhawk aircraft field services, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,671,662 ($12.7M)

Contractor: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-28

End Date: 2022-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,979 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACTOR FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF BLACKHAWK AIRCRAFT - 8 CONUS AND 2 OCONUS

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND PRAIRIE, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 75052

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.7 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACTOR FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF BLACKHAWK AIRCRAFT - 8 CONUS AND 2 OCONUS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized aircraft support. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Long duration suggests ongoing need for these services. 4. Focus on Blackhawk aircraft indicates a specific defense sector need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $12.67M over approximately 5.5 years is difficult to assess without specific unit costs or comparable contracts. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition hinders a robust pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could lead to inflated prices, impacting taxpayer value for essential aircraft support services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of critical Blackhawk helicopters. Supports military personnel by providing essential maintenance and repair. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Long contract duration
Sole-source award

Positive Signals

Supports critical defense asset
Firm fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically supporting rotary-wing aircraft. Spending benchmarks for field service representatives can vary widely based on aircraft type, complexity, and geographic location.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract. Oversight would focus on the justification for the sole-source award and the contractor's performance in meeting service requirements.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns
Limited small business participation
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.7 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF CONTRACTOR FIELD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES IN SUPPORT OF BLACKHAWK AIRCRAFT - 8 CONUS AND 2 OCONUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-28. End: 2022-02-28.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A sole-source award typically requires a strong justification, such as a unique capability, urgent need, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further documentation, it's unclear if other competitive strategies were explored or why they were deemed unsuitable for this requirement.

How does the per-unit cost of these field services compare to industry benchmarks for similar Blackhawk aircraft support?

The data does not provide per-unit cost information, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks impossible. The total award amount of $12.67M is for a significant duration and scope. A detailed cost analysis, including labor rates and service hours, would be necessary to establish a meaningful benchmark.

What is the potential impact of the long contract duration (2016-2022) on the government's ability to adapt to evolving Blackhawk aircraft technology or support needs?

A contract spanning over five years could potentially limit the government's flexibility. If new technologies or more efficient support methods emerge, the existing contract might hinder the adoption of these advancements. However, long durations can also provide stability and predictability for critical support functions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 6900 MAIN ST, STRATFORD, CT, 06614

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,671,662

Exercised Options: $12,671,662

Current Obligation: $12,671,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ16D0055

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline