DoD awards Oshkosh Defense $803M for HEMTTS, PLS Trailers, and parts, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $803,244,485 ($803.2M)

Contractor: Oshkosh Defense LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-25

End Date: 2013-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,344 days

Daily Burn Rate: $597.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER 0018 IS TO PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING: 1094 HEMTTS NEW, 1025 HEMTTS RESET, 181 CBT'S NEW, 84 M1076 PLS TRAILORS, 1025 MISSING PARTS FOR RESET, 33 DRAW BAR EXTENSION, 60 DRAW BAR KIT, AND 60 INSTALLATION.

Place of Performance

Location: OSHKOSH, WINNEBAGO County, WISCONSIN, 54902

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $803.2 million to OSHKOSH DEFENSE LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER 0018 IS TO PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING: 1094 HEMTTS NEW, 1025 HEMTTS RESET, 181 CBT'S NEW, 84 M1076 PLS TRAILORS, 1025 MISSING PARTS FOR RESET, 33 DRAW BAR EXTENSION, 60 DRAW BAR KIT, AND 60 INSTALLATION. Key points: 1. Significant investment in heavy tactical vehicle platforms (HEMTTS, PLS Trailers) and associated parts/services. 2. Sole reliance on Oshkosh Defense LLC for these critical components raises concerns about long-term pricing and innovation. 3. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) suggests a substantial operational need for these vehicles. 4. Lack of competition indicates potential for higher costs and limited market responsiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of over $803 million for a variety of vehicle components and services appears substantial. Without competitive benchmarks or detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the lack of competition suggests potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Oshkosh Defense LLC. This limits price discovery and negotiation leverage for the government, potentially leading to higher costs than a competitive process would yield.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these essential military vehicle components and services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness for Army units relying on HEMTTS and PLS trailer systems. Supports the sustainment and modernization of a significant portion of the Army's tactical wheeled vehicle fleet. Potential for extended reliance on a single manufacturer, impacting future procurement strategies. Job creation and economic activity within Oshkosh Defense LLC's supply chain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • High contract value warrants close scrutiny.
  • Potential for vendor lock-in.
  • Lack of transparency in pricing due to no competition.

Positive Signals

  • Addresses critical equipment needs for the Department of the Army.
  • Ensures operational capability through parts and reset services.
  • Long-term contract provides stability for sustainment.

Sector Analysis

The defense sector, particularly vehicle manufacturing, often involves complex systems and long production cycles. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale vehicle procurements and sustainment contracts can vary widely based on technology, quantity, and specific requirements. This award falls within the significant spending typical for major defense equipment.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award went directly to Oshkosh Defense LLC, a large prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight to ensure fair pricing and contract compliance. The Department of the Army should actively monitor performance, costs, and delivery schedules to mitigate risks associated with non-competitive procurement.

Related Government Programs

  • Truck Trailer Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of price competition
  • Potential for inflated costs
  • Limited transparency
  • Risk of vendor lock-in

Tags

truck-trailer-manufacturing, department-of-defense, wi, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $803.2 million to OSHKOSH DEFENSE LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS DELIVERY ORDER 0018 IS TO PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING: 1094 HEMTTS NEW, 1025 HEMTTS RESET, 181 CBT'S NEW, 84 M1076 PLS TRAILORS, 1025 MISSING PARTS FOR RESET, 33 DRAW BAR EXTENSION, 60 DRAW BAR KIT, AND 60 INSTALLATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OSHKOSH DEFENSE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $803.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-25. End: 2013-05-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further documentation, it's unclear why this contract was not competed. The Army should have explored options like full-and-open competition or other competitive procedures to ensure the best value for taxpayers, unless specific exceptions applied.

How does the per-unit cost of these HEMTTS and PLS trailer components compare to industry benchmarks or previous procurements?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without access to detailed pricing data and historical procurement information. Given the sole-source nature, there's a heightened risk that costs may exceed competitive levels. A thorough cost analysis by the agency is crucial to validate the reasonableness of the pricing against available market data or similar government contracts.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring these vehicle components, and will future requirements be subject to competition?

The long-term strategy is unclear from this data. It is imperative that the Department of the Army plans for future procurements to be competitive whenever feasible. Relying on sole-source contracts repeatedly can stifle innovation and lead to sustained higher costs. A clear roadmap for competitive sourcing should be established.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingMotor Vehicle Body and Trailer ManufacturingTruck Trailer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Oshkosh Corp (UEI: 006070445)

Address: 2307 OREGON ST, OSHKOSH, WI, 54903

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: $803,244,485

Exercised Options: $803,244,485

Current Obligation: $803,244,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W56HZV09D0024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-09-25

Current End Date: 2013-05-31

Potential End Date: 2013-05-31 12:05:00

Last Modified: 2016-11-08

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