DoD awards Oshkosh Corp $83M for Marine Corps vehicle armor upgrades, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,984,862 ($83.0M)

Contractor: Oshkosh Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-04-19

End Date: 2013-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,321 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MOTORIZED MARINE CORPS TRANSPARENT ARMOR GUN SHIELD (MCTAGS), MTVR DOOR UPGRADES FOR NON-REDUCIBLE HEIGHT ARMOR, AND MTVR TROOP CARRIER UPGRADE KITS

Place of Performance

Location: OSHKOSH, WINNEBAGO County, WISCONSIN, 54902

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $83.0 million to OSHKOSH CORP for work described as: MOTORIZED MARINE CORPS TRANSPARENT ARMOR GUN SHIELD (MCTAGS), MTVR DOOR UPGRADES FOR NON-REDUCIBLE HEIGHT ARMOR, AND MTVR TROOP CARRIER UPGRADE KITS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized armor for Marine Corps vehicles, indicating a niche but critical need. 2. Oshkosh Corp, a known defense contractor, is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The $83M award for vehicle upgrades presents a significant expenditure for military hardware. 4. The sector is defense manufacturing, characterized by high-value, specialized equipment procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $83M for vehicle armor upgrades appears substantial. Without specific unit cost data or benchmarks for similar armor systems, a precise value assessment is difficult. The fixed-price nature offers some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Oshkosh Corp. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $83M contract may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the specialized armor upgrades.

Public Impact

Enhances survivability for Marines in high-threat environments. Supports ongoing military operations and vehicle modernization efforts. Potential for extended deployment capabilities due to improved protection. Impacts readiness and effectiveness of Marine Corps ground units.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • Lack of transparency in pricing due to non-competitive nature.
  • Potential for cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

  • Addresses critical survivability needs for military personnel.
  • Utilizes a known defense contractor with relevant expertise.
  • Firm fixed-price contract provides some cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on vehicle armor. Spending in this area is driven by operational needs and technological advancements in protection. Benchmarks are difficult without specific system comparisons, but $83M is a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Oshkosh Corp, is a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract, which is common for large, specialized defense procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective delivery. DoD contracting officers must justify the lack of competition and monitor performance rigorously.

Related Government Programs

  • Turbine and Turbine Generator Set Units Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for inflated pricing
  • Limited transparency
  • Dependence on a single supplier

Tags

turbine-and-turbine-generator-set-units-, department-of-defense, wi, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $83.0 million to OSHKOSH CORP. MOTORIZED MARINE CORPS TRANSPARENT ARMOR GUN SHIELD (MCTAGS), MTVR DOOR UPGRADES FOR NON-REDUCIBLE HEIGHT ARMOR, AND MTVR TROOP CARRIER UPGRADE KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OSHKOSH CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $83.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-19. End: 2013-11-30.

What specific technological advancements or unique requirements justified a sole-source award for these armor upgrades?

Justification for a sole-source award typically hinges on unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. For these specific armor upgrades, the justification would likely detail specialized design, integration challenges with existing MTVR platforms, or specific performance characteristics only Oshkosh Corp could provide within the required timeframe.

How does the $83M cost compare to the expected lifespan and operational benefits of the upgraded armor systems?

Assessing the $83M cost against lifespan and benefits requires detailed lifecycle cost analysis and threat assessment. If the upgrades significantly extend vehicle operational life, reduce maintenance, and demonstrably improve survivability, the investment could be justified. However, without data on expected service life, failure rates, and quantified risk reduction, it's difficult to definitively state if the cost is reasonable relative to the value.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the armor upgrades, given the lack of competitive pressure?

Despite the sole-source nature, the DoD employs stringent quality assurance and acceptance testing protocols. This includes detailed technical specifications, pre-production reviews, material testing, and post-installation inspections. Performance metrics and contractor accountability clauses within the contract also serve to ensure effectiveness and quality, holding Oshkosh Corp responsible for meeting all contractual requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingEngine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment ManufacturingTurbine and Turbine Generator Set Units 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

Address: 2307OREGON STREET, OSHKOSH, WI, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,984,862

Exercised Options: $82,984,862

Current Obligation: $82,984,862

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: M6785404D5016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-04-19

Current End Date: 2013-11-30

Potential End Date: 2013-11-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2013-11-26

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