DoD awards $57.6M for LONGBOW LLC services, raising competition concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $57,638,532 ($57.6M)

Contractor: Longbow LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2000-06-07

End Date: 2012-08-31

Contract Duration: 4,468 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32819

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $57.6 million to LONGBOW LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $57.6 million awarded. 2. Limited competition noted, with contract type 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source or limited competition. 4. Sector context suggests potential for IT or Defense spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $57.6 million is substantial. Without more data on the specific services and market rates, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing. However, the lack of competition raises questions about whether the government received the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited or sole-source award. This significantly restricts price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been openly competed.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to limited competition. The long duration (2000-2012) suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services. Lack of transparency in the procurement process could hide inefficiencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of price benchmark
Long contract duration

Positive Signals

Contract awarded
Services delivered

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, likely related to IT or specialized support services. Defense contracts can vary widely in cost, but competitive bidding is crucial for managing expenses effectively.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition and lack of detailed pricing information suggest potential areas for enhanced oversight. Ensuring accountability and value for money in non-competitive awards requires rigorous review.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $57.6 million to LONGBOW LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LONGBOW 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 $57.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-06-07. End: 2012-08-31.

What specific services were procured under this contract, and what was the justification for limiting competition?

The provided data does not specify the exact services. The justification for limiting competition is crucial for understanding if the award was appropriate. Typically, justifications include unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. Without this, it's hard to assess value.

What is the benchmark cost for similar services in the Defense sector during the contract period?

Establishing a benchmark cost is challenging without knowing the specific services. However, for large, long-term defense contracts, costs can range from millions to billions. The $57.6 million total award suggests a significant but not unprecedented expenditure. Benchmarking would require detailed service comparisons.

How effectively did the Department of Defense manage this contract to ensure value and mitigate risks associated with limited competition?

Effective management would involve close monitoring of performance, adherence to the fixed-price terms, and proactive risk mitigation. Given the limited competition, oversight should have focused on ensuring the contractor met all requirements without scope creep or unjustified cost increases. Documentation of oversight activities is key.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 5600 W SAND LAKE RD, ORLANDO, FL, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline