DoD awards $58.5M for RSAF aircraft parts, with no competition and significant risk

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $58,523,544 ($58.5M)

Contractor: General Electric Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-25

End Date: 2022-01-27

Contract Duration: 1,220 days

Daily Burn Rate: $48.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE (RSAF) INITIAL PROVISIONING, SPARES, CONSUMABLES, WAR READINESS KITS, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45215

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $58.5 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY for work described as: ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE (RSAF) INITIAL PROVISIONING, SPARES, CONSUMABLES, WAR READINESS KITS, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT. Key points: 1. High dollar value for aircraft parts and support equipment. 2. Sole-source award to General Electric Company raises competition concerns. 3. Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Significant risk associated with sole-source defense contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $58.5M for aircraft parts and support equipment is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to General Electric Company. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition on this large contract potentially results in taxpayers paying more than necessary for critical aircraft components and support.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential military aircraft parts. Lack of transparency in pricing due to sole-source award. Potential impact on readiness if parts are not procured at the best possible price.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing
  • Foreign military sale implications

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense needs for an allied nation
  • Ensures operational readiness of RSAF aircraft

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is critical for defense readiness, but competitive procurement is essential to manage costs effectively.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. The prime contractor is General Electric Company, a large corporation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for overseeing contract performance. However, the sole-source nature limits the scope of oversight regarding price reasonableness.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits price competition.
  • Potential for inflated costs due to lack of bidding.
  • Risk of vendor lock-in.
  • Limited transparency in pricing justification.

Tags

aircraft-engine-and-engine-parts-manufac, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $58.5 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE (RSAF) INITIAL PROVISIONING, SPARES, CONSUMABLES, WAR READINESS KITS, AND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $58.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-25. End: 2022-01-27.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and was a full and open competition truly not feasible?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the specific reasons. However, a thorough review should confirm that exploring all competitive avenues was indeed impractical before resorting to a sole-source designation, ensuring taxpayer funds are used judiciously.

What measures are in place to ensure price reasonableness given the lack of competition?

In sole-source procurements, price reasonableness is often assessed through cost analysis, comparison to historical pricing, or benchmarking against similar commercial items. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) likely performed a cost analysis. However, the absence of competing bids inherently reduces the certainty of achieving the lowest possible price for the government.

What is the long-term strategic impact of awarding such a significant contract without competition to a single provider?

Awarding large, sole-source contracts without competition can foster vendor lock-in, potentially reducing future competitive opportunities and innovation. It may also create a dependency on a single supplier, which could pose risks to supply chain resilience and long-term cost management. Strategic sourcing reviews should periodically assess alternatives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ENGINES AND TURBINES AND COMPONENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: FA812217R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 NEUMANN WAY, CINCINNATI, OH, 45215

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $58,569,067

Exercised Options: $58,569,067

Current Obligation: $58,523,544

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA812214G0001

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-09-25

Current End Date: 2022-01-27

Potential End Date: 2022-01-27 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-01-31

More Contracts from General Electric Company

View all General Electric Company federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending