Boeing Awarded $20.7M for Small Diameter Bomb Production, Lot 17 for USAF

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,745,302 ($20.7M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-11-08

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,330 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I PRODUCTION, LOT 17 USAF

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.7 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I PRODUCTION, LOT 17 USAF Key points: 1. Boeing is the sole contractor for this ammunition production lot. 2. The contract is for fixed-price incentive, indicating shared risk between government and contractor. 3. This award falls under the Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing sector. 4. The duration of 1330 days suggests a significant production run or development phase.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The fixed-price incentive structure allows for cost overruns up to a certain point, with shared risk. Without historical data or benchmarks for this specific lot, assessing value is challenging. The award amount of $20.7M needs comparison to similar production runs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Boeing Company. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the Small Diameter Bomb production.

Public Impact

Ensures continued supply of critical munitions for the U.S. Air Force. Supports advanced aerial warfare capabilities through the Small Diameter Bomb. Potential for job creation and economic activity within the defense manufacturing sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • Fixed-price incentive contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

  • Addresses a critical defense need for the USAF.
  • Award to a known, experienced defense contractor.
  • Long-term contract provides production stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing sector, a critical component of the defense industrial base. Spending in this sector is driven by military readiness requirements and technological advancements in ordnance.

Small Business Impact

There is no specific indication of small business participation in this award. As a sole-source contract with a large prime contractor, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist but are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense's contracting oversight mechanisms should be applied to monitor performance, cost, and adherence to contract terms. The fixed-price incentive structure requires careful tracking of cost targets and incentives.

Related Government Programs

  • Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for cost overruns under FPI
  • Limited transparency on pricing benchmarks

Tags

ammunition-except-small-arms-manufacturi, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.7 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. SMALL DIAMETER BOMB I PRODUCTION, LOT 17 USAF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-08. End: 2025-06-30.

What is the historical cost per unit for similar Small Diameter Bomb production lots, and how does this award compare?

Determining the precise historical cost per unit for comparable Small Diameter Bomb production lots is challenging without access to classified or internal DoD data. However, a general benchmark for complex munitions can range significantly based on quantity, technology, and specific configurations. This $20.7M award, spread over potentially thousands of units, requires detailed cost analysis against prior procurements to ascertain if it represents fair and reasonable pricing, especially given the sole-source nature of this award.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for critical munitions production, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated prices and reduced innovation. Mitigation strategies include robust negotiation by the contracting agency, thorough cost analysis, and potentially establishing clear performance metrics and incentives within the contract. For critical munitions, ensuring supply chain resilience and quality control are paramount, even without competition.

How does the fixed-price incentive (FPI) contract structure impact the effectiveness of this award in achieving cost and performance goals?

The FPI structure aims to balance cost control and performance by sharing risks and rewards between the government and contractor. Effectiveness hinges on well-defined target costs, ceiling prices, and share ratios. If targets are realistic and incentives are properly structured, it can drive efficiency. However, poorly set targets or inadequate oversight can lead to cost overruns without commensurate performance gains, diminishing the award's overall effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingAmmunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JAMES S MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

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: $20,745,302

Exercised Options: $20,745,302

Current Obligation: $20,745,302

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA867220D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-11-08

Current End Date: 2025-06-30

Potential End Date: 2025-06-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-06-10

More Contracts from THE Boeing Company

View all THE Boeing Company federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending