Air Force awards Boeing $26.3M for B21 Lab Integration Assets, including weapon modules and test vehicles
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,317,302 ($26.3M)
Contractor: THE Boeing Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-11-03
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,093 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: REQUIREMENT FOR B21 LAB INTEGRATION ASSETS. INCLUDING 12-PACK RACK ASSEMBLIES, WEAPON MODULES, TEST VEHICLES, TACTICAL TRAINING ROUNDS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $26.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: REQUIREMENT FOR B21 LAB INTEGRATION ASSETS. INCLUDING 12-PACK RACK ASSEMBLIES, WEAPON MODULES, TEST VEHICLES, TACTICAL TRAINING ROUNDS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Significant investment in B21 bomber program infrastructure and testing. 2. Sole-source award to Boeing, raising questions about competition and price discovery. 3. Contract duration of nearly three years suggests complex integration needs. 4. Focus on specialized assets like weapon modules and tactical training rounds.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The total award of $26.3M for a variety of complex assets, including rack assemblies and weapon modules, makes a direct per-unit cost comparison difficult without further breakdown. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits benchmarking.
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 approach bypasses competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to a competed procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: Without competition, taxpayers may be paying a premium for these specialized B21 integration assets.
Public Impact
Supports the development and readiness of the next-generation B21 bomber. Ensures availability of critical testing and training components. Potential for long-term strategic advantage through advanced aerospace technology. Highlights significant government investment in defense modernization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- High dollar value for specialized assets
Positive Signals
- Supports critical defense program
- Firm-fixed-price contract
- Long-term delivery schedule
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically related to aircraft components and systems. Spending in this area is often characterized by high R&D costs, long development cycles, and significant government investment, with major contractors like Boeing dominating.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data, suggesting limited direct impact on the small business sector for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
As a sole-source award for a critical defense program, this contract warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective execution. The Department of the Air Force's role in managing this delivery order is key to accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source nature
- Limited transparency on specific cost breakdowns
- Reliance on a single large contractor
- Complexity of integrating advanced weapon systems
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 $26.3 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. REQUIREMENT FOR B21 LAB INTEGRATION ASSETS. INCLUDING 12-PACK RACK ASSEMBLIES, WEAPON MODULES, TEST VEHICLES, TACTICAL TRAINING ROUNDS AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.
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 $26.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-03. End: 2026-10-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing without competition?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. To ensure fair and reasonable pricing, the procuring agency would likely conduct a thorough price analysis, comparing proposed costs against historical data, independent cost estimates, or commercial price lists if applicable. However, without competition, the inherent price discovery mechanism is absent, making robust internal analysis crucial.
How does the cost of these B21 lab integration assets compare to similar procurements for previous generation aircraft programs?
Direct comparison is challenging due to the unique nature of the B21 program and its advanced technologies. However, the $26.3 million award for integration assets, including weapon modules and test vehicles, suggests a significant investment. Historical data from programs like the F-35 or B-2 might offer some benchmarks, but the B21's cutting-edge requirements likely command different cost structures, potentially higher due to R&D and specialized manufacturing.
What is the expected impact of these integration assets on the overall timeline and effectiveness of the B21 program?
These lab integration assets are crucial for the development, testing, and validation phases of the B21 program. They enable engineers and technicians to simulate operational environments, integrate subsystems, and refine weapon systems before flight testing. Their timely delivery and functionality directly contribute to the program's schedule adherence and the ultimate effectiveness and combat readiness of the B21 bomber.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: WEAPONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6200 JS 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: $26,503,085
Exercised Options: $26,317,302
Current Obligation: $26,317,302
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 22
Total Subaward Amount: $6,449,630
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA867219D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-03
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2026-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-13
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