DoD's $20.6M F-16 ASIP Contract Awarded to Lockheed Martin Raises Competition Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,588,375 ($20.6M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-03-01

End Date: 2017-07-28

Contract Duration: 514 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF F-16 AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM(ASIP)

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76108

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF F-16 AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM(ASIP) Key points: 1. Significant contract value for aircraft structural integrity program. 2. Sole awardee, Lockheed Martin, dominates F-16 related services. 3. Lack of competition poses a potential risk to cost-effectiveness. 4. Engineering services sector sees substantial government spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $20.6 million for engineering services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to potential market rates for similar structural integrity programs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Lockheed Martin. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these critical aircraft maintenance services.

Public Impact

Ensures the structural integrity of F-16 aircraft, crucial for operational readiness. Supports the U.S. Air Force's fleet maintenance and safety protocols. Potential for increased costs impacts overall defense budget allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Sole-source award
  • Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

  • Critical safety and maintenance program
  • Supports vital military aircraft

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is vital for maintaining complex military assets like aircraft. Spending in this area is often substantial due to the specialized nature of the work.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific allocation or consideration for small businesses in this contract award. The prime contractor is a large corporation, suggesting limited opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars. Accountability for the justification of a sole-source award is essential.

Related Government Programs

  • Engineering Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
  • Potential for inflated costs due to lack of market validation.
  • Limited transparency in price determination.
  • Dependency on a single contractor for critical services.

Tags

engineering-services, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF F-16 AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM(ASIP)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

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 $20.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-03-01. End: 2017-07-28.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one contractor can fulfill the requirement. Agencies must conduct market research and price analyses to ensure the awarded price is fair and reasonable, even without competition. Documentation of these efforts is crucial for oversight.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar structural integrity programs for other aircraft types or previous contracts for the F-16?

Benchmarking against similar programs is challenging without competitive data. However, a review of historical F-16 ASIP contracts or comparable structural integrity programs for other aircraft (e.g., F-15, F-22) could reveal cost trends. Significant deviations without clear justification would be a red flag.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive sourcing of F-16 structural integrity and related engineering services?

The long-term strategy should involve exploring opportunities for future competition, potentially by breaking down the requirement into smaller, more accessible contracts or encouraging new entrants into the market. Developing a robust acquisition plan that prioritizes competition, where feasible, is key to achieving better value and innovation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 1 LOCKHEED BLVD, FORT WORTH, TX, 76108

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,642,827

Exercised Options: $20,611,603

Current Obligation: $20,588,375

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F4262001D0058

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-03-01

Current End Date: 2017-07-28

Potential End Date: 2017-07-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-03

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