DoD's $83.8M C-130J Propulsion Sustainment Contract Awarded to Rolls-Royce Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $83,855,202 ($83.9M)

Contractor: Rolls-Royce Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-02-01

End Date: 2022-11-30

Contract Duration: 302 days

Daily Burn Rate: $277.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: C-130J PROPULSION LONG TERM SUSTAINMENT- MISSION CARE - OPTION III

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46225

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $83.9 million to ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION for work described as: C-130J PROPULSION LONG TERM SUSTAINMENT- MISSION CARE - OPTION III Key points: 1. The contract focuses on long-term sustainment for C-130J aircraft propulsion systems. 2. Rolls-Royce Corporation is the sole provider for this specific sustainment mission. 3. The award is a delivery order under an existing contract, indicating a continuation of services. 4. The sector is dominated by a few large players, with Rolls-Royce being a key one.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $83.8M award for a 10-month period suggests a significant per-unit cost. Benchmarking against similar long-term sustainment contracts for complex aircraft components is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, likely due to the specialized nature of C-130J propulsion systems and Rolls-Royce's proprietary knowledge. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the sole-source nature of this award, as competitive pressures that typically drive down costs are absent.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of critical C-130J transport aircraft. Supports the Air Force's global mobility and logistical capabilities. Maintains the specialized expertise required for these advanced engine systems. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition impacts overall defense budget.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • High contract value for a relatively short duration.
  • Lack of transparency in cost breakdown.

Positive Signals

  • Ensures critical sustainment for essential military aircraft.
  • Leverages established expertise of a known provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft engine parts and maintenance. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining military readiness but is often characterized by high R&D costs and limited competition due to specialized technology.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded directly to Rolls-Royce Corporation, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a delivery order under an existing contract, suggesting some level of prior oversight. However, the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Dependency on a single supplier
  • Limited transparency in pricing

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $83.9 million to ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION. C-130J PROPULSION LONG TERM SUSTAINMENT- MISSION CARE - OPTION III

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ROLLS-ROYCE 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 $83.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-02-01. End: 2022-11-30.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable without competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from the unique capabilities or proprietary nature of the product or service. For C-130J propulsion sustainment, Rolls-Royce likely holds the intellectual property and specialized knowledge. The price is usually determined through negotiation, referencing historical data, cost analysis, and market research, though without direct competition, validating 'fairness' is more challenging.

What are the long-term cost implications of relying on a sole-source provider for critical aircraft sustainment?

Long-term reliance on a sole-source provider can lead to escalating costs as the provider faces no competitive pressure to innovate or reduce prices. It also creates a dependency risk, where the government has limited leverage if the provider decides to increase prices significantly or alter service terms. This can strain defense budgets over time.

How does this contract contribute to the overall operational effectiveness and readiness of the C-130J fleet?

This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational effectiveness and readiness of the C-130J fleet by ensuring the availability of necessary parts, maintenance, and technical support for its propulsion systems. Reliable sustainment directly translates to fewer aircraft downtime hours, enabling the Air Force to meet its global mission requirements consistently.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)MANAGEMENT SUPPORT 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: Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

Address: 450 S MERIDIAN ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46225

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $83,855,202

Exercised Options: $83,855,202

Current Obligation: $83,855,202

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA850417D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-02-01

Current End Date: 2022-11-30

Potential End Date: 2022-11-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-01-27

More Contracts from Rolls-Royce Corporation

View all Rolls-Royce Corporation federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending