DoD awards $40.25M for Sniper Pods to Lockheed Martin, facing limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,251,233 ($40.3M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-08-28

End Date: 2019-12-10

Contract Duration: 469 days

Daily Burn Rate: $85.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SNIPER PODS FOR THE COUNTRY OF TAIWAN

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32819

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $40.3 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: SNIPER PODS FOR THE COUNTRY OF TAIWAN Key points: 1. High value contract for critical defense equipment. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition. 4. Sector: Defense, specifically targeting systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $40.25M for Sniper Pods is significant. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar systems or potential alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely results in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Ensures Taiwan's defense capabilities with advanced targeting systems. Potential for increased defense spending without competitive pressure. Highlights reliance on a single contractor for critical components.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

  • Provides critical defense technology
  • Supports international security partnerships

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for targeting and navigation systems. Spending in this area is often driven by national security needs and technological advancements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses in this contract award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Defense, through the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight is crucial to ensure delivery and performance, especially in sole-source situations.

Related Government Programs

  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for price inflation
  • Limited transparency on justification

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $40.3 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. SNIPER PODS FOR THE COUNTRY OF TAIWAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $40.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-28. End: 2019-12-10.

What is the justification for awarding this contract as sole-source?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. Further investigation into the specific reasons cited by the Department of Defense is needed to fully understand the rationale and its impact on competition.

What is the long-term cost implication of sole-source contracts for advanced defense systems?

Sole-source contracts can lead to higher long-term costs due to the absence of competitive pressure to reduce prices. Contractors may face less incentive to innovate or become more efficient. This can result in sustained higher spending for taxpayers over the lifecycle of the system.

How does the performance of Sniper Pods compare to similar systems, and was this considered?

Without competitive bidding, it's challenging to ascertain if the performance of these Sniper Pods was benchmarked against other available systems. The sole-source nature suggests the decision was based on specific, potentially unique, capabilities of the Lockheed Martin offering, rather than a comparative evaluation of multiple options.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 5600 W SAND LAKE RD # MP-265, ORLANDO, FL, 32819

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: $40,251,233

Exercised Options: $40,251,233

Current Obligation: $40,251,233

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $4,445,677

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA854015D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-08-28

Current End Date: 2019-12-10

Potential End Date: 2019-12-10 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-02-19

More Contracts from Lockheed Martin Corporation

View all Lockheed Martin Corporation federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending