DoD's $40.8M Lockheed Martin Delivery Order for Air Transportation Support Lacks Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,850,890 ($40.9M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-05-27

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,738 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: RAPID DELIVERY ORDER 0007

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76108

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $40.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: RAPID DELIVERY ORDER 0007 Key points: 1. Significant contract value of over $40 million. 2. Sole-source award to a major defense contractor, Lockheed Martin. 3. Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Contract falls under 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not carefully managed. Without competitive benchmarking, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee and cost reimbursement are reasonable for the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to drive down prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government is receiving the best possible value for taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential air transportation support services. Limited transparency into the cost drivers for this specific support. Potential for reduced innovation if competitive pressures are absent.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Lack of transparency in pricing

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical Air Force operations
  • Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract is in the 'Other Support Activities for Air Transportation' sector, which is crucial for military logistics and operations. Spending in this area can vary widely based on mission requirements and contractor capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation, a large defense contractor. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific delivery order.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight from the Department of Defense to ensure cost reasonableness and effective performance. Robust auditing of costs and performance metrics is essential.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Limited transparency
  • Sole-source award justification needed

Tags

other-support-activities-for-air-transpo, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $40.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. RAPID DELIVERY ORDER 0007

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 $40.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-27. End: 2027-02-28.

What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and how does it align with federal procurement regulations for non-competitive awards?

Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. The justification would need to detail why competition was not feasible or not in the government's best interest. This could include unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. A thorough review of the justification is necessary to ensure compliance and prevent potential abuse.

How will the Department of Defense ensure cost control and value for money given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and the absence of competition?

The Department of Defense can implement stringent cost monitoring, performance metrics, and regular audits to manage costs under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. Establishing clear performance standards and incentivizing efficiency, even without direct price competition, is crucial. Independent cost estimates and benchmarking against similar, albeit potentially competed, contracts can also provide a basis for value assessment.

What are the potential long-term implications for the Air Force's operational readiness and budget if this sole-source arrangement continues without periodic re-evaluation?

Continuing a sole-source arrangement without re-evaluation risks escalating costs over time as the contractor faces no competitive pressure to innovate or reduce expenses. This could strain the Air Force's budget, potentially diverting funds from other critical areas. Furthermore, reliance on a single provider might limit access to newer technologies or more efficient solutions that could emerge from a competitive market, impacting long-term operational readiness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and WarehousingSupport Activities for Air TransportationOther Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 1 LOCKHEED BLVD BLDG 10, FORT WORTH, TX, 76108

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: $40,850,890

Exercised Options: $40,850,890

Current Obligation: $40,850,890

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $105,225

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA861119D2123

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-05-27

Current End Date: 2027-02-28

Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-08-28

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