DoD awards Boeing $261M for Aircraft Manufacturing, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $261,220,072 ($261.2M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-09-18

End Date: 2012-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,965 days

Daily Burn Rate: $88.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $261.2 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant award to a major defense contractor. 2. Sole-source nature raises questions about price discovery. 3. Long contract duration may indicate complex requirements. 4. Focus on aircraft manufacturing aligns with defense needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $261M over 8 years is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value compared to similar aircraft manufacturing contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

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

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this large contract may result in taxpayers paying a premium for aircraft manufacturing services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competition. The long-term nature of the contract could lock in costs. Dependence on a single contractor for critical aircraft manufacturing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • High contract value
  • Long duration

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capability
  • Award to established prime contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically aircraft manufacturing. Spending benchmarks in this area are highly variable based on aircraft type and complexity, but large sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this contract suggests a potential lack of robust oversight in the initial procurement phase. Ongoing oversight would be critical to manage costs and performance.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for overpricing due to sole-source award.
  • Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
  • Long-term commitment may not reflect evolving needs.
  • Risk of contractor performance issues without competitive pressure.

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, mo, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $261.2 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $261.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-18. End: 2012-10-31.

What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Price reasonableness is usually determined through various methods, such as comparison to previous contracts, market research, or cost analysis. Without the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to confirm the exact rationale or pricing methodology used.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude and duration for critical defense assets?

Sole-source contracts of this scale carry risks including potential cost overruns due to lack of competition, reduced innovation, and contractor lock-in. For critical defense assets, this can also lead to supply chain vulnerabilities if the sole provider faces disruptions. The government may have less leverage to negotiate favorable terms or drive efficiency improvements over the contract's life.

How does the performance and cost of this contract compare to other similar aircraft manufacturing contracts awarded competitively?

Direct comparison is challenging without access to detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns. However, sole-source contracts generally tend to be more expensive than competitively awarded ones. If this contract's cost per unit or overall value significantly exceeds benchmarks for similar, competed contracts, it would indicate potential inefficiency or overpricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: J S MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63166

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $98,641,787

Exercised Options: $98,641,787

Current Obligation: $261,220,072

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-09-18

Current End Date: 2012-10-31

Potential End Date: 2012-10-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2019-09-17

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