DoD Acquires Two Leased Aircraft for $48M from Boeing via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,010,000 ($48.0M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-09-12

End Date: 2008-09-18

Contract Duration: 6 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0M/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PURCHASE TWO (2) LEASED AIRCRAFT

Place of Performance

Location: KENT, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98032

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $48.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: PURCHASE TWO (2) LEASED AIRCRAFT Key points: 1. Significant investment in aircraft acquisition, totaling $48.01 million. 2. Sole supplier identified as The Boeing Company, indicating potential market concentration. 3. Contract awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Aircraft Manufacturing sector, with a specific NAICS code of 336411. 5. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the Department of the Air Force.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract price of $48.01 million for two leased aircraft appears reasonable given the benchmark of $8.00 million for similar contracts. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: $24,005,000

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The existence of a benchmark price suggests that pricing discovery was effective.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this significant aircraft acquisition.

Public Impact

Enhances Air Force operational capabilities with new leased aircraft. Supports the aerospace manufacturing industry and associated supply chains. Potential for long-term strategic asset development for national defense.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Leasing vs. purchasing decision impact on long-term asset ownership.
  • Dependence on a single manufacturer (Boeing) for critical assets.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded via full and open competition.
  • Fixed-price contract type for cost control.
  • Clear benchmark price available for comparison.

Sector Analysis

This acquisition falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, specifically NAICS 336411. Spending in this sector is critical for defense readiness and technological advancement. Benchmarks for similar aircraft procurements are essential for evaluating cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor. There is no explicit indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large-scale aerospace procurements.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program management, contract administration, and potentially Inspector General reviews to ensure compliance and value.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for high long-term costs associated with leasing.
  • Concentration of supply with a single manufacturer.
  • Lack of detailed specifications for leased aircraft.
  • Limited information on small business participation.

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, wa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $48.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. PURCHASE TWO (2) LEASED AIRCRAFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

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 $48.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-12. End: 2008-09-18.

What is the total cost of ownership over the lease term, including maintenance and operational costs, compared to outright purchase?

The provided data focuses on the initial acquisition cost of $48.01 million for two leased aircraft. A comprehensive total cost of ownership analysis would require details on lease duration, residual value, maintenance agreements, insurance, and potential upgrade costs. Without these specifics, a direct comparison to outright purchase is difficult, but leasing often shifts upfront capital expenditure for operational expenditure, which can have different budgetary implications.

What specific factors contributed to the benchmark price of $8.00 million for similar contracts, and how do the leased aircraft compare in terms of capabilities?

The benchmark price of $8.00 million likely reflects the cost of similar aircraft models or configurations acquired under comparable contract terms. Factors influencing this benchmark could include aircraft size, range, payload capacity, avionics, and age. The specific capabilities of the two leased aircraft acquired for $48.01 million (averaging $24.005 million each) are not detailed, but they are presumably higher-specification or newer models than those represented by the lower benchmark, justifying the significant price difference.

How does the reliance on Boeing for these leased aircraft impact the Air Force's long-term strategic sourcing and potential for future competition?

Sole-sourcing or heavy reliance on a single provider like Boeing for critical assets can limit future competition and potentially increase long-term costs if pricing power shifts. While this specific contract was competitively awarded, the ongoing relationship and potential for follow-on leases or acquisitions warrant strategic sourcing analysis to ensure sustained access to diverse suppliers and maintain competitive pressure in the aerospace market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20403 68TH AVE S MS 8K-10, KENT, WA, 98032

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,010,000

Exercised Options: $48,010,000

Current Obligation: $48,010,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-09-12

Current End Date: 2008-09-18

Potential End Date: 2008-09-18 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2020-01-23

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