DoD awards Boeing $21.5M for Small Diameter Bomb Lot 16 Production

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,540,952 ($21.5M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-11-09

End Date: 2025-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,633 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB INCREMENT I FOREIGN MILITARY SALES LOT 16 PRODUCTION

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: SMALL DIAMETER BOMB INCREMENT I FOREIGN MILITARY SALES LOT 16 PRODUCTION Key points: 1. Boeing secures a significant contract for critical munitions. 2. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery. 3. Potential for cost overruns exists with fixed-price incentive contracts. 4. This spending falls within the defense sector's ammunition manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.5M for 1633 days of performance appears reasonable for specialized munitions. However, without specific unit cost data or benchmarks for similar foreign military sales, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through market forces and may lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this defense contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution, potentially leading to higher overall defense spending.

Public Impact

Ensures continued supply of essential munitions for military operations. Supports a major defense contractor, contributing to the defense industrial base. Foreign military sales indicate international reliance on US defense capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits price competition.
  • Fixed-price incentive contract carries cost overrun risk.
  • Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders value assessment.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capabilities.
  • Ensures supply chain for essential munitions.
  • Contracts with a major defense manufacturer.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the defense sector, specifically within ammunition manufacturing. Spending in this area is driven by military readiness requirements and geopolitical factors. Benchmarks are difficult to ascertain due to the specialized nature of the munition.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large defense contractor. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as prime contractors or significant subcontractors in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force. Oversight would focus on performance, delivery schedules, and adherence to the fixed-price incentive terms to manage costs and ensure mission capability.

Related Government Programs

  • Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits price competition.
  • Fixed-price incentive contract can lead to cost overruns.
  • Lack of transparency in pricing for foreign military sales.
  • Potential for contractor to leverage unique position for higher profits.

Tags

ammunition-except-small-arms-manufacturi, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. SMALL DIAMETER BOMB INCREMENT I FOREIGN MILITARY SALES LOT 16 PRODUCTION

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 $21.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-11-09. End: 2025-04-30.

What is the historical cost performance of similar Small Diameter Bomb production lots awarded to Boeing or other manufacturers?

Historical cost performance data for similar Small Diameter Bomb production lots is crucial for evaluating the fairness of this $21.5M award. Analyzing past contracts, including any cost overruns or savings achieved under fixed-price incentive structures, would provide a benchmark to assess whether this lot's pricing is competitive and reflects efficient production.

What specific factors necessitated a sole-source award for this lot, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing without competition?

Understanding the rationale behind the sole-source award is key to assessing risk. If unique technological requirements, proprietary manufacturing processes, or urgent national security needs dictated this approach, it might justify the lack of competition. However, the government should have employed robust negotiation strategies and independent cost estimates to mitigate the risk of paying an inflated price.

How does the unit cost of this Small Diameter Bomb lot compare to publicly available cost estimates or intelligence assessments of similar munitions?

Comparing the unit cost of these Small Diameter Bombs to external estimates or intelligence assessments is vital for determining effectiveness and value. If the per-unit cost significantly exceeds benchmarks, it could indicate inefficiencies, excessive profit margins, or a failure in price negotiation, ultimately impacting the taxpayer's return on investment for defense spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingAmmunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JAMES S MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

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: $21,540,952

Exercised Options: $21,540,952

Current Obligation: $21,540,952

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA867220D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2020-11-09

Current End Date: 2025-04-30

Potential End Date: 2025-04-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-04-23

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