DoD's $2.19B IGF Sustainment Contract with Lockheed Martin Faces Scrutiny Over Cost and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,194,921,224 ($2.2B)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-03-15

End Date: 2025-04-30

Contract Duration: 4,429 days

Daily Burn Rate: $495.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT FISCAL YEAR 12-16

Place of Performance

Location: SUNNYVALE, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94089

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.19 billion to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT FISCAL YEAR 12-16 Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $2.19 billion over its life. 2. Lockheed Martin is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can incentivize cost overruns. 4. Long duration (2013-2025) suggests a critical, ongoing need for missile/space vehicle manufacturing support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for R&D, can lead to higher costs as the contractor is reimbursed for expenses plus a fixed fee. Without detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to assess if the $2.19B is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Although listed as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', the awardee is Lockheed Martin Corp. Further investigation is needed to confirm if multiple bids were genuinely considered and if the pricing reflects competitive pressures or if it's a sole-source situation disguised as open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The substantial value of this contract means taxpayers are funding a significant portion of the DoD's missile and space vehicle sustainment. Ensuring competitive pricing is crucial for maximizing taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Taxpayers are funding a large sustainment contract for critical defense assets. The long contract duration indicates ongoing reliance on these specific systems. Potential for cost overruns due to the CPFF contract type warrants close monitoring. Lack of transparency regarding the competitive process could lead to suboptimal pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Contract type (CPFF) can lead to higher costs.
  • Sole awardee raises competition concerns.
  • Long contract duration.
  • Lack of detailed cost transparency.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capabilities.
  • Long-term sustainment ensures operational readiness.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, a high-cost, technologically advanced area within the defense industry. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature, but large sustainment contracts are common.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. Given the prime contractor is Lockheed Martin and the nature of the work, it's unlikely small businesses are directly involved in the core sustainment activities, though they may be subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's long duration and significant value necessitate robust oversight from the Department of Defense's Inspector General and relevant oversight bodies to ensure cost control, performance, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

  • Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
  • Lack of clear evidence of robust competition despite 'full and open' designation.
  • Long contract duration may indicate a lack of viable alternatives or market shifts.
  • Limited transparency on specific cost drivers and performance metrics.
  • Sole awardee raises concerns about market dynamics and pricing power.

Tags

guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.19 billion to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. IGF::OT::IGF SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT FISCAL YEAR 12-16

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP.

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 $2.19 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-03-15. End: 2025-04-30.

What specific sustainment activities are covered under this $2.19B contract, and how do they align with the operational needs of the Air Force's guided missile and space vehicles?

The contract likely encompasses a broad range of sustainment activities including maintenance, repair, overhaul, logistics support, and potentially upgrades for specific guided missile and space vehicle systems. The alignment with operational needs would depend on the specific systems being supported and their lifecycle status, ensuring readiness and effectiveness of critical defense assets.

How was the 'full and open competition' process managed to ensure genuine price discovery and prevent potential contractor lock-in, given Lockheed Martin is the sole awardee?

Investigating the solicitation process, bid evaluation criteria, and the number of proposals received is crucial. If only one bid was submitted or if Lockheed Martin was the only viable option, the 'full and open' designation might be nominal. True price discovery requires a competitive environment where multiple bidders vie for the contract based on price and technical merit.

What measures are in place to control costs and ensure value for money under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure for this extensive, long-term contract?

Effective cost control under CPFF relies on stringent oversight, detailed cost reporting requirements, and clear performance metrics. The fixed fee provides some incentive alignment, but the government must actively monitor expenditures, validate costs, and ensure the contractor is operating efficiently to prevent unnecessary spending and maximize taxpayer value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingGuided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1111 LOCKHEED MARTIN WAY BLDG 157, SUNNYVALE, CA, 94089

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,965,473,743

Exercised Options: $2,198,478,587

Current Obligation: $2,194,921,224

Actual Outlays: $49,357,089

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1050

Total Subaward Amount: $23,918,716,927

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2013-03-15

Current End Date: 2025-04-30

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

Last Modified: 2025-11-26

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