DoD's $422M EELV Silent Barker Contract Awarded to United Launch Services Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $422,120,494 ($422.1M)
Contractor: United Launch Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-02-21
End Date: 2023-11-23
Contract Duration: 1,736 days
Daily Burn Rate: $243.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: EVOLVED EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE SILENT BARKER.
Place of Performance
Location: ENGLEWOOD, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $422.1 million to UNITED LAUNCH SERVICES, LLC for work described as: EVOLVED EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE SILENT BARKER. Key points: 1. The contract value of $422.12 million for the EELV Silent Barker program indicates a significant investment in national security space launch capabilities. 2. United Launch Services, LLC secured this contract through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm fixed price contract type aims to control costs for the Department of Defense. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically focusing on space launch and related transportation services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $422.12 million contract value for the EELV Silent Barker program appears reasonable given the complexity and criticality of space launch services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale defense contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. The existence of multiple bidders likely drove price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to maximize taxpayer value by ensuring fair pricing for essential defense services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to space for critical national security missions. Supports advanced technological development in the aerospace and defense sectors. Contributes to the U.S. government's strategic positioning in space-based operations. Creates jobs and economic activity within the aerospace industry.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in complex, long-term space programs.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical launch services.
- Geopolitical risks impacting launch schedules or operations.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract type.
- Experienced contractor with a track record in launch services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on expendable launch vehicle services. Spending in this area is critical for national security and often involves high-value, complex procurements.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract type provides some level of cost control, but ongoing monitoring is crucial for performance and budget adherence.
Related Government Programs
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is substantial, increasing exposure to potential changes.
- Firm Fixed Price can lead to contractor resistance to scope changes.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical services.
- Potential for cost escalation if unforeseen technical challenges arise.
- Complexity of space launch operations inherently carries risk.
Tags
nonscheduled-chartered-freight-air-trans, department-of-defense, co, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $422.1 million to UNITED LAUNCH SERVICES, LLC. EVOLVED EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE SILENT BARKER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNITED LAUNCH SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $422.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-21. End: 2023-11-23.
What is the specific performance period and key milestones for the EELV Silent Barker program?
The contract duration is 1736 days, spanning from February 21, 2019, to November 23, 2023. Key milestones would likely include successful launch preparations, mission execution, and post-mission analysis. Specific details on these milestones are not provided in the data but are critical for assessing program progress and value realization.
What are the primary risks associated with the EELV Silent Barker program, beyond general launch risks?
Beyond standard launch risks like technical failures or weather delays, specific risks could include evolving threat landscapes requiring rapid adaptation of capabilities, potential obsolescence of technology within the program's lifecycle, and the high cost of developing and maintaining advanced space launch systems. The reliance on a single provider, even if competitively selected, also presents a risk.
How does the performance of this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Department of Defense's space-based assets?
The EELV Silent Barker program is crucial for ensuring the reliable and secure deployment of national security payloads into orbit. Its effectiveness directly impacts the DoD's ability to maintain situational awareness, command and control, and communication capabilities, which are vital for modern military operations and national security.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Nonscheduled Air Transportation › Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: FA881118R0001
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C
Address: 9501 E PANORAMA CIR, CENTENNIAL, CO, 80112
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $422,120,494
Exercised Options: $422,120,494
Current Obligation: $422,120,494
Actual Outlays: $23,977,945
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 23
Total Subaward Amount: $3,536,962
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-21
Current End Date: 2023-11-23
Potential End Date: 2023-11-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-24
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