DoD's $31.1M Missile Testing Support Contract Awarded to Lockheed Martin Raises Questions on Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,104,032 ($31.1M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-07-07

End Date: 2025-07-15

Contract Duration: 1,834 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: STOCKPILE RELIABILITY PROGRAM (SRP) ANNEX TASK ORDER WILL PROCURE TOOLING, TEST FIXTURES, MISSILE CHECKOUT CONSOLES PRODUCTION AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT MISSILE TESTING.

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75051

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.1 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: STOCKPILE RELIABILITY PROGRAM (SRP) ANNEX TASK ORDER WILL PROCURE TOOLING, TEST FIXTURES, MISSILE CHECKOUT CONSOLES PRODUCTION AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT MISSILE TESTING. Key points: 1. The Department of Defense awarded a $31.1 million contract to Lockheed Martin for missile testing equipment. 2. This contract was not competed, raising concerns about potential overpricing and limited vendor options. 3. The procurement supports the Stockpile Reliability Program, crucial for national defense readiness. 4. The lack of competition may limit opportunities for small businesses and innovative solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $31.1 million for tooling and test equipment needs careful benchmarking against similar defense procurements. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if this price reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded sole-source to Lockheed Martin, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This method can lead to higher prices and may not leverage the full range of available market solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could result in taxpayers paying a premium for the required missile testing equipment and services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued readiness and reliability of critical missile systems. Supports advanced technological development in defense capabilities. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award impacting defense budget allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Limited small business participation

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical national defense program
  • Procures essential testing equipment

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the defense sector, specifically supporting missile systems. Spending benchmarks for specialized tooling and test equipment can vary widely, but a lack of competition often inflates costs compared to open market procurements.

Small Business Impact

The sole-source nature of this award significantly limits opportunities for small businesses to participate or offer competitive solutions. This contract does not appear to have specific provisions for small business subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and prevent waste. The Missile Defense Agency should provide detailed justification for the lack of competition and rigorous cost analysis.

Related Government Programs

  • Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Missile Defense Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of demonstrated price competition
  • Potential for inflated costs
  • Limited small business opportunities

Tags

process-physical-distribution-and-logist, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.1 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. STOCKPILE RELIABILITY PROGRAM (SRP) ANNEX TASK ORDER WILL PROCURE TOOLING, TEST FIXTURES, MISSILE CHECKOUT CONSOLES PRODUCTION AND OTHER EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT MISSILE TESTING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-07. End: 2025-07-15.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source to Lockheed Martin, and what steps were taken to ensure a fair and reasonable price?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Rigorous price analysis, including comparison with historical data and independent cost estimates, should be conducted to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, even without competition. Documentation of these steps is vital for accountability.

What is the potential impact of this sole-source award on the overall cost-effectiveness of the Stockpile Reliability Program?

A sole-source award can lead to higher costs compared to a competitive process due to the absence of price pressure from multiple bidders. This could potentially increase the overall expenditure for the Stockpile Reliability Program, diverting funds that might otherwise be used for other critical defense initiatives or research.

Are there any plans to introduce competition in future task orders or related procurements for missile testing equipment and services?

Future competition could be introduced by breaking down requirements into smaller, more accessible contracts, conducting thorough market research to identify potential new vendors, and clearly defining performance-based requirements. Encouraging new entrants and fostering a competitive environment can lead to better value and innovation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesProcess, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT/REPAIR SHOP EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HQ085320R0028

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1701 W MARSHALL DR, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, 75051

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: $38,222,442

Exercised Options: $31,104,032

Current Obligation: $31,104,032

Actual Outlays: $23,012,214

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 59

Total Subaward Amount: $21,556,162

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ085320D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2020-07-07

Current End Date: 2025-07-15

Potential End Date: 2025-07-15 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-03-13

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