DoD Awards $136M for Radar Equipment to Lockheed Martin, Raising Competition Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,692,500 ($45.7M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-05-27

End Date: 2013-07-31

Contract Duration: 3,352 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200411!006794!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785404C2019 !A!N! !N! ! !20040527!20090131!130956345!834951691!834951691!N!LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION !ELECTRONICS PARKWAY BLDG 7!SYRACUSE !NY!13221!73000!067!36!SYRACUSE !ONONDAGA !NEW YORK !+000032748998!Y!N!000000000000!5840!RADAR EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B!D!N!A! !D!Y!J!1!001!N!1A!A!Y!A! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!00 !A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: LIVERPOOL, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13088

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $45.7 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: 200411!006794!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785404C2019 !A!N! !N! ! !20040527!20090131!130956345!834951691!834951691!N!LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION !ELECTRONICS PARKWAY BLDG 7!SYRACUSE !NY!13221!73000!067!36!SYRACUSE !ONON… Key points: 1. Significant contract awarded to a single large business, raising questions about competition. 2. The contract value of $136.3 million is substantial, warranting close scrutiny. 3. The 'Not Competed' award type suggests potential missed opportunities for cost savings. 4. The sector is Defense, specifically electronics and communication equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $136.3 million for radar equipment appears high, especially given the 'Not Competed' award. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comparable systems is crucial to assess if this price reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense relies on this equipment, making its cost and effectiveness critical. Lack of transparency in the procurement process can erode public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of Competition
  • Potential Overpricing
  • Limited Transparency

Positive Signals

  • Awarded to a known defense contractor
  • Contract duration aligns with potential technology lifecycle

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for electronics and communication equipment. Spending in this area is often high due to the specialized nature and technological advancements required.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin Corporation, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large, complex defense contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Not Competed' status warrants further investigation by oversight bodies to ensure the justification for limited competition was sound and that taxpayer funds were used efficiently.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition may have led to inflated costs.
  • Potential for overpayment due to limited price discovery.
  • Limited transparency in the procurement process.
  • No clear indication of small business involvement.
  • Contract awarded for a significant duration (original award to end date).

Tags

other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $45.7 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. 200411!006794!1700!F9999 !MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS COMMAND !M6785404C2019 !A!N! !N! ! !20040527!20090131!130956345!834951691!834951691!N!LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION !ELECTRONICS PARKWAY BLDG 7!SYRACUSE !NY!13221!73000!067!36!SYRACUSE !ONONDAGA !NEW YORK !+000032748998!Y!N!000000000000!5840!RADAR EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-05-27. End: 2013-07-31.

What was the specific justification for not competing this contract, and was it adequately documented?

The justification for not competing this contract is critical for understanding the procurement decision. Agencies typically require detailed documentation outlining why a full and open competition was not feasible, such as the existence of a unique capability, urgent need, or specific government-owned intellectual property. Without this documentation, it's difficult to assess if the limited competition was truly warranted or if it represents a missed opportunity for better value.

How does the per-unit cost of this radar equipment compare to similar systems procured competitively by the DoD or other agencies?

Comparing the per-unit cost to similar systems procured competitively is essential for value assessment. If this contract's pricing is significantly higher, it suggests that the lack of competition led to inflated costs. Benchmarking against publicly available data or conducting a cost realism analysis would reveal if taxpayers received a fair price for the radar equipment.

What is the operational impact and effectiveness of this radar equipment, and how does it contribute to the Marine Corps' mission?

Understanding the operational impact and effectiveness of the radar equipment is crucial, regardless of the procurement method. This involves assessing its performance metrics, reliability, and contribution to the Marine Corps' overall mission capabilities. Even with a sole-source award, ensuring the equipment meets stringent operational requirements and provides necessary defense capabilities is paramount for mission success.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingCommunications Equipment ManufacturingOther Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: ELECTRONICS PARKWAY BLDG 7, SYRACUSE, NY, 13221

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-05-27

Current End Date: 2013-07-31

Potential End Date: 2013-07-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2018-11-01

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