DoD Awards $78M for X-31 Aircraft Demo, Extending Contract to 2015
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,760,749 ($32.8M)
Contractor: THE Boeing Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 1999-12-22
End Date: 2015-01-13
Contract Duration: 5,501 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200006!1700!000222!AT730 !NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001900C0181 !A!*!* !19991222!20011221!781650619!006265946!009256819!N!88277!MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MILITARY TRA!2401 E. WARDLOW ROAD !LONG BEACH !CA!90807!43000!037!06!LONG BEACH !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!0001!+000002374846!N!N!000000000000!AC14!RDTE/AIRCRAFT-DEMO/VALID !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2AVK!X-31 !3721!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!D !N!U!1!001!N!1A!A!Y!Z!* !* !N!C!*!A!A!A!A!A!A!* !*!N!A!C!N!*!*!*!Y!*!
Place of Performance
Location: LONG BEACH, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90807, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $32.8 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: 200006!1700!000222!AT730 !NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001900C0181 !A!*!* !19991222!20011221!781650619!006265946!009256819!N!88277!MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MILITARY TRA!2401 E. WARDLOW ROAD !LONG BEACH !CA!90807!43000!037!06!LONG BEACH !LOS… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to McDonnell Douglas Military Transport (now Boeing) for X-31 aircraft demonstration. 2. Significant contract extension from 2001 to 2015, indicating ongoing program needs. 3. Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type suggests potential for cost overruns. 4. High value ($78M) for a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) project.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $78,165,061.90 for a demonstration project is substantial. Without comparable contracts for similar advanced aircraft development, assessing its pricing efficiency is difficult. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure also introduces risk.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, likely due to the specialized nature of the X-31 program and the contractor's unique capabilities. The lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may lead to higher costs than a fully competed contract, impacting taxpayer investment in advanced aircraft research.
Public Impact
Advancement of experimental aircraft technology through the X-31 program. Potential for spin-off technologies benefiting future military and civilian aviation. Long-term government investment in a specific research and development project.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type
- Long contract duration with potential for scope creep
Positive Signals
- Supports critical RDTE for advanced aircraft
- Potential for technological innovation
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Defense sector, specifically Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE) for aircraft. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to cost overruns due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or participation by small businesses in this contract. Large prime contractors typically manage subcontracts, but direct small business involvement is not specified.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was managed by the Naval Air Systems Command, with oversight from the Defense Contract Management Agency. The long duration and cost-plus structure warrant close monitoring to ensure cost control and adherence to program objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and cost escalation.
- Lack of specific small business participation noted.
- Extended period of performance without clear interim deliverables.
Tags
department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $32.8 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. 200006!1700!000222!AT730 !NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001900C0181 !A!*!* !19991222!20011221!781650619!006265946!009256819!N!88277!MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MILITARY TRA!2401 E. WARDLOW ROAD !LONG BEACH !CA!90807!43000!037!06!LONG BEACH !LOS ANGELES !CALIFORNIA!0001!+000002374846!N!N!000000000000!AC14!RDTE/AIRCRAFT-DEMO/VALID !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2AVK!X-31 !3721!3!*!*!*!B!A!*!D !N!U!
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-12-22. End: 2015-01-13.
What were the specific technical objectives of the X-31 demonstration program, and how did this contract contribute to achieving them?
The X-31 program aimed to demonstrate advanced flight control technologies, particularly thrust vectoring, for enhanced maneuverability in high-angle-of-attack regimes. This contract funded the continued flight testing and data collection necessary to validate these technologies, providing crucial insights for future aircraft designs and potentially improving aerial combat capabilities.
Given the sole-source nature and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost growth and ensure value for money?
While the sole-source award and cost-plus-fixed-fee structure present inherent risks, oversight agencies like DCMA would typically monitor expenditures closely. Mechanisms might include detailed cost reporting, performance metrics, and potentially incentive fees tied to achieving specific milestones or cost efficiencies, though these are not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
What is the long-term strategic value of the X-31 program's technological advancements to the Department of Defense beyond this specific contract period?
The technologies demonstrated by the X-31, such as advanced thrust vectoring and high-angle-of-attack control, have had a lasting impact on aircraft design. These advancements inform the development of next-generation fighter jets and other advanced platforms, enhancing maneuverability, survivability, and overall combat effectiveness, thus providing significant long-term strategic value.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2401 E. WARDLOW ROAD, LONG BEACH, CA, 90807
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-12-22
Current End Date: 2015-01-13
Potential End Date: 2015-01-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-04-20
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