DoD's $19.2M High Pressure Pure Air Generators Contract Awarded to ULTRA PCS LIMITED

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,241,666 ($19.2M)

Contractor: Ultra PCS Limited

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-03-18

End Date: 2013-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,627 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: HIGH PRESSURE PURE AIR GENERATORS TAS::17 1804::TAS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.2 million to ULTRA PCS LIMITED for work described as: HIGH PRESSURE PURE AIR GENERATORS TAS::17 1804::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ULTRA PCS LIMITED for $19.2 million. 2. The contract falls under 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. 3. This was a 'NOT COMPETED' award, raising questions about price discovery. 4. The contract duration was 1627 days, ending in August 2013. 5. No small business participation was noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract was not competed, making a direct pricing assessment against similar contracts difficult. Without competitive bids, it's hard to determine if the $19.2 million represented fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis ('NOT COMPETED'). This lack of competition likely limited price discovery and may have resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition suggests potential overpayment by taxpayers, as a more competitive process could have driven down costs.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long contract duration (over 4 years) means sustained potential for overpricing. Lack of transparency in the sole-source award process hinders public understanding of the value received.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
No small business participation

Positive Signals

Definitive contract awarded
Firm fixed price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on defense needs and technological advancements. Benchmarks are difficult without specific product comparisons.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. This represents a missed opportunity for small business participation in a significant federal contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests potential weaknesses in oversight regarding the justification for a sole-source award. Accountability for ensuring fair pricing in non-competitive situations is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
No small business participation noted.
Long contract duration increases risk over time.
Limited information on specific product and justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.2 million to ULTRA PCS LIMITED. HIGH PRESSURE PURE AIR GENERATORS TAS::17 1804::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ULTRA PCS LIMITED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-18. End: 2013-08-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Further investigation into the contract file would be required to ascertain the exact reason.

How does the $19.2 million price compare to industry benchmarks for similar high-pressure pure air generators?

Without competitive bidding data or specific product specifications, it is challenging to establish a precise benchmark. However, the lack of competition inherently raises concerns that the price may not reflect the most advantageous market rate. A comparative market analysis would be needed to assess potential overpricing.

What was the operational impact or necessity of these specific air generators for the Department of the Navy?

The data indicates the contract was for 'HIGH PRESSURE PURE AIR GENERATORS' for the Department of the Navy, falling under 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. While the exact operational necessity isn't detailed, such equipment is often critical for aircraft maintenance, testing, or specialized environmental controls within aviation operations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Undersea Sensor Systems Inc (UEI: 349084822)

Address: ANSON BUSINESS PARK CHELTENHAM ROAD EAST, GLOUCESTER

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,350,083

Exercised Options: $19,285,083

Current Obligation: $19,241,666

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline