DoD awards $99.4M for EA-18G Time Critical Parts, with Boeing as sole source

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $993,773,458 ($993.8M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-12-23

End Date: 2015-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,442 days

Daily Burn Rate: $407.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TIME CRITICAL PARTS (TCP) IN SUPPORT OF EA-18G FRP (LOT 33) AEA KITS

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, ST. LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $993.8 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: TIME CRITICAL PARTS (TCP) IN SUPPORT OF EA-18G FRP (LOT 33) AEA KITS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The Boeing Company for critical aircraft parts. 2. Significant spending on specialized components for the EA-18G Growler. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 4. Long contract duration suggests ongoing support needs for the aircraft fleet.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $99.4M for 2442 days of support is difficult to benchmark without specific unit cost data. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits price discovery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Boeing Company. This approach bypasses competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher prices than if multiple vendors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these critical parts.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the EA-18G Growler fleet. Supports a key component of naval aviation capabilities. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive pricing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Firm-fixed-price contract
  • Supports critical defense asset

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for such specialized components are highly variable and depend on technological complexity and production volume.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was awarded directly to a large prime contractor. Opportunities for small business subcontracting are not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns. Robust oversight is needed to track expenditures and validate the necessity of this procurement approach.

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 competition.
  • Potential for inflated pricing.
  • Long contract duration may obscure cost efficiencies.
  • Limited transparency on specific part costs.
  • No explicit small business participation noted.

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, mo, dca, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $993.8 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. TIME CRITICAL PARTS (TCP) IN SUPPORT OF EA-18G FRP (LOT 33) AEA KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $993.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-12-23. End: 2015-08-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without further documentation, it's unclear if alternatives were explored. However, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the best value, as competitive processes generally drive down prices and encourage innovation.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single supplier for these critical time-sensitive parts?

The primary risks include supply chain vulnerability, potential price gouging, and lack of innovation. If the sole supplier faces production issues, delays, or goes out of business, the EA-18G fleet's operational readiness could be severely impacted. Furthermore, without competitive pressure, the supplier may have less incentive to improve efficiency or offer cost reductions.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness and readiness of the EA-18G program?

This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational effectiveness and readiness of the EA-18G Growler, an electronic warfare aircraft vital for naval aviation. By ensuring the availability of Time Critical Parts (TCP) for AEA Kits, it directly supports the aircraft's mission capabilities, allowing it to perform its electronic attack and jamming functions reliably.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther 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

Solicitation ID: N0001908R0107

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JS MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,495,330,422

Exercised Options: $993,773,458

Current Obligation: $993,773,458

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-12-23

Current End Date: 2015-08-31

Potential End Date: 2015-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2015-07-20

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