DoD Awards $97.4M for LAIRCM-LSPR Kits and Installations, No Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $97,367,521 ($97.4M)

Contractor: Bell Boeing Joint Project Office

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-09-26

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,926 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LAIRCM-LSPR EFFORT FOR KITS, INSTALLS AND NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING (NRE).

Place of Performance

Location: AMARILLO, POTTER County, TEXAS, 79111

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $97.4 million to BELL BOEING JOINT PROJECT OFFICE for work described as: LAIRCM-LSPR EFFORT FOR KITS, INSTALLS AND NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING (NRE). Key points: 1. Significant contract value for aircraft defense systems. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price contract without competition. 4. Focus on specialized aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $97.4M for LAIRCM-LSPR kits and installations is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar defense system procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

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

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this large contract could result in taxpayers paying a premium for the LAIRCM-LSPR systems and associated services.

Public Impact

Enhances survivability of critical aircraft platforms. Supports advanced threat detection and countermeasures. Ensures readiness of naval aviation assets.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for cost creep
  • Sole-source award

Positive Signals

  • Critical defense system
  • Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. Spending in this area is critical for national security, but competitive procurement is essential to manage costs effectively.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses. Given the specialized nature of the LAIRCM-LSPR system, it is unlikely that small businesses were significantly involved in this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy awarded this contract. Oversight will be crucial to ensure proper execution and cost control, especially given the non-competitive nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing
  • Limited transparency
  • Sole-source justification unclear

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $97.4 million to BELL BOEING JOINT PROJECT OFFICE. LAIRCM-LSPR EFFORT FOR KITS, INSTALLS AND NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING (NRE).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BELL BOEING JOINT PROJECT OFFICE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $97.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-26. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the justification for not competing this significant contract for critical aircraft defense systems?

The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Further investigation would be required to understand the specific rationale behind this decision.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude for defense systems?

A sole-source award of this magnitude carries risks of inflated pricing due to the absence of competitive pressure. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and potentially less stringent quality control compared to a competed contract. Ensuring robust oversight and fair pricing mechanisms becomes paramount.

How does the lack of competition impact the overall value for taxpayer money in this procurement?

The lack of competition significantly diminishes the potential value for taxpayer money. Without competing offers, the government may not achieve the lowest possible price, potentially leading to overspending. This underscores the importance of competitive contracting for maximizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0001918R0230

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 TILTROTOR DR PLANT A, AMARILLO, TX, 79111

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $127,942,138

Exercised Options: $98,216,708

Current Obligation: $97,367,521

Actual Outlays: $2,093,859

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 50

Total Subaward Amount: $8,070,702

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001917G0002

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-09-26

Current End Date: 2026-09-30

Potential End Date: 2027-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-01

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