Boeing Awarded $13.5M for Navy Production Engineering FOT&E, No Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,467,753 ($13.5M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-11-29

End Date: 2019-12-01

Contract Duration: 367 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PRODUCTION ENGINEERING FOT&E PERIOD 18

Place of Performance

Location: PATUXENT RIVER, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20670

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: PRODUCTION ENGINEERING FOT&E PERIOD 18 Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized engineering services. 2. Sole-source award to Boeing raises questions about competition. 3. Potential risk associated with single-vendor reliance for critical engineering. 4. Aircraft manufacturing sector context for this specialized support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $13.5M for an 18-month period is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to potential market rates for similar specialized engineering services.

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 limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost than if multiple vendors had vied for the work.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being expended without the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially leading to a less efficient use of resources.

Public Impact

Specialized engineering support for naval aircraft production. Potential impact on future defense procurement strategies. Ensuring technological advancement in aircraft manufacturing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical production engineering
  • Established contractor with relevant expertise

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aircraft manufacturing sector, a high-value and technologically intensive industry. Spending benchmarks for specialized engineering support can vary widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is The Boeing Company, a large aerospace corporation. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific sole-source contract, nor is it likely given the nature of the award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for cost-plus fixed-fee contracts, especially sole-source awards, to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the contractor is meeting performance objectives effectively.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Limited transparency in pricing

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. PRODUCTION ENGINEERING FOT&E PERIOD 18

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 $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-29. End: 2019-12-01.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further documentation, it's unclear why this contract was not competed. Agencies should explore competitive options whenever possible to ensure best value and taxpayer savings.

How does the cost-plus fixed-fee structure impact the contractor's incentive to control costs on this project?

Cost-plus fixed-fee contracts provide the contractor with reimbursement for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fee is fixed, the contractor is incentivized to manage costs to maximize profit. However, the government bears the risk of cost overruns, making robust oversight essential.

What are the long-term implications of relying on a single vendor for critical production engineering functions?

Long-term reliance on a single vendor can lead to a loss of institutional knowledge within the government, reduced bargaining power, and potential supply chain vulnerabilities. It also limits opportunities for innovation and competition from other qualified firms in the future.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENTMODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

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

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,883,219

Exercised Options: $13,883,219

Current Obligation: $13,467,753

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $873,676

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001916G0001

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-11-29

Current End Date: 2019-12-01

Potential End Date: 2019-12-01 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-23

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