DoD Awards $8.28M for V-22 Production Line Shutdown Analysis, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,277,072 ($8.3M)

Contractor: Bell Boeing Joint Project Office

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-28

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 915 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING FOR ANALYSIS OF V-22 PRODUCTION LINE SHUTDOWN

Place of Performance

Location: AMARILLO, POTTER County, TEXAS, 79111

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.3 million to BELL BOEING JOINT PROJECT OFFICE for work described as: NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING FOR ANALYSIS OF V-22 PRODUCTION LINE SHUTDOWN Key points: 1. Significant investment in analyzing production line shutdown for a major defense asset. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and potential cost overruns. 3. High risk associated with complex engineering analysis and potential for schedule delays. 4. Spending falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not carefully managed. Benchmarking against similar non-recurring engineering contracts for major defense platforms is difficult due to the unique nature of production line shutdown analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. Without competition, there is a reduced incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, and the government has limited leverage to negotiate favorable terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for this critical analysis, potentially diverting funds from other defense priorities.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may bear higher costs due to the absence of competitive bidding. The analysis is crucial for future defense program planning and cost estimation. Potential for delays in the analysis could impact future V-22 program decisions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Potential for schedule overruns

Positive Signals

  • Essential analysis for future defense planning
  • Experienced contractor likely involved

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this niche area can be highly variable, dependent on specific program needs and lifecycle stages, making broad benchmarks challenging.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small business participation in this contract. Given the specialized nature of the work and the sole-source award, it is unlikely that small businesses were significantly involved.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is the awarding agency. Oversight will be critical to ensure the cost-plus fixed fee contract is managed effectively and the analysis meets its objectives within the allocated budget and timeline.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Schedule risk
  • Lack of defined performance metrics

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.3 million to BELL BOEING JOINT PROJECT OFFICE. NON-RECURRING ENGINEERING FOR ANALYSIS OF V-22 PRODUCTION LINE SHUTDOWN

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 $8.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-28. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the estimated cost savings or efficiency gain expected from this analysis?

The provided data does not specify the expected outcomes or quantifiable benefits of the non-recurring engineering analysis. Typically, such analyses aim to identify cost-saving measures, optimize future production processes, or inform strategic decisions regarding program continuation or termination. Without this information, the value proposition remains unclear.

What are the specific risks associated with analyzing a production line shutdown for the V-22?

Risks include the complexity of dismantling a major aerospace production line, potential for unforeseen technical challenges, inaccurate cost estimations for the shutdown process, and the possibility of schedule delays impacting future program decisions. The analysis must accurately capture all associated costs and logistical hurdles.

How will the effectiveness of this analysis be measured?

Effectiveness will likely be measured by the completeness and accuracy of the final report, its adherence to the defined scope of work, and its utility in informing subsequent decisions regarding the V-22 program. Timeliness of delivery and the identification of actionable insights for cost reduction or process improvement will also be key metrics.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 401 TILTROTOR DR, 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: $8,277,072

Exercised Options: $8,277,072

Current Obligation: $8,277,072

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001922G0002

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-09-28

Current End Date: 2026-03-31

Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-17

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