DoD Awards $223.7M Contract to Lockheed Martin for Aircraft Manufacturing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $223,703,473 ($223.7M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-03-27

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,740 days

Daily Burn Rate: $128.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LANCE 23-27

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76108

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $223.7 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: LANCE 23-27 Key points: 1. Significant contract value for aircraft manufacturing services. 2. Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities. 3. Long-term duration (2027) suggests a sustained need. 4. Fixed Price Incentive contract type aims to balance cost and performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is not available for assessment against similar contracts. The fixed-price incentive structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but without benchmarks, its effectiveness is unclear.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government is achieving the best possible value for taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration could lock in current pricing structures, potentially missing out on future cost efficiencies. Dependence on a single contractor for critical aircraft manufacturing needs could pose supply chain risks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of pricing data
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Fixed Price Incentive contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, which is a critical component of the defense industry. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high R&D costs and long production cycles.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This award appears to bypass opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Lockheed Martin meets performance requirements and that the incentive structure effectively controls costs. Transparency in reporting is essential.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • No pricing data available
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Limited small business participation
  • Long-term contractor dependency

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $223.7 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. LANCE 23-27

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $223.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-27. End: 2027-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or urgent needs that only one contractor can meet. Without specific details, it's difficult to assess the validity of this claim. Fair and reasonable pricing in sole-source contracts often relies on historical data, cost analysis, and negotiation, but the absence of public benchmarks makes independent verification challenging.

How does the fixed-price incentive structure compare to industry standards for similar aircraft manufacturing contracts?

Fixed-price incentive contracts aim to share cost savings or overruns between the government and the contractor based on achieving target costs. Without access to the specific target cost, ceiling price, and share ratio, a direct comparison to industry standards is impossible. The effectiveness hinges on realistic target setting and robust government oversight of contractor performance and cost reporting.

What are the potential long-term risks associated with a sole-source, multi-year contract for aircraft manufacturing?

Long-term risks include potential cost escalation beyond initial projections, reduced innovation due to lack of competition, and contractor lock-in. If the contractor faces production issues or significant cost increases, the government may have limited recourse. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vulnerabilities in the supply chain and hinder the adoption of new technologies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 1 LOCKHEED BLVD BLDG 10, FORT WORTH, TX, 76108

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: $234,445,481

Exercised Options: $224,589,085

Current Obligation: $223,703,473

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001919G0008

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-03-27

Current End Date: 2027-12-31

Potential End Date: 2027-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-23

More Contracts from Lockheed Martin Corporation

View all Lockheed Martin Corporation federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending