Navy Awards $662M Ship Availability Contract to Bath Iron Works

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $662,371,899 ($662.4M)

Contractor: Bath Iron Works Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-06-18

End Date: 2018-06-17

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $302.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SHIP/AVAILABILITY PRODUCT WORK- SEV

Place of Performance

Location: BATH, SAGADAHOC County, MAINE, 04530

State: Maine Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $662.4 million to BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION for work described as: SHIP/AVAILABILITY PRODUCT WORK- SEV Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established shipyard, indicating potential for specialized capabilities. 2. Significant contract value suggests a substantial investment in naval readiness. 3. Lack of competition raises questions about price discovery and potential cost efficiencies. 4. The sector is critical for national defense, with high barriers to entry.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed closely. Benchmarking against similar ship maintenance contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, likely due to the specialized nature of the work or the existing relationship with the contractor. The absence of competition limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed without the benefit of competitive bidding, potentially leading to a less optimal price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of naval vessels. Supports jobs and economic activity in the shipbuilding sector. Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source nature.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Long duration

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense infrastructure
  • Established contractor with known capabilities

Sector Analysis

The shipbuilding and repair sector is highly specialized and capital-intensive, often dominated by a few large firms. This contract falls within the defense sector, where availability and readiness are paramount.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to a large corporation and does not appear to include specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would focus on ensuring Bath Iron Works meets performance metrics to earn award fees and manages costs effectively under the cost-plus structure.

Related Government Programs

  • Ship Building and Repairing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
  • Cost-plus contract type introduces cost uncertainty.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to changing economic conditions.
  • Potential for contractor performance issues impacting vessel availability.

Tags

ship-building-and-repairing, department-of-defense, me, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $662.4 million to BATH IRON WORKS CORPORATION. SHIP/AVAILABILITY PRODUCT WORK- SEV

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATH IRON WORKS 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 $662.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-06-18. End: 2018-06-17.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically relates to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the unavailability of other sources. For this contract, the Navy likely determined that Bath Iron Works possessed the specific expertise, facilities, or existing knowledge of the vessels required for their availability. Alternative competitive strategies may have been explored but deemed impractical or less effective given the specific requirements.

How does the cost-plus award fee structure impact overall cost efficiency compared to fixed-price contracts?

Cost-plus award fee contracts allow the contractor to recover allowable costs plus a fee that includes a base amount and an award amount based on performance. While this can incentivize meeting or exceeding performance targets, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government bears the cost risk. Effective oversight is crucial to manage costs and ensure the award fee is justified.

What are the long-term implications of awarding such a significant contract without competition on market dynamics?

Awarding significant contracts without competition can reinforce the dominance of incumbent firms, potentially stifling innovation and competition in the long run. It may discourage new entrants and reduce the overall competitive landscape. Over time, this can lead to higher prices and less pressure on contractors to improve efficiency or develop new technologies, impacting the government's ability to secure the best value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingShip and Boat BuildingShip Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENTMODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0002410R4311

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 700 WASHINGTON ST, BATH, ME, 04530

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: $728,053,063

Exercised Options: $728,053,063

Current Obligation: $662,371,899

Actual Outlays: $523,886

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2012-06-18

Current End Date: 2018-06-17

Potential End Date: 2018-06-17 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-07-02

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