DoD's $801M Advance Planning Contract for Ship Defueling Awarded to Huntington Ingalls Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $801,147,554 ($801.1M)

Contractor: Huntington Ingalls Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-08-01

End Date: 2017-09-01

Contract Duration: 1,127 days

Daily Burn Rate: $710.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PY1 RCOH DEFUELING ADVANCE PLANNING

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT NEWS, NEWPORT NEWS CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23607

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $801.1 million to HUNTINGTON INGALLS INC for work described as: PY1 RCOH DEFUELING ADVANCE PLANNING Key points: 1. Significant contract value of over $800 million for advance planning. 2. Sole-source award to Huntington Ingalls Inc. raises questions about competition. 3. Contract duration of 1127 days suggests a complex and lengthy project. 4. The 'Ship Building and Repairing' sector is a critical area for defense spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $801M for advance planning is substantial. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but the scale suggests a high cost. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Huntington Ingalls Inc. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this large contract may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had vied for the work.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration of the contract could indicate potential for scope creep or delays. The strategic importance of naval ship defueling means this spending is essential, but efficiency is key.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
  • Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

  • Contract supports critical national defense infrastructure.
  • Awardee is a major player in shipbuilding and repair.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Ship Building and Repairing sector, a vital but often high-cost area for the Department of Defense. Spending in this sector is heavily influenced by defense budgets and geopolitical factors.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Huntington Ingalls Inc., is a large corporation, and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract. This sole-source award likely bypassed opportunities for small businesses to compete.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and efficient execution. The Department of the Navy must ensure robust monitoring of costs and performance.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
  • High contract value for planning phase
  • Long contract duration

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $801.1 million to HUNTINGTON INGALLS INC. PY1 RCOH DEFUELING ADVANCE PLANNING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HUNTINGTON INGALLS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $801.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-08-01. End: 2017-09-01.

What specific advance planning activities are covered under this $801M contract, and how do they justify the significant cost?

The contract details for 'PY1 RCOH DEFUELING ADVANCE PLANNING' are not fully specified in the provided data. However, advance planning for complex operations like ship defueling typically involves extensive technical assessments, environmental impact studies, logistical planning, and risk mitigation strategies. The high cost likely reflects the specialized expertise, long duration, and critical nature of preparing for the defueling of naval vessels.

Given the sole-source award, what mechanisms are in place to ensure Huntington Ingalls Inc. is not overcharging for these advance planning services?

With a sole-source award, oversight is crucial. The Department of the Navy should employ stringent cost-reimbursement controls, detailed performance metrics, and regular audits to monitor expenditures. Independent cost analysis and comparison with industry benchmarks for similar planning activities, where available, can help validate the reasonableness of the costs incurred by Huntington Ingalls Inc.

How will the success of this advance planning contract be measured, and what is its direct impact on the effectiveness of future defueling operations?

The success of this advance planning contract will be measured by the thoroughness and accuracy of the plans developed, adherence to schedule, and the identification and mitigation of potential risks. Effective advance planning should directly lead to smoother, safer, and more cost-efficient defueling operations, minimizing unforeseen issues and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingShip and Boat BuildingShip Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0002413R2111

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc

Address: 4101 WASHINGTON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23607

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $832,273,711

Exercised Options: $832,273,711

Current Obligation: $801,147,554

Actual Outlays: $1,658,809

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3554

Total Subaward Amount: $495,361,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-08-01

Current End Date: 2017-09-01

Potential End Date: 2017-09-01 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-19

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