DoD Awards $61.6M for MK45 Mod-0 5.54 Gun Mounts, BAE Systems Selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,627,579 ($61.6M)

Contractor: BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 1996-11-04

End Date: 2011-07-27

Contract Duration: 5,378 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 199708!1700!0157!BZ005!NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0002496C5432 !A!*!P00007 !19961104!19970930!006481543!006481543!824825459!N!44114!UNITED DEFENSE !4800 E RIVER RD !MINNEAPOLIS !MN!55421!48000!111!21!LOUISVILLE !JEFFERSON !KENTUCKY !0001!+000000071288!Y!N!000000000000!1020!GUNS, OVER 125 MM THROUGH 150 MM !A5 !WEAPONS !2EBJ!MK45 MOD-O 5.54 GUN MOUNT !8711!3!*!*!C!B!B!*!D !N!U!1!001!N!7A!A!Y!Z!* !* !N!C!*!A!A!A!A!A!*!* !*!N!A!D!N!*!*!*!*!*!

Place of Performance

Location: LOUISVILLE, JEFFERSON County, KENTUCKY, 40214

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $61.6 million to BAE SYSTEMS LAND & ARMAMENTS L.P. for work described as: 199708!1700!0157!BZ005!NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0002496C5432 !A!*!P00007 !19961104!19970930!006481543!006481543!824825459!N!44114!UNITED DEFENSE !4800 E RIVER RD !MINNEAPOLIS !MN!55421!48000!111!21!LOUISVILLE !JEFFER… Key points: 1. Significant contract value for a specialized weapon system. 2. BAE Systems is a major defense contractor, indicating potential market concentration. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 4. Defense sector spending on large caliber weapon systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $61.6M for the MK45 Mod-0 5.54 Gun Mount is substantial. Without specific per-unit cost data or comparable contract benchmarks, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the nature of specialized military hardware often involves high unit costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning competition was not sought. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the lack of competitive bidding.

Public Impact

Taxpayers fund the development and procurement of advanced weaponry. The contract supports jobs within the defense manufacturing sector. This procurement contributes to the U.S. Navy's operational capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Potential for cost overruns in cost-plus contracts.
  • Long contract duration (over 5000 days) increases risk.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capabilities.
  • Contract awarded to a known, established defense contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for weapons systems. Spending on large caliber gun mounts is a niche but critical area for naval power projection. Benchmarks for such specialized equipment are difficult to establish publicly.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses in this contract. Large defense contracts are often dominated by prime contractors, with small business involvement typically occurring at the subcontracting level.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Naval Sea Systems Command, part of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve contract administration by the Defense Contract Management Agency to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award.
  • Cost-plus contract type.
  • Long contract duration.
  • Lack of small business participation noted.
  • No clear per-unit cost benchmark available.

Tags

department-of-defense, ky, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $61.6 million to BAE SYSTEMS LAND & ARMAMENTS L.P.. 199708!1700!0157!BZ005!NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0002496C5432 !A!*!P00007 !19961104!19970930!006481543!006481543!824825459!N!44114!UNITED DEFENSE !4800 E RIVER RD !MINNEAPOLIS !MN!55421!48000!111!21!LOUISVILLE !JEFFERSON !KENTUCKY !0001!+000000071288!Y!N!000000000000!1020!GUNS, OVER 125 MM THROUGH 150 MM !A5 !WEAPONS !2EBJ!MK45 MOD-O 5.54 GUN MOUNT !8711!3!*!*!C!B!B!*!D !N!U!1!0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS LAND & ARMAMENTS L.P..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1996-11-04. End: 2011-07-27.

What is the total lifecycle cost of the MK45 Mod-0 5.54 Gun Mount system, including sustainment and upgrades?

The provided data only covers the initial procurement cost of $61.6 million for the gun mounts. The total lifecycle cost, encompassing research, development, production, sustainment, upgrades, and eventual disposal, is not detailed here. Such costs can significantly exceed the initial acquisition price for complex military hardware.

What specific justifications were provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. Specific justifications for sole-source awards typically involve unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further documentation, the precise reasons for bypassing full and open competition remain unclear.

How does the unit cost of this gun mount compare to similar systems procured competitively?

A direct comparison is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award and the lack of specific unit cost breakdowns. Competitive procurements generally yield lower prices. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract type also introduces variability that makes direct comparison difficult without detailed cost data.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: BAE Systems PLC (UEI: 217304393)

Address: 4800 E RIVER RD, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $163,680,516

Exercised Options: $163,013,339

Current Obligation: $61,627,579

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 1996-11-04

Current End Date: 2011-07-27

Potential End Date: 2011-07-27 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2010-07-29

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