DoD's $44.3M TRAPS Units Fabrication Contract with Leidos Faces Scrutiny for Lack of Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,268,739 ($44.3M)

Contractor: Leidos, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-12-07

End Date: 2020-03-07

Contract Duration: 1,186 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TRAPS UNITS FABRICATION (LOT 1)

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.3 million to LEIDOS, INC. for work described as: TRAPS UNITS FABRICATION (LOT 1) Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Leidos, Inc. for TRAPS Units Fabrication (Lot 1) totals $44.3 million. 2. Awarded by the Department of Defense, this contract falls under the Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing sector. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery and taxpayer value. 4. The duration of the contract was 1186 days, ending in March 2020.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark pricing against similar contracts to ensure fair value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for these TRAPS units.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense received specialized equipment, but the procurement process lacked transparency. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these TRAPS units.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract type
  • Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

  • Awarded to a known entity (Leidos, Inc.)
  • Contract fulfilled its purpose (implied)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense Industrial Base, specifically in the manufacturing of navigation and guidance systems. Spending in this sector is critical for national security but requires robust oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as both 'ss' and 'sb' are false. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a potential gap in oversight regarding the justification for a sole-source award. Further review of the procurement file would be necessary to assess accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition raises concerns about fair pricing.
  • Sole-source award may not represent best value.
  • Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
  • No indication of small business participation.
  • Potential for inadequate oversight on sole-source justification.

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.3 million to LEIDOS, INC.. TRAPS UNITS FABRICATION (LOT 1)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-07. End: 2020-03-07.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified by factors such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. A thorough review of the contract's procurement file would be required to understand the specific rationale and assess its validity.

How can the government ensure fair pricing when a contract is not competed?

When contracts are not competed, ensuring fair pricing relies heavily on robust cost analysis, independent government cost estimates, and negotiation expertise. The government must meticulously scrutinize the contractor's proposed costs, compare them to historical data or industry benchmarks, and leverage negotiation strategies to achieve a reasonable price. Transparency in the pricing structure is also crucial.

What is the potential impact of a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract type on overall project cost and effectiveness?

CPIF contracts aim to incentivize both the contractor and the government by sharing cost savings or overruns based on pre-negotiated targets. While this can encourage efficiency, it also carries the risk of cost escalation if targets are not well-defined or if the contractor prioritizes profit over optimal cost control. Effectiveness depends on clear performance metrics and diligent government oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0003916R0013

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc.

Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,648,482

Exercised Options: $50,376,232

Current Obligation: $44,268,739

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 37

Total Subaward Amount: $9,747,997

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-12-07

Current End Date: 2020-03-07

Potential End Date: 2020-03-07 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-09-14

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