Navy Aviation Spends $130M on H-1 Helicopter Parts in Year 2, Sole-Sourced from Bell Textron
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $129,611,688 ($129.6M)
Contractor: Bell Textron Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-01-01
End Date: 2021-12-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $356.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NAVY AVIATION - H-1 PBL YEAR 2 DELIVERY ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: RICHLAND HILLS, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76118
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $129.6 million to BELL TEXTRON INC for work described as: NAVY AVIATION - H-1 PBL YEAR 2 DELIVERY ORDER Key points: 1. Significant spending on aircraft parts highlights ongoing sustainment needs. 2. Sole-source award to Bell Textron raises questions about price competition. 3. Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers. 4. This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The total award of $129.6 million for one year of deliveries is substantial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar contracts for aviation parts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Bell Textron Inc. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these aircraft parts, as there was no market pressure to drive down prices.
Public Impact
Taxpayers fund critical aviation sustainment for the Navy. Dependence on a single supplier can create long-term cost vulnerabilities. The contract supports jobs in aircraft parts manufacturing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Navy aviation needs
- Contract awarded to established manufacturer
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining military readiness, but competitive procurement is key to cost efficiency.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded directly to Bell Textron Inc. and does not indicate any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific delivery order.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential waste. Further review of the justification for not competing is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of bidding.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
- Oversight needed to ensure fair pricing.
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $129.6 million to BELL TEXTRON INC. NAVY AVIATION - H-1 PBL YEAR 2 DELIVERY ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BELL TEXTRON 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 $129.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-01-01. End: 2021-12-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, such justifications might include proprietary technology, urgent need, or lack of alternative sources. A thorough review would require access to the contract's justification documentation to understand why competition was deemed impractical or impossible.
What is the historical cost trend for similar H-1 PBL parts from Bell Textron?
Without access to historical pricing data or a benchmark of similar contracts, it is impossible to determine the cost trend. Analyzing year-over-year price changes for the same parts, or comparing prices to those paid by other entities for comparable components, would be necessary to assess cost efficiency over time.
Are there plans to introduce competition for future H-1 PBL sustainment efforts?
The data does not specify future competition plans. Given the sole-source nature of this award, it is crucial for the Department of the Navy to explore options for fostering competition in subsequent contract actions to ensure better value and potentially lower costs for taxpayers.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Textron Inc
Address: 3255 BELL FLIGHT BLVD, FORT WORTH, TX, 76118
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: $129,611,688
Exercised Options: $129,611,688
Current Obligation: $129,611,688
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0038320DW201
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-01-01
Current End Date: 2021-12-31
Potential End Date: 2021-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-24
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