DoD awards $5.7M for aircraft parts to Fedtribe LLC under a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,695,577 ($5.7M)

Contractor: Fedtribe LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2026-06-30

End Date: 2026-06-30

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SPARE PARTS FOR THAILAND

Place of Performance

Location: BINGEN, KLICKITAT County, WASHINGTON, 98605

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $5.7 million to FEDTRIBE LLC for work described as: SPARE PARTS FOR THAILAND Key points: 1. Contract awarded without competition raises questions about potential overpayment and lack of market price discovery. 2. Sole-source award limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this defense supply chain segment. 3. The fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty, but the absence of competition hinders true value assessment. 4. Performance period aligns with potential future needs, but the lack of competitive pressure may impact long-term cost-effectiveness. 5. This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, characterized by specialized components.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bids, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing for these aircraft parts against market rates or similar contracts. The $5.7 million award for what appears to be spare parts suggests a significant investment. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost control, but the lack of competition means the government cannot be assured it received the best possible value. Further analysis would require understanding the specific parts, quantities, and any historical pricing data for these items.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Fedtribe LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. The lack of competition means the government did not benefit from the price discovery mechanisms inherent in a competitive environment, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids had been considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium for these aircraft parts due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, potentially increasing the overall cost to the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, which will receive the necessary aircraft parts. The services delivered involve the supply of spare parts crucial for maintaining the operational readiness of aircraft. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, where the parts will likely be manufactured or distributed, and potentially overseas where the aircraft are deployed. Workforce implications are likely concentrated within Fedtribe LLC and its supply chain, supporting jobs in manufacturing and logistics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in pricing due to no competitive bidding.
Potential for over-reliance on a single supplier for critical aircraft parts.
No clear indication of small business subcontracting goals or achievements.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the awarded amount.
Award supports the operational readiness of naval aircraft.
Contract duration extends to mid-2026, ensuring supply continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the "Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing" industry (NAICS 336413). This sector is a critical component of the broader aerospace and defense industry, characterized by specialized manufacturing processes, stringent quality control, and often long production lead times. Spending in this area is driven by military readiness requirements and the need to maintain aging aircraft fleets. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific parts, but the overall defense budget allocates significant resources to aircraft sustainment and parts.

Small Business Impact

The sole-source nature of this award means there was no opportunity for small businesses to compete directly for this contract. Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements or goals within the provided data. This limits the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific procurement, as opportunities for subcontracting are not mandated or detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates Fedtribe LLC to deliver the specified parts. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, as the justification for not competing is not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Aircraft Procurement
Naval Aviation Sustainment Programs
Aerospace Parts Manufacturing Contracts
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Spare Parts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Lack of competitive bidding may lead to inflated prices.
Limited transparency regarding contractor performance history.
No explicit small business subcontracting requirements noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $5.7 million to FEDTRIBE LLC. SPARE PARTS FOR THAILAND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEDTRIBE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-06-30. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Fedtribe LLC's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in supplying aircraft parts?

Information regarding Fedtribe LLC's specific track record with the Department of Defense for supplying aircraft parts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous DoD contracts. Understanding their experience with similar parts, delivery timelines, and quality control processes would be crucial for evaluating their capability and reliability in fulfilling this current award. Without this historical context, it's challenging to gauge their established performance level within the defense sector.

How does the $5.7 million award compare to typical spending for similar aircraft parts contracts within the DoD?

The provided data does not offer sufficient detail to compare the $5.7 million award to typical spending for similar aircraft parts contracts. Key missing information includes the specific types and quantities of parts being procured, as well as the contract's duration and scope. Without these specifics, it's impossible to benchmark this award against historical spending patterns or industry averages for comparable items. A meaningful comparison would necessitate identifying the National Stock Numbers (NSNs) or part numbers, understanding the unit costs, and examining the total value of similar sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for the same or equivalent components.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis include potential overpricing, reduced quality, and limited innovation. Without competition, Fedtribe LLC faces less pressure to offer the most cost-effective solution, potentially leading to higher prices for the taxpayer. The absence of multiple bidders also means the government cannot leverage competitive feedback to ensure the highest quality standards or explore alternative, potentially superior, product offerings. Furthermore, a sole-source award can foster complacency and reduce the incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency over time, as their market position for this specific procurement is guaranteed.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness of naval aircraft?

This contract is expected to positively impact the operational readiness of naval aircraft by ensuring the availability of necessary spare parts. The timely procurement of these parts, as stipulated by the contract's delivery order structure and end date of June 30, 2026, is critical for maintaining aircraft in operational status. Having these specific spare parts available allows maintenance crews to perform repairs and replacements efficiently, thereby minimizing aircraft downtime and maximizing the fleet's ability to execute its missions. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a commitment to delivering these essential components within a defined budget.

Are there any historical spending patterns with Fedtribe LLC or for these specific aircraft parts that indicate a trend?

The provided data does not contain historical spending patterns for Fedtribe LLC or for these specific aircraft parts. To identify such trends, one would need to access historical contract databases and search for previous awards to Fedtribe LLC, particularly within the Department of Defense and for similar product categories (NAICS 336413). Additionally, analyzing the procurement history of the specific parts in question, regardless of the contractor, would reveal patterns in quantity, frequency, and cost over time. Without this historical data, it is impossible to determine if this $5.7 million award represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels.

What is the justification for awarding this contract as sole-source instead of through full and open competition?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for awarding this contract as sole-source. Typically, sole-source awards are justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when there is a compelling urgency. Other justifications might include national security concerns or the need for compatibility with existing systems. Without the official justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to ascertain the precise rationale behind bypassing the competitive bidding process for this procurement.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1054 POCAHONTAS TRAIL, KING WILLIAM, VA, 23086

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,695,577

Exercised Options: $5,695,577

Current Obligation: $5,695,577

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0042124G0005

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline