DoD's $153M Ship Repair Contract with Metro Machine Corp Faces Scrutiny Over Cost Sharing and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $153,281,135 ($153.3M)

Contractor: Metro Machine Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-08-10

End Date: 2023-03-17

Contract Duration: 584 days

Daily Burn Rate: $262.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST SHARING

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SHIP REPAIR

Place of Performance

Location: BREMERTON, KITSAP County, WASHINGTON, 98314

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $153.3 million to METRO MACHINE CORP for work described as: SHIP REPAIR Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Metro Machine Corp for ship repair totals over $153 million. 2. Competition was full and open, but the cost-sharing arrangement warrants further examination. 3. Potential risks include cost overruns due to the cost-sharing model and the duration of the contract. 4. The sector is critical for national defense, with significant taxpayer investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's cost-sharing model (PT) makes direct pricing assessment difficult without further detail on cost breakdowns and profit margins. Benchmarking is challenging due to the variable nature of ship repair.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the cost-sharing arrangement may obscure the true final cost to the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The cost-sharing model introduces uncertainty in the final taxpayer burden, potentially leading to higher costs than a fixed-price contract if costs escalate.

Public Impact

Naval readiness and fleet maintenance are directly impacted by this significant repair contract. Taxpayer funds are allocated for essential defense infrastructure, highlighting the need for cost efficiency. The duration of the contract (584 days) suggests complex or extensive repair work is involved.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost-sharing model introduces uncertainty
  • Long contract duration
  • Potential for cost escalation

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized
  • Awarded by Department of the Navy

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the shipbuilding and repairing sector, a critical component of national defense. Spending in this area is substantial and directly tied to maintaining naval assets.

Small Business Impact

Analysis does not indicate specific involvement or benefit to small businesses in this particular contract award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's cost-sharing structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs are managed effectively and that the government receives fair value for its investment.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Cost-sharing model lacks transparency
  • Extended contract duration increases risk
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Complexity of ship repair services

Tags

ship-building-and-repairing, department-of-defense, wa, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $153.3 million to METRO MACHINE CORP. SHIP REPAIR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METRO MACHINE CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $153.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-10. End: 2023-03-17.

What specific cost-sharing mechanisms are in place, and how do they ensure value for the taxpayer?

The contract utilizes a 'Cost Sharing' (PT) model. This implies that both the government and the contractor bear a portion of the project costs. Detailed breakdowns of the cost-sharing percentages and the rationale behind them are crucial for assessing value. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the government is adequately protected against cost overruns or if the contractor has sufficient incentive to control expenses.

Given the 584-day duration, what are the primary risks associated with potential cost escalations?

The extended duration of 584 days significantly increases the risk of cost escalations due to factors like inflation, unforeseen technical challenges, or changes in material costs. The cost-sharing model, while potentially encouraging efficiency, can also lead to higher final costs if not meticulously managed and overseen. Robust change order management and continuous cost monitoring are essential to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'full and open competition' translate into effective price discovery for complex ship repair services?

While 'full and open competition' is a strong indicator of a competitive bidding process, the nature of ship repair, with its inherent complexities and potential for emergent issues, can still make precise price discovery challenging. The effectiveness relies on the clarity of the initial bid requirements and the government's ability to evaluate bids comprehensively, considering not just the initial price but also the contractor's technical approach and risk mitigation strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingShip and Boat BuildingShip Building and Repairing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENTNON-NUCLEAR SHIP REPAIR

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N0002418R4300

Pricing Type: COST SHARING (T)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wico Limited

Address: 423 PACIFIC AVE STE 200, BREMERTON, WA, 98337

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $153,281,135

Exercised Options: $153,281,135

Current Obligation: $153,281,135

Actual Outlays: $142,865,302

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $175,876

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0002419D4310

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-08-10

Current End Date: 2023-03-17

Potential End Date: 2023-03-17 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-05-23

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