Navy Awards Boeing $39M for P-8A Aircraft Maintenance Capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,960,406 ($39.0M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-09-29

End Date: 2022-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,613 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: P-8A SMS FTE DEPOT AND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MAINTENANCE CAPABILITIES

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS County, MISSOURI, 63134

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $39.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: P-8A SMS FTE DEPOT AND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MAINTENANCE CAPABILITIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The Boeing Company for P-8A Poseidon aircraft maintenance. 2. Sole-source award indicates limited competition for these specialized services. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for depot and intermediate maintenance. 4. Spending on this contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $39 million for a duration of over 4 years appears reasonable for specialized aircraft maintenance. Benchmarking against similar depot-level maintenance contracts for complex military aircraft would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award to Boeing, likely due to proprietary knowledge or unique capabilities related to the P-8A platform. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract. Effective negotiation and oversight are crucial to mitigate this impact.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. Supports critical defense capabilities for the U.S. Navy. Maintains specialized maintenance expertise for a key military asset.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
  • Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

  • Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
  • Supports a critical national defense asset.
  • Awarded to the original equipment manufacturer, ensuring specialized knowledge.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft maintenance. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized maintenance services are difficult to ascertain without more detailed contract data, but this represents a significant investment in a key platform.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses on this contract. Given the specialized nature of depot-level maintenance for advanced aircraft, it is common for prime contractors to perform the work directly or through their own facilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is responsible for oversight of this contract. Robust performance monitoring and financial controls are essential to ensure the contractor meets all requirements and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Related Government Programs

  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of small business participation
  • Potential for cost creep over contract duration
  • Dependency on a single contractor for critical maintenance

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $39.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. P-8A SMS FTE DEPOT AND INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MAINTENANCE CAPABILITIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $39.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-29. End: 2022-02-28.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps are taken to ensure fair pricing without competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from the unique capabilities, proprietary data, or specialized knowledge held by the incumbent contractor, in this case, Boeing, for the P-8A aircraft. To ensure fair pricing, the Navy likely relies on mechanisms such as cost analysis, historical pricing data, and potentially independent government cost estimates. Regular audits and performance reviews are also critical to verify the necessity and reasonableness of costs incurred.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term, sole-source maintenance contract for critical military assets?

Long-term, sole-source contracts for critical assets like the P-8A pose risks of escalating costs due to a lack of competitive pressure, potential for contractor complacency, and vendor lock-in. There's also a risk that technological advancements or alternative solutions might be overlooked. Furthermore, if the contractor faces financial instability or operational issues, it could directly impact the availability and readiness of the military asset.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness and readiness of the P-8A fleet?

This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational effectiveness and readiness of the P-8A fleet by ensuring that depot and intermediate-level maintenance capabilities are consistently available. These services are essential for complex repairs, overhauls, and upgrades that keep the aircraft mission-capable. Without this dedicated support, the Navy's ability to conduct maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions would be significantly hampered.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N6883615R0004

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6200 JS MCDONNELL BLVD, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63134

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: $38,960,406

Exercised Options: $38,960,406

Current Obligation: $38,960,406

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $18,807,439

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2017-09-29

Current End Date: 2022-02-28

Potential End Date: 2022-02-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-01-18

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