DoD awards $27M for F-15S Engine Kits to Boeing, raising concerns about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,952,136 ($27.0M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-03-07

End Date: 2011-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,088 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: F-15S ENGINE KITS

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: F-15S ENGINE KITS Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized aircraft components. 2. Sole-source award to a single, established prime contractor. 3. Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Long-term sustainment of critical military assets.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The $26.95 million award for F-15S engine kits lacks a clear benchmark for comparison. Without competitive pricing, it's difficult to assess if the price paid represents fair market value for these specialized components.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Boeing Company. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no opportunity for other vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may have paid a premium for these engine kits, as there was no market pressure to drive down costs.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the F-15S fleet. Supports critical maintenance and repair capabilities for advanced aircraft. Impacts the long-term sustainment strategy for a key defense asset.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capability
  • Awarded to established prime contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, specifically related to aerospace and defense manufacturing. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high technical complexity and significant R&D investment, with a tendency towards sole-source or limited competition for specialized components.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded directly to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting potential missed opportunities for SMBs in the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the government received fair value. Future contract actions should explore competitive strategies to enhance accountability and cost-effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

  • Engineering Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks transparency.
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
  • Limited visibility into cost drivers.
  • Long contract duration without competitive review.

Tags

engineering-services, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. F-15S ENGINE KITS

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 Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-07. End: 2011-02-28.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative sourcing strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. For this F-15S engine kit contract, the specific rationale needs to be documented by the Department of the Air Force. It's crucial to understand if market research was conducted to identify potential competitors or if the nature of the engine kits inherently limited the supplier pool.

How does the pricing of these F-15S engine kits compare to similar components or previous procurements, considering the lack of competition?

Without competitive bids, direct price comparison is challenging. However, an analysis could involve benchmarking against historical pricing for the same or similar engine kits, factoring in inflation and any technical modifications. Additionally, comparing the unit cost to industry averages for comparable aerospace components, adjusted for complexity and scale, could provide insights into potential cost deviations.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring F-15S engine kits, and will future procurements involve competitive bidding to ensure cost efficiency?

The long-term strategy for procuring these critical engine kits is essential for maintaining the F-15S fleet's operational readiness. Future procurements should prioritize competitive bidding processes whenever feasible. This not only drives down costs but also fosters innovation and ensures a more resilient supply chain, ultimately benefiting taxpayer investment in defense capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

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: 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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,400,053

Exercised Options: $27,400,053

Current Obligation: $26,952,136

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F3365701D0026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-03-07

Current End Date: 2011-02-28

Potential End Date: 2011-02-28 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2019-11-14

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