DoD awards $32.5M for aircraft engine parts to General Electric, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,488,856 ($32.5M)

Contractor: General Electric Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-12-15

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 381 days

Daily Burn Rate: $85.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 8509587869!PBL MATERIAL GE

Place of Performance

Location: LYNN, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01905

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $32.5 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY for work described as: 8509587869!PBL MATERIAL GE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Electric for aircraft engine parts. 2. Significant value of $32.5 million. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition. 4. Sector is Defense Logistics Agency, specifically aircraft engine manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $32.5 million for aircraft engine parts appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the components. However, without competitive bids, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, General Electric, was solicited. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these critical aircraft engine parts.

Public Impact

Military readiness may be impacted if parts are not procured at the best possible value. Taxpayers are potentially overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The defense sector relies on specialized parts, making sole-source awards a recurring concern.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpayment

Positive Signals

  • Essential for aircraft maintenance
  • Awarded to a known manufacturer

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically supporting the manufacturing of aircraft engines and parts. Spending in this area is critical for military operations but often involves specialized, high-cost components.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded directly to General Electric and does not indicate any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The sole-source nature further limits the potential for small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, and that future procurements explore competitive options where feasible.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Logistics Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Potential for inflated pricing.
  • Lack of transparency in price justification.
  • Limited opportunity for small business participation.

Tags

aircraft-engine-and-engine-parts-manufac, department-of-defense, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $32.5 million to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. 8509587869!PBL MATERIAL GE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-15. End: 2023-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs that only one vendor can meet. Agencies must document these reasons thoroughly. For this contract, it's crucial to understand if alternatives like competitive prototyping or phased procurements were explored before resorting to a sole-source decision to ensure taxpayer value.

How does the unit cost compare to historical data or industry benchmarks for similar aircraft engine parts?

Without specific part numbers and detailed specifications, a precise unit cost comparison is challenging. However, given the sole-source nature, it is imperative for the Department of Defense to conduct internal benchmarking against previous similar awards or available industry data. Any significant deviation from historical pricing should trigger a deeper review to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring competitive pricing for these critical aircraft engine parts?

The long-term strategy should focus on breaking down complex procurements into smaller, more competitive lots, fostering new entrants into the market, and investing in technology that reduces reliance on single suppliers. For General Electric's parts, exploring options for second-sourcing, encouraging innovation in alternative materials, or developing standardized components could mitigate future sole-source risks and ensure better pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 WESTERN AVE, LYNN, MA, 01905

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: $32,488,856

Exercised Options: $32,488,856

Current Obligation: $32,488,856

Actual Outlays: $21,789,925

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $29,380,141

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPE4AX19D9400

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-12-15

Current End Date: 2023-12-31

Potential End Date: 2023-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-08-24

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