DoD's $82.5M Boeing Contract for Aircraft Parts: Sole-Source Award Raises Oversight Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,518,301 ($82.5M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-04-09

End Date: 2021-12-09

Contract Duration: 609 days

Daily Burn Rate: $135.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 8507302835!PBL MATERIAL BOEING

Place of Performance

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

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $82.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: 8507302835!PBL MATERIAL BOEING Key points: 1. Awarded to The Boeing Company for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. 2. Sole-source award indicates limited competition, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. Contract duration of 609 days with a firm fixed price structure. 4. Significant spending within the Defense sector, specifically for aircraft parts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $82.5 million price represents optimal value compared to market rates for similar aircraft parts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these aircraft parts.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. Potential for reduced innovation and quality if suppliers lack competitive pressure. Dependence on a single supplier can create supply chain vulnerabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

  • Firm fixed price contract
  • Clear awardee

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector, a critical component of the defense industrial base. Spending in this area is substantial, and competitive procurement is generally preferred to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting missed opportunities for small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable. The Defense Logistics Agency should have robust justification for bypassing competitive procedures.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Logistics Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award bypasses competition.
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competitive pressure.
  • Limited transparency on the justification for sole-sourcing.
  • No apparent small business participation.

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, mo, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $82.5 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. 8507302835!PBL MATERIAL BOEING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $82.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-09. End: 2021-12-09.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason, but it necessitates rigorous review to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and serves the government's best interest.

How does the firm fixed price impact risk for both the government and the contractor in this sole-source scenario?

A firm fixed price (FFP) contract shifts most of the cost risk to the contractor. For the government, it provides budget certainty as the price is set. However, in a sole-source situation, the contractor may have less incentive to control costs if the initial price was not aggressively negotiated due to a lack of competition. This means the government bears the risk of paying a potentially inflated price.

What is the potential impact on future procurements if sole-source awards become a common practice for this type of aircraft part?

If sole-source awards become common for these aircraft parts, it could stifle competition in the long run, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation. Suppliers might anticipate sole-source awards and be less inclined to invest in cost-saving measures or new technologies. This could also discourage new entrants into the market, further concentrating supply.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment 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: 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: $82,518,301

Exercised Options: $82,518,301

Current Obligation: $82,518,301

Actual Outlays: $14,205,286

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 87

Total Subaward Amount: $8,026,681

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPRPA114D002U

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2020-04-09

Current End Date: 2021-12-09

Potential End Date: 2021-12-09 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-10-14

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