DoD awards $31.8M for PBL Service Bell, with no competition, to Bell Textron Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,829,351 ($31.8M)

Contractor: Bell Textron Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2022-09-28

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $87.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 8508551219!PBL SERVICE BELL

Place of Performance

Location: FORT WORTH, TARRANT County, TEXAS, 76118

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.8 million to BELL TEXTRON INC for work described as: 8508551219!PBL SERVICE BELL Key points: 1. Significant contract value awarded without competition. 2. Sole-source award to incumbent contractor Bell Textron Inc. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Contract supports aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $31.8M for a 364-day duration appears high given the 'Other Aircraft Parts' NAICS code. Benchmarking against similar sole-source contracts for specialized aircraft components is necessary to assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Bell Textron Inc. This limits price discovery and may lead to less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being spent without the benefit of competitive pricing, potentially resulting in overpayment.

Public Impact

Defense spending on specialized aircraft parts continues. Reliance on sole-source contracts raises concerns about long-term cost-effectiveness. Transparency in sole-source justifications is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to incumbent

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for aircraft parts. Spending benchmarks for sole-source contracts in this niche area are difficult to establish without detailed cost breakdowns.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Bell Textron Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for the sole-source award is robust and that pricing is fair and reasonable, despite the lack of competition.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential for inflated pricing.
Limited transparency in price negotiation.
No small business participation evident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.8 million to BELL TEXTRON INC. 8508551219!PBL SERVICE BELL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BELL TEXTRON INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2022-09-28.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors such as unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or the need for compatibility with existing systems. Without specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason, but it likely relates to Bell Textron's established role in providing these specific aircraft parts or services.

What is the risk associated with awarding a $31.8M contract without competition?

The primary risk is paying a higher price than would be achieved through a competitive process. Without competing bids, the government lacks leverage to negotiate the best possible price, potentially leading to inefficient use of taxpayer funds and a lack of incentive for the contractor to minimize costs.

How effective is this contract likely to be in meeting the Department of Defense's needs?

The effectiveness hinges on Bell Textron's ability to deliver the required aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment as specified. Given it's a sole-source award to an established entity, the likelihood of meeting technical requirements is generally high, assuming past performance is satisfactory. However, cost-effectiveness remains a significant question mark.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other 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

Parent Company: Textron Inc

Address: 3255 BELL FLIGHT BLVD, FORT WORTH, TX, 76118

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: $31,829,351

Exercised Options: $31,829,351

Current Obligation: $31,829,351

Actual Outlays: $1,350,391

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPRPA120D9401

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline