DoD Awards $52.2M for Main Rotor Blades, Sole-Sourced to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,214,040 ($52.2M)

Contractor: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-06

End Date: 2025-04-10

Contract Duration: 947 days

Daily Burn Rate: $55.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NOUN: BLADE, MAIN ROTOR NSN: 1615-01-106-1903 PN: 70150-09100-043

Place of Performance

Location: STRATFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06614

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $52.2 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION for work described as: NOUN: BLADE, MAIN ROTOR NSN: 1615-01-106-1903 PN: 70150-09100-043 Key points: 1. Significant contract value for critical aircraft components. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Long contract duration (947 days) may indicate complex supply chain or production needs. 4. Focus on 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $52.2M for main rotor blades is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to market rates for similar components from other manufacturers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to reduce prices.

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

Public Impact

Ensures continued availability of critical helicopter components for Department of Defense operations. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source procurement impacts overall defense budget allocation. Supports a key defense contractor, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, and its manufacturing operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • High contract value

Positive Signals

  • Ensures supply of critical parts
  • Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining military aviation readiness. Benchmarks for similar sole-source contracts are difficult to establish without competitive data.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses in this sole-source contract. The award is directly to a large prime contractor, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the government received fair value. Documentation justifying the sole-source justification should be reviewed for compliance.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks competition
  • Potential for inflated pricing
  • Limited transparency in price justification
  • Long contract duration may mask inefficiencies

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $52.2 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. NOUN: BLADE, MAIN ROTOR NSN: 1615-01-106-1903 PN: 70150-09100-043

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $52.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-06. End: 2025-04-10.

What is the justification for the sole-source award of this significant contract for main rotor blades?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors such as unique technical capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without access to the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to determine the precise reasons Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation was the only viable option for these main rotor blades.

How does the $52.2M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar main rotor blade procurements, especially considering it's a sole-source award?

Direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging for sole-source contracts due to the absence of competitive pricing. While $52.2M is a substantial sum, its 'fairness' can only be assessed against historical data for similar sole-source awards or through detailed cost analysis by the procuring agency. The lack of competition inherently removes market-driven price validation.

What is the potential impact on long-term helicopter maintenance and operational readiness given this sole-source procurement strategy?

A sole-source strategy for critical components like main rotor blades can ensure a consistent and reliable supply chain, which is vital for operational readiness. However, over-reliance on a single source without competitive pressure might lead to escalating costs in the future and potentially limit the government's flexibility if alternative suppliers or technologies emerge.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 6900 MAIN ST, STRATFORD, CT, 06614

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,214,040

Exercised Options: $52,214,040

Current Obligation: $52,214,040

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $20,490,096

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPE4AX15D9423

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-09-06

Current End Date: 2025-04-10

Potential End Date: 2025-04-10 12:04:00

Last Modified: 2023-06-09

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