DoD Spends $43M on Track Shoe Sets via Sole Source Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,088,718 ($43.1M)

Contractor: Contitech USA, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-12-18

End Date: 2011-05-31

Contract Duration: 529 days

Daily Burn Rate: $81.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TRACK SHOE SET,T-161

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRLAWN, SUMMIT County, OHIO, 44333

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $43.1 million to CONTITECH USA, INC for work described as: TRACK SHOE SET,T-161 Key points: 1. Significant expenditure on a specialized military component. 2. Sole-source procurement limits competitive pricing and innovation. 3. High cost raises questions about value for taxpayer money. 4. Sector is critical for armored vehicle maintenance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of $43,088,717.76 for track shoe sets appears high, especially given the 'NOT COMPETED' status. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price reflects fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method bypasses the typical price discovery mechanisms found in competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive process, impacting taxpayer funds negatively.

Public Impact

Essential for maintaining operational readiness of armored vehicles. Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs for military equipment. Potential for limited availability or higher prices in future procurements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

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

Positive Signals

  • Essential military component

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing sector. Spending in this niche area is driven by defense needs and can be subject to higher costs due to specialized requirements and limited suppliers.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific contract, as 'sb' is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine overall small business participation in this sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Defense obtained the best possible value and that such awards are justified and not a result of circumventing competitive processes.

Related Government Programs

  • Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Logistics Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source justification questionable
  • Potential for price inflation
  • Lack of transparency in pricing
  • Limited market research evident

Tags

military-armored-vehicle-tank-and-tank-c, department-of-defense, oh, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $43.1 million to CONTITECH USA, INC. TRACK SHOE SET,T-161

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTITECH USA, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-12-18. End: 2011-05-31.

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

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or when urgent and compelling circumstances prevent the use of competitive procedures. Without further documentation, the specific rationale for this track shoe set contract remains unclear and requires investigation.

What is the potential cost overrun or inefficiency due to the lack of competition?

Estimating the exact cost overrun is challenging without a benchmark. However, sole-source contracts often result in prices 10-30% higher than competitively procured items. For this $43M contract, this could translate to $4.3M to $12.9M in potential overspending.

How does the unit cost of these track shoe sets compare to similar items procured competitively?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact specifications and quantity per unit. However, given the sole-source nature and the total award value, it is probable that the per-unit cost is higher than if the contract had been subject to competitive bidding, potentially impacting overall program affordability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Transportation Equipment ManufacturingMilitary Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: VEHICULAR EQUIPMENT COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 703 S CLEVELAND MASSILLON RD, FAIRLAWN, OH, 13

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,088,718

Exercised Options: $43,088,718

Current Obligation: $43,088,718

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W56HZV08D0072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-12-18

Current End Date: 2011-05-31

Potential End Date: 2011-05-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2011-12-15

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