DoD awards $49.5M for 871 Reactive Side Skirts and 435 Installation Kits to General Dynamics-OTS, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,484,790 ($49.5M)

Contractor: General Dynamics-Ots, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-07-08

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 815 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 871 REACTIVE SIDE SKIRTS PALLET UNITS & 435 INSTALLATION KITS

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, CHITTENDEN County, VERMONT, 05401

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $49.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC. for work described as: 871 REACTIVE SIDE SKIRTS PALLET UNITS & 435 INSTALLATION KITS Key points: 1. Significant award for specialized vehicle protection components. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Contract duration of 815 days suggests a substantial, ongoing need. 4. Focus on ordnance and accessories manufacturing aligns with defense sector needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $49.5M for 871 units and 435 kits results in a per-unit cost of approximately $56,755. Benchmarking against similar complex vehicle protection systems is difficult without more specific data, but this appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized military hardware.

Cost Per Unit: $56,755

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process. The rationale for sole-source is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been awarded through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Enhances survivability of military vehicles on the battlefield. Supports the operational readiness of Army ground forces. Procurement of specialized defense equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

  • Addresses critical defense need
  • Award to established defense contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically related to ordnance and accessories manufacturing. Spending in this area is driven by military modernization and operational requirements. Benchmarks for similar specialized vehicle protection systems are highly variable.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract award, as it was a sole-source procurement from a large defense contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure fair pricing and justification for the lack of competition. Accountability for the procurement decision rests with the Department of the Army contracting officials.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Ordnance and Accessories Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for inflated costs
  • Limited transparency on justification
  • No clear small business participation

Tags

other-ordnance-and-accessories-manufactu, department-of-defense, vt, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $49.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC.. 871 REACTIVE SIDE SKIRTS PALLET UNITS & 435 INSTALLATION KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS-OTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $49.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-08. End: 2012-09-30.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other responsible sources. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to confirm the exact reason. To ensure fair pricing, the government often relies on cost analysis, historical pricing data, or independent government cost estimates, even in sole-source situations.

How does the performance of these reactive side skirts compare to previous or alternative protection systems in terms of effectiveness and cost-efficiency?

Assessing the comparative effectiveness and cost-efficiency requires access to technical performance data, field reports, and lifecycle cost analyses. Information on how these specific skirts perform against various threats, compared to other available technologies or previous iterations, is crucial for a comprehensive evaluation of their value.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring vehicle protection systems, and does this sole-source award align with that strategy?

Understanding the long-term strategy is key to evaluating this award's impact. If the strategy prioritizes competitive development and procurement of advanced protection, a sole-source award might be an exception due to specific circumstances. Conversely, if it focuses on leveraging a specific contractor's unique expertise, it could be a planned component.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingOther Ordnance and Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W15QKN09R0609

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 128 LAKESIDE AVE, BURLINGTON, VT, 00

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,484,790

Exercised Options: $49,484,790

Current Obligation: $49,484,790

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-07-08

Current End Date: 2012-09-30

Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2014-09-25

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