DoD awards $125.7M to General Dynamics for 155mm M795 metal parts for Ukraine

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $125,686,101 ($125.7M)

Contractor: General Dynamics OTS (wilkes Barre), LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-26

End Date: 2026-01-30

Contract Duration: 1,222 days

Daily Burn Rate: $102.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MANUFACTURE, PRODUCE, AND DELIVER 155MM M795 METAL PARTS IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE DOD STOCK REPLENISHMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: WILKES BARRE, LUZERNE County, PENNSYLVANIA, 18702

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $125.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS (WILKES BARRE), LLC for work described as: MANUFACTURE, PRODUCE, AND DELIVER 155MM M795 METAL PARTS IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE DOD STOCK REPLENISHMENT. Key points: 1. Significant award for critical munitions support to Ukraine. 2. General Dynamics OTS is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. Fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract introduces cost escalation risk. 4. Spending supports defense industrial base and allied security.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $125.7M for 155mm metal parts appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar munitions contracts is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns, but the economic price adjustment clause warrants close monitoring for potential cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition. However, only one offeror, General Dynamics OTS, was selected. This suggests either a highly specialized capability or potential limitations in the solicitation process that may have restricted broader participation, impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to replenish DoD stock, indirectly supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. The economic price adjustment could increase the final cost to taxpayers if material and labor costs rise significantly.

Public Impact

Direct support to Ukraine's defense capabilities. Strengthens US defense industrial base capacity for critical munitions. Potential for increased production of artillery shells. Impacts global ammunition supply chains.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Economic price adjustment increases cost risk.
  • Limited apparent competition despite 'full and open' designation.
  • Long performance period (over 3 years).

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical allied nation.
  • Addresses DoD stock replenishment needs.
  • Utilizes established defense contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for national defense and geopolitical stability, especially given current global conflicts. Benchmarks are highly sensitive to specific munition types and geopolitical demand.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, General Dynamics OTS, is a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract, which is common for large-scale, specialized defense manufacturing efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army is the contracting activity. Oversight will be critical to monitor performance, delivery schedules, and the impact of the economic price adjustment clause to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Related Government Programs

  • Ammunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost escalation due to EPA.
  • Limited competition despite 'full and open' designation.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to market volatility.
  • Dependence on a single supplier for critical components.

Tags

ammunition-except-small-arms-manufacturi, department-of-defense, pa, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $125.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS (WILKES BARRE), LLC. MANUFACTURE, PRODUCE, AND DELIVER 155MM M795 METAL PARTS IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE DOD STOCK REPLENISHMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS OTS (WILKES BARRE), LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $125.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-26. End: 2026-01-30.

What specific factors led to only one offer being selected despite a 'full and open' competition for these 155mm metal parts?

The solicitation may have included highly specific technical requirements, stringent manufacturing standards, or unique production capabilities that only General Dynamics OTS could meet. Alternatively, the market research might have identified a limited number of capable sources, or the solicitation's structure might have inadvertently discouraged broader participation, leading to a single, viable offer.

How will the economic price adjustment (EPA) clause be managed to mitigate potential cost overruns for taxpayers?

The EPA clause allows for adjustments based on specific economic indicators, typically related to labor and material costs. Effective management requires robust tracking of these indicators, clear communication protocols between the government and contractor, and potentially setting caps or review triggers within the contract to limit excessive price increases and ensure fair value.

What is the projected impact of this contract on the overall readiness and supply chain for 155mm ammunition for both US forces and allies?

This contract directly contributes to replenishing DoD stocks and supporting Ukraine, which is vital for maintaining readiness and allied capabilities. By increasing production, it could alleviate some supply chain pressures, though the long-term impact depends on sustained demand, future contract awards, and the overall capacity of the defense industrial base.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Fabricated Metal Product ManufacturingAmmunition (except Small Arms) Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W15QKN17R0018

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE WITH ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT (K)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wico Limited

Address: 1500 HIGHWAY 315 BLVD, WILKES BARRE, PA, 18702

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $125,686,101

Exercised Options: $125,686,101

Current Obligation: $125,686,101

Actual Outlays: $27,239,735

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $35,579,335

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15QKN19D0084

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-09-26

Current End Date: 2026-01-30

Potential End Date: 2026-01-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-25

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