DoD awards $20.6M to Lockheed Martin for GMLRS rocket components, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,583,645 ($20.6M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-12-29

End Date: 2028-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,494 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LAST TIME BUY (LTB) COMPONENTS FOR GUIDED MUNITIONS LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (GMLRS).

Place of Performance

Location: GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75051

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION for work described as: LAST TIME BUY (LTB) COMPONENTS FOR GUIDED MUNITIONS LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (GMLRS). Key points: 1. Significant award for critical defense components. 2. Sole source award to incumbent prime contractor. 3. Long-term contract duration raises potential cost concerns. 4. Focus on last-time buy suggests obsolescence risk.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount is substantial for specialized components. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the price reflects market value or if it's inflated due to the sole-source nature and the 'last time buy' urgency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Lockheed Martin. 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 for essential defense components may result in higher taxpayer expenditure than if multiple vendors were considered.

Public Impact

Ensures continued supply of critical components for GMLRS rockets. Supports ongoing military readiness and operational capabilities. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source procurement
  • Long contract duration
  • Last-time buy component

Positive Signals

  • Ensures critical component availability
  • Supports established weapon system

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing sector, a specialized area of defense manufacturing. Spending in this sector is often characterized by high R&D costs, long production cycles, and significant government oversight due to national security implications.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this award went to a large corporation, Lockheed Martin. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract, which is common for prime contracts in this specialized defense manufacturing sector.

Oversight & Accountability

As a sole-source award for critical defense components, this contract likely falls under significant oversight from the Department of Defense. However, the lack of competition limits the effectiveness of market-based accountability for pricing.

Related Government Programs

  • Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits price competition.
  • Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions.
  • 'Last time buy' status could indicate obsolescence risk.
  • Lack of small business participation.

Tags

guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufac, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.6 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION. LAST TIME BUY (LTB) COMPONENTS FOR GUIDED MUNITIONS LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (GMLRS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-29. End: 2028-01-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative sourcing strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or the need to maintain compatibility with existing systems. For a 'last time buy,' it often implies that the component is no longer in regular production or that the original manufacturer is the only viable source for remaining needs. Alternative sourcing strategies might have been explored, but if the component is obsolete or highly specialized, options could be limited.

How does the 'last time buy' status impact the long-term cost and availability of GMLRS rockets?

A 'last time buy' signifies that this is the final opportunity to procure these specific components. This can lead to higher per-unit costs due to reduced economies of scale and the manufacturer potentially incurring additional setup costs for a limited run. It also creates a future risk of obsolescence for the GMLRS system if replacements or upgrades are not planned, potentially requiring costly redesigns or new system procurements.

What measures are in place to ensure the quality and reliability of these components given the long contract duration and sole-source nature?

Despite the sole-source nature, stringent quality assurance and testing protocols are typically mandated by the Department of Defense for all weapon system components. This includes detailed specifications, inspections, and performance verification throughout the manufacturing and delivery process. The long contract duration (2023-2028) necessitates robust quality management systems to ensure consistent performance over the entire period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingGuided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

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: 1701 W MARSHALL DR, GRAND PRAIRIE, TX, 75051

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: $20,583,645

Exercised Options: $20,583,645

Current Obligation: $20,583,645

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $7,988,414

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q23D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-12-29

Current End Date: 2028-01-31

Potential End Date: 2028-01-31 12:01:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-19

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