Dod Awards $27.2M for 241 M-105 Hippo Water Tank Racks to Thielmann WEW Gmbh
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,255,237 ($27.3M)
Contractor: Thielmann WEW Gmbh
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-04-09
End Date: 2020-03-17
Contract Duration: 708 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: URGENT QUANTITY OF 241 LOAD HANDLING SYSTEM (LHS) COMPATIBLE WATER TANK RACK MODELS, NSN 5430-01-487-7760 (M-105 HIPPO) ASSOCIATED SUPPORT KITS AND DATA DELIVERABLES.
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $27.3 million to THIELMANN WEW GMBH for work described as: URGENT QUANTITY OF 241 LOAD HANDLING SYSTEM (LHS) COMPATIBLE WATER TANK RACK MODELS, NSN 5430-01-487-7760 (M-105 HIPPO) ASSOCIATED SUPPORT KITS AND DATA DELIVERABLES. Key points: 1. Significant award for specialized military equipment. 2. Sole-source procurement raises competition concerns. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition. 4. Focus on armored vehicle support systems.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $27.2M for 241 units appears high without competitive benchmarking. The lack of competition suggests potential overpricing compared to a market-driven scenario.
Cost Per Unit: $113,092
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to less favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these critical water tank racks.
Public Impact
Ensures operational readiness for armored vehicles by providing essential water transport. Supports military logistics in deployed environments. Directly impacts soldiers' access to clean water during operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- High per-unit cost
Positive Signals
- Essential military equipment
- Supports operational readiness
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing sector. Spending benchmarks for specialized military equipment can vary widely based on complexity and quantity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this sole-source award, as the contractor is THIELMANN WEW GMBH.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the government obtained fair and reasonable pricing. Further review of justification for other than full and open competition is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing.
- Limited transparency in price negotiation.
- No small business consideration.
Tags
military-armored-vehicle-tank-and-tank-c, department-of-defense, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $27.3 million to THIELMANN WEW GMBH. URGENT QUANTITY OF 241 LOAD HANDLING SYSTEM (LHS) COMPATIBLE WATER TANK RACK MODELS, NSN 5430-01-487-7760 (M-105 HIPPO) ASSOCIATED SUPPORT KITS AND DATA DELIVERABLES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THIELMANN WEW GMBH.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-04-09. End: 2020-03-17.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, such justifications are required when only one responsible source can fulfill the requirement, often due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where competition is not feasible or practical.
How does the per-unit cost compare to similar, competitively procured systems?
Without data on competitively procured similar systems, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $113,092 per-unit cost for the M-105 HIPPO water tank rack appears substantial. A competitive process would likely have yielded a lower price point through market forces.
What is the long-term strategic value of these water tank racks?
These M-105 HIPPO water tank racks are crucial for maintaining operational readiness and supporting deployed forces by ensuring a reliable supply of potable water for armored vehicles. Their strategic value lies in enabling sustained military operations in diverse environments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing › Military Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: PREFAB STRUCTURES/SCAFFOLDING
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W56HZV18R0009
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: RINGSTR. 65A, WEITEFELD
Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,255,237
Exercised Options: $27,255,237
Current Obligation: $27,255,237
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-04-09
Current End Date: 2020-03-17
Potential End Date: 2020-03-17 12:03:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-03
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