DoD awards $55.1M to Longbow LLC for Apache Longbow radar support, raising concerns about competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,118,824 ($55.1M)

Contractor: Longbow LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-03-13

End Date: 2010-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,389 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR FIRE CONTROL RADAR, APACHE LONGBOW HELICOPTER

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32819, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $55.1 million to LONGBOW LLC for work described as: LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR FIRE CONTROL RADAR, APACHE LONGBOW HELICOPTER Key points: 1. Contract value of $55.1M for contractor support. 2. Sole contractor, Longbow LLC, holds the award. 3. Potential risk due to lack of competition. 4. Spending falls within the Other Aircraft Parts manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $55.1M for contractor support is difficult to benchmark without comparable contracts. The lack of competition suggests potential overpricing or suboptimal value for taxpayer dollars.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for this $55.1M contract means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price or value.

Public Impact

Apache Longbow helicopter readiness may be impacted by contractor support. Taxpayer funds are allocated without competitive bidding, potentially leading to inefficiencies. The long-term reliance on a single contractor could stifle innovation and increase future costs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Supports critical defense equipment (Apache Longbow)
Firm Fixed Price contract type can limit cost overruns

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining military aviation capabilities, but competitive sourcing is generally preferred to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This represents a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance. Oversight should focus on validating the necessity of the sole-source approach and monitoring contractor performance.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for uncompetitive pricing.
Lack of transparency in contract justification.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $55.1 million to LONGBOW LLC. LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR FIRE CONTROL RADAR, APACHE LONGBOW HELICOPTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LONGBOW 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 $55.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-13. End: 2010-12-31.

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

The justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. However, without further documentation, it's unclear if alternative competitive strategies were explored or deemed unfeasible, which is a critical oversight for ensuring taxpayer value.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar contractor support services?

Direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging without specific details on the scope and duration of the support provided. However, the lack of competition inherently raises concerns about whether the pricing reflects market rates. A thorough review of the contractor's cost proposal and historical pricing data would be necessary to assess value for money.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of Longbow LLC's support for the Apache Longbow radar?

Effectiveness and efficiency are typically ensured through performance metrics, service level agreements, and regular government oversight. Given this is a sole-source contract, the Department of the Army should have robust mechanisms in place to monitor Longbow LLC's performance closely, ensuring that the support provided meets the required standards for the Apache Longbow helicopter's fire control radar.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W58RGZ06R0584

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 5600 W SAND LAKE RD, ORLANDO, FL, 32819

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,118,824

Exercised Options: $55,118,824

Current Obligation: $55,118,824

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline