DoD's $1.49B Advanced Procurement for Long Lead Items to Boeing Faces No Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,491,571,063 ($1.5B)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-04-24

End Date: 2023-07-15

Contract Duration: 3,369 days

Daily Burn Rate: $442.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ADVANCED PROCUREMENT FUNDING FOR LONG LEAD ITEMS

Place of Performance

Location: MESA, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85215

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $1.49 billion to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: ADVANCED PROCUREMENT FUNDING FOR LONG LEAD ITEMS Key points: 1. Significant funding allocated for long lead items, indicating critical component needs. 2. Sole-source award to Boeing suggests a lack of viable alternatives or specific expertise required. 3. Long contract duration (over 9 years) raises concerns about potential cost overruns and evolving needs. 4. Fixed Price Incentive (FPI) contract type aims to balance cost control with performance incentives.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The $1.49 billion contract value is substantial. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price reflects fair market value. Benchmarking against similar long-lead item procurements for aircraft components is necessary.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to The Boeing Company. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for such a large contract raises concerns about taxpayer value. Without competitive pressure, there's a risk of overpaying for these critical long-lead items.

Public Impact

Impacts national defense capabilities by ensuring availability of critical aircraft components. Potential for job creation and economic activity within the aerospace sector and its supply chain. Long-term commitment could lock the government into specific technologies or platforms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Long contract duration
  • Potential for cost overruns with FPI contract type

Positive Signals

  • Ensures availability of critical long-lead items
  • Supports a key defense contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, a critical component of the defense industrial base. Spending benchmarks for long-lead item procurement can vary widely based on aircraft type and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any subcontracting to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain for these long-lead items.

Oversight & Accountability

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for oversight. The long duration and sole-source nature warrant close monitoring to ensure cost control and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award
  • Extended contract duration increases risk of cost escalation and scope creep
  • FPI contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly
  • Limited transparency on specific long-lead items and their necessity

Tags

aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, az, definitive-contract, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $1.49 billion to THE BOEING COMPANY. ADVANCED PROCUREMENT FUNDING FOR LONG LEAD ITEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.49 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-04-24. End: 2023-07-15.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were any market research efforts conducted to identify potential competitors?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can meet the requirements. Comprehensive market research is crucial to validate these claims and ensure no viable alternatives exist. Without this information, it's difficult to ascertain if the government truly explored all options or if this award represents a missed opportunity for competitive pricing.

How are cost overruns managed under the Fixed Price Incentive (FPI) contract, and what are the target and ceiling prices?

An FPI contract establishes a target cost, target profit, and a price ceiling. If the final cost is below the target, the profit increases. If it exceeds the target, profit decreases, sharing the overrun with the contractor up to the ceiling. Understanding the specific target and ceiling prices, as well as the sharing ratio, is vital to assess the government's risk exposure and the contractor's incentive to control costs effectively.

What is the projected impact of these long-lead items on future aircraft production schedules and overall program costs?

The procurement of long-lead items is intended to de-risk and accelerate future production. Analyzing the specific items being procured and their integration into the overall aircraft manufacturing plan is key. This includes assessing whether the timing and quantity align with production forecasts and if any delays in these long-lead items could cascade into significant program cost increases or schedule slippages.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W58RGZ13R0153

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5000 E MCDOWELL RD, MESA, AZ, 85215

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: $1,492,259,860

Exercised Options: $1,492,259,860

Current Obligation: $1,491,571,063

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 54

Total Subaward Amount: $73,224,324

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2014-04-24

Current End Date: 2023-07-15

Potential End Date: 2023-07-15 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-07-15

More Contracts from THE Boeing Company

View all THE Boeing Company federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending