DoD Awards $3.47B Apache Production Contract to Boeing, Raising Competition Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,472,726,822 ($3.5B)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-06-18

End Date: 2028-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,753 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3M/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: APACHE ADVANCED PROCUREMENT AWARD FOR LOT 12 FULL RATE PRODUCTION.

Place of Performance

Location: MESA, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85215

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $3.47 billion to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: APACHE ADVANCED PROCUREMENT AWARD FOR LOT 12 FULL RATE PRODUCTION. Key points: 1. Significant award value of $3.47 billion for Apache advanced procurement. 2. Sole-source nature of the contract limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential risk associated with single-source reliance for critical defense assets. 4. Aircraft Manufacturing sector sees substantial government investment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's large value and lack of competition make a direct pricing assessment difficult. Benchmarking against similar sole-source defense contracts is necessary to evaluate value.

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 potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these Apache aircraft components.

Public Impact

Taxpayers face potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive bidding. Reliance on a single supplier for critical defense hardware could impact long-term supply chain resilience. The substantial investment in aircraft manufacturing highlights the importance of this sector for national security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • High contract value

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical defense capabilities
  • Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, a key area for defense spending. Benchmarks for similar large-scale, sole-source defense procurements would be relevant for comparison.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific award, as the prime contractor is The Boeing Company. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation in the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this contract warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Aircraft Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for cost overruns
  • Supply chain dependency

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 $3.47 billion to THE BOEING COMPANY. APACHE ADVANCED PROCUREMENT AWARD FOR LOT 12 FULL RATE PRODUCTION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.47 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-18. End: 2028-12-31.

What is the historical pricing trend for similar sole-source Apache procurement contracts awarded to The Boeing Company?

Analyzing historical pricing data for comparable sole-source Apache procurement contracts awarded to The Boeing Company is essential. This involves examining contract modifications, escalation clauses, and year-over-year price changes to identify any patterns of cost increases or potential inefficiencies. Understanding these trends can help assess whether the current $3.47 billion award represents a fair market price.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single supplier for the full rate production of Apache components?

Sole-source reliance for Apache components poses risks such as supply chain disruptions if the sole supplier faces production issues, potential price gouging due to lack of competition, and reduced innovation as there's less incentive for the supplier to improve processes. It also limits the government's leverage in negotiations and could impact long-term availability if the supplier decides to exit the market.

How does the government ensure cost-effectiveness and value for money in sole-source defense contracts of this magnitude?

In sole-source defense contracts, cost-effectiveness is typically ensured through rigorous cost analysis, including detailed review of the contractor's proposed costs, comparison with independent government cost estimates, and benchmarking against similar historical contracts. Price negotiation techniques, profit analysis, and stringent oversight mechanisms are employed to maximize value for money and mitigate risks associated with the absence of competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingAircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $4,818,620,070

Exercised Options: $3,489,896,620

Current Obligation: $3,472,726,822

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1052

Total Subaward Amount: $998,729,876

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-06-18

Current End Date: 2028-12-31

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

Last Modified: 2026-01-15

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