DoD awards $59.3M sole-source Apache radar support contract to Longbow LLC, running through 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,343,206 ($59.3M)

Contractor: Longbow LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-30

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,645 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT (LCCS) FOR THE APACHE AH-64D/E FIRE CONTROL RADAR (FCR)

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32819

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $59.3 million to LONGBOW LLC for work described as: LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT (LCCS) FOR THE APACHE AH-64D/E FIRE CONTROL RADAR (FCR) Key points: 1. The contract is a sole-source award, indicating limited competition. 2. The total value is $59.3 million over approximately 4 years. 3. The primary risk is the lack of competitive pricing. 4. This falls under the Aircraft Manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is difficult to assess without competitive benchmarks. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, likely due to specialized requirements for the Apache AH-64D/E Fire Control Radar. The sole-source nature limits price discovery and competitive pressure.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of a competitive bidding process for this critical defense system support.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the Apache helicopter fleet. Supports a critical component (fire control radar) for a key military asset. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award impacting defense budget allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Ensures critical system support
Firm fixed-price contract

Sector Analysis

This contract is within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, specifically supporting a key component of the Apache attack helicopter. Defense spending in this area is critical for national security, but often involves specialized, high-cost systems.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses are involved in this sole-source contract, which is typical for highly specialized defense systems requiring unique expertise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and prevent waste. The Department of the Army is responsible for managing this contract and ensuring value for taxpayer dollars.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns without competition.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical system support.
Long contract duration increases risk exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $59.3 million to LONGBOW LLC. LIFE CYCLE CONTRACTOR SUPPORT (LCCS) FOR THE APACHE AH-64D/E FIRE CONTROL RADAR (FCR)

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 $59.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-30. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has a market research report been conducted to confirm the lack of viable alternatives?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or essential integration requirements. A thorough market research report should have been conducted by the Department of the Army to validate that no other sources could meet the government's needs, ensuring the sole-source decision is both necessary and in the government's best interest.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar support contracts for other advanced military aircraft systems, considering the sole-source nature?

Direct comparison is challenging due to the unique nature of the Apache FCR system and the sole-source award. However, the Department of the Army should benchmark pricing against historical data for similar complex avionics support and, if possible, against publicly available data for comparable international systems to identify potential outliers and ensure reasonable cost.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and timely delivery of contractor support for the Apache FCR, given the extended contract duration?

Effectiveness and timely delivery are typically ensured through performance metrics, milestone payments tied to deliverables, and regular progress reviews. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to meet deadlines efficiently. The Department of the Army should maintain active contract management and oversight to monitor performance and address any issues proactively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W58RGZ21R0135

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5600 W SAND LAKE RD MP 205, ORLANDO, FL, 32819

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $78,126,417

Exercised Options: $59,343,206

Current Obligation: $59,343,206

Actual Outlays: $2,651,451

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $31,712

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline