DoD awards $13.2M contract for Black Hawk helicopter M&O to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,240,527 ($13.2M)

Contractor: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-29

End Date: 2027-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,011 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL (M&O)/UPGRADE/REPAIR OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THE UH-60 BLACKHAWK WEAPON SYSTEM: ACCESSORY GEARBOX TRANSMISSION, MECHANICAL MAIN MODULE ASSEMBLY BLADE, ROTARY WING PANEL, CONTROL, ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY GEARBOX, TAIL ROTOR.

Place of Performance

Location: STRATFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06614

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.2 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION for work described as: MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL (M&O)/UPGRADE/REPAIR OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THE UH-60 BLACKHAWK WEAPON SYSTEM: ACCESSORY GEARBOX TRANSMISSION, MECHANICAL MAIN MODULE ASSEMBLY BLADE, ROTARY WING PANEL, CONTROL, ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY GEARBOX, TAIL ROTOR. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical components for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. 2. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, the original equipment manufacturer, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for maintenance, overhaul, upgrade, and repair services. 4. This award represents a significant investment in maintaining a key military asset.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.2 million for a multi-year period (2022-2027) appears reasonable for specialized helicopter component maintenance. However, without specific details on the scope of work and the number of units, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, likely due to Sikorsky's sole-source proprietary knowledge and manufacturing capabilities for the UH-60 Black Hawk components. This lack of competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to ensure the operational readiness of a critical military helicopter fleet. The absence of competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness of the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet, vital for military operations. Supports specialized jobs in aerospace maintenance and repair. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award impacting taxpayer value. Highlights reliance on original equipment manufacturers for specialized military hardware support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics.
Lack of transparency in pricing for specialized components.

Positive Signals

Ensures availability of critical maintenance for a key military asset.
Leverages OEM expertise for specialized repairs.
Supports long-term readiness of the Black Hawk fleet.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for helicopter maintenance can vary widely based on fleet size, age, and operational tempo.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded directly to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and does not appear to include provisions for small business participation. The nature of specialized helicopter component M&O often favors large, established manufacturers.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for oversight. The contract's sole-source nature warrants close monitoring to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance throughout its duration.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns
Long-term contract duration
Limited transparency on pricing details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.2 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. MAINTENANCE AND OVERHAUL (M&O)/UPGRADE/REPAIR OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS FOR THE UH-60 BLACKHAWK WEAPON SYSTEM: ACCESSORY GEARBOX TRANSMISSION, MECHANICAL MAIN MODULE ASSEMBLY BLADE, ROTARY WING PANEL, CONTROL, ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY GEARBOX, TAIL ROTOR.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-29. End: 2027-12-31.

What is the estimated cost per unit or service for the maintenance and overhaul of the specified Black Hawk components?

The provided data does not specify a per-unit cost. The total award is $13.2 million for a period extending to December 2027. Without a breakdown of the specific components, quantities, and types of services (M&O, upgrade, repair), establishing a precise per-unit cost benchmark is not feasible from this information alone.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical helicopter components?

The primary risk is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated prices and reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in and potential supply chain vulnerabilities if the sole-source provider faces operational issues.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness and readiness of the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet?

This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of the UH-60 Black Hawk fleet by ensuring that essential components receive necessary maintenance, overhaul, and repair. Timely and quality service on these critical parts directly impacts the helicopter's airworthiness and mission capability.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 6900 MAIN ST, STRATFORD, CT, 06614

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: $13,240,527

Exercised Options: $13,240,527

Current Obligation: $13,240,527

Actual Outlays: $79,528

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $131

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ22D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline