DoD Awards $63.9M for Rotary Wing Blades, Sole-Sourced to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,917,000 ($63.9M)

Contractor: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-27

End Date: 2020-02-17

Contract Duration: 1,238 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: NOUN: BLADE, ROTARY WING NSN:1615015461148 PN: 70150-09200-041

Place of Performance

Location: STRATFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06614

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $63.9 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION for work described as: NOUN: BLADE, ROTARY WING NSN:1615015461148 PN: 70150-09200-041 Key points: 1. Significant award for critical aircraft components. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Long contract duration (1238 days) may impact price volatility. 4. Awarded by Defense Logistics Agency, supporting broader DoD operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The award amount of $63.9M for 1 unit over 1238 days suggests a high per-unit cost. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to assess if this price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source procurement. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these rotary wing blades.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational readiness for rotary wing aircraft. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. Supports a key defense contractor, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • High potential per-unit cost

Positive Signals

  • Critical component for aircraft maintenance
  • Supports DoD operational readiness

Sector Analysis

This award falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining military aviation fleets. Benchmarks for similar sole-source awards are needed for better cost assessment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for sole-source procurements of specialized components.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns. The Defense Logistics Agency should have robust internal controls in place.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Logistics Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to inflated prices.
  • Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source nature.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to market volatility.
  • Limited transparency on cost justification.

Tags

other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, ct, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $63.9 million to SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION. NOUN: BLADE, ROTARY WING NSN:1615015461148 PN: 70150-09200-041

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $63.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-27. End: 2020-02-17.

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

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific documentation, it's unclear if alternatives were explored. A thorough review would confirm if competition was truly impossible or if other avenues were overlooked, impacting potential cost savings.

How does the awarded price compare to historical pricing for similar rotary wing blades, considering inflation and technological advancements?

Comparing the $63.9M award to historical data is challenging without access to specific contract details and market research. Factors like inflation, material costs, and any design modifications influence price. A detailed cost analysis or benchmarking against similar sole-source awards would be necessary to determine if the price is reasonable and reflects fair market value.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and timely delivery of these critical components under a long-term, sole-source contract?

Quality assurance and delivery schedules are typically managed through contract clauses, performance metrics, and regular inspections. For sole-source contracts, the government often relies on the contractor's established quality systems. Oversight by the Defense Logistics Agency is crucial to monitor progress, address any potential delays, and ensure the components meet stringent military specifications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingAerospace Product and Parts ManufacturingOther 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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 6900 MAIN ST, STRATFORD, CT, 06614

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,917,000

Exercised Options: $63,917,000

Current Obligation: $63,917,000

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $54,076

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPE4AX15D9423

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-09-27

Current End Date: 2020-02-17

Potential End Date: 2020-02-17 12:02:00

Last Modified: 2018-12-02

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