DoD's $48.7M Fuel System Supply Point Order to West Electronics Inc. Lacks Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,677,535 ($48.7M)

Contractor: West Electronics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-12-07

End Date: 2014-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,240 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER 0019 TO CONTRACT DAAE07-03-D-T078 (ORDERING YEAR 8) FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF QTY 27, 300K FUEL SYSTEM SUPPLY POINT'S (FSSP) AND QTY 45, 120K FSSP'S.

Place of Performance

Location: POPLAR, ROOSEVELT County, MONTANA, 59255

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $48.7 million to WEST ELECTRONICS INC for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER 0019 TO CONTRACT DAAE07-03-D-T078 (ORDERING YEAR 8) FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF QTY 27, 300K FUEL SYSTEM SUPPLY POINT'S (FSSP) AND QTY 45, 120K FSSP'S. Key points: 1. Significant expenditure on critical fuel system components. 2. Sole-source award raises concerns about price discovery and value. 3. Long contract duration (over 3 years) for a non-competed order. 4. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of $48.7M for fuel system supply points lacks a clear benchmark due to its sole-source nature. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for the government as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying for these fuel system components due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness for military fuel supply. Supports critical infrastructure for fuel distribution. Potential for taxpayer funds to be used inefficiently without competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under the manufacturing sector, specifically pump manufacturing. The $48.7M value is substantial for a single delivery order, especially one awarded without competition, which is unusual for such a significant amount.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, nor is there information on whether subcontracting opportunities were explored.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this large delivery order warrants further oversight to ensure the government received fair pricing and that this was indeed the only viable option.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

measuring-and-dispensing-pump-manufactur, department-of-defense, mt, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $48.7 million to WEST ELECTRONICS INC. DELIVERY ORDER 0019 TO CONTRACT DAAE07-03-D-T078 (ORDERING YEAR 8) FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF QTY 27, 300K FUEL SYSTEM SUPPLY POINT'S (FSSP) AND QTY 45, 120K FSSP'S.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEST ELECTRONICS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $48.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-12-07. End: 2014-04-30.

What was the justification for awarding this significant contract solely to West Electronics Inc. without competition?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves a determination that only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without specific documentation, it's impossible to confirm the exact reason, but it's a critical point for oversight.

How does the unit cost of these fuel system supply points compare to industry benchmarks, given the lack of competitive data?

Without competitive bids or publicly available pricing for similar systems from other manufacturers, establishing a precise unit cost benchmark is challenging. The absence of competition means the government did not benefit from market forces that typically drive down prices. A thorough cost analysis would be needed to estimate a fair price.

What is the long-term strategic impact of relying on a single supplier for critical fuel system components?

Long-term reliance on a single supplier, especially without competition, can create strategic vulnerabilities. It may limit technological advancement, reduce flexibility in future procurements, and potentially lead to price escalations over time. Diversifying suppliers or ensuring robust competition in future contracts would mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther General Purpose Machinery ManufacturingMeasuring and Dispensing Pump Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT/MINE/EXCAVATE/HIGHWY EQPT

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: INDUSTRIAL PARK, POPLAR, MT, 02

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,677,535

Exercised Options: $48,677,535

Current Obligation: $48,677,535

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DAAE0703DT078

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-12-07

Current End Date: 2014-04-30

Potential End Date: 2014-04-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2014-09-18

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