DoD awards $138.8M engineering services contract to Lockheed Martin for Army support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $138,766,459 ($138.8M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-02-03

End Date: 2012-03-13

Contract Duration: 1,134 days

Daily Burn Rate: $122.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TASK ORDER 0024

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $138.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER 0024 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized engineering expertise. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this task order. 3. Contract duration and type warrant scrutiny for potential cost overruns and scope creep. 4. Performance context is tied to Department of the Army requirements, indicating critical mission support. 5. Sector positioning places this within the broader defense engineering services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $138.8 million over three years for engineering services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts for the Department of the Army is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed closely, especially given the $1,223,690 in task orders already issued. Further analysis of the specific services rendered and their necessity would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely solicited. The presence of two bids suggests a degree of competition, but the specifics of the bidding process, including the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not detailed here. A competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, potentially driving down prices and leading to more cost-effective solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits from specialized engineering services to support its operations. This contract likely supports critical defense infrastructure and technological development. Geographic impact is concentrated around the Army's operational areas, primarily Maryland. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for engineers and technical specialists within Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader defense industry. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for technological advancement, maintenance, and modernization of military systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense and its branches to major defense contractors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services, which would be detailed in their subcontracting plan, if applicable.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant Department of the Army program office. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, engineering-services, lockheed-martin, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, task-order, maryland, large-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $138.8 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS, LLC. TASK ORDER 0024

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN INTEGRATED SYSTEMS, 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 $138.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-03. End: 2012-03-13.

What is Lockheed Martin's track record with similar Department of the Army engineering contracts?

Lockheed Martin Integrated Systems, LLC, has a long and extensive history of performing complex engineering and technical services for the Department of Defense, including the Department of the Army. Their track record typically involves large-scale, mission-critical programs requiring advanced technological solutions and integration. While specific performance metrics for this particular task order (0024) are not publicly detailed, the company's overall reputation is that of a major defense contractor capable of handling significant engineering challenges. Historical data from other contracts would reveal patterns in their ability to meet deadlines, manage budgets, and deliver on technical specifications, though direct comparisons require access to detailed performance evaluations which are often not public.

How does the $138.8 million value compare to other engineering services contracts for the Army?

The $138.8 million award for engineering services to Lockheed Martin is a substantial figure, placing it among significant contract awards for the Department of the Army. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to other large-scale engineering support contracts awarded over similar timeframes (2009-2012) to various prime contractors for Army-wide or major command-level support. The average value of such contracts can vary widely based on the scope of services, duration, and specific technological requirements. Without a detailed breakdown of the services rendered under this task order, a precise comparison is difficult, but it represents a significant investment in specialized engineering capabilities, likely for a critical program or set of programs.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude ($138.8 million) is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of defined scope, which can lead to inefficient spending. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. If not managed with rigorous oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, material costs, and strict adherence to a defined ceiling, the total cost can escalate beyond initial estimates. For this contract, the risk lies in ensuring that the labor rates are fair, the materials are necessary and cost-effective, and that the work performed directly aligns with the evolving needs of the Department of the Army without scope creep.

How effective is 'full and open competition' in ensuring value for money in defense engineering services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in defense engineering services. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. This process increases the pool of potential bidders, reducing the likelihood of inflated prices and encouraging innovation. For a contract of this size and complexity, a competitive process helps the government identify the most capable contractor at the most reasonable cost. However, the effectiveness is contingent on the clarity of the solicitation, the fairness of the evaluation criteria, and the government's ability to adequately assess the proposals received.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services within the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for engineering services within the Department of the Army are characterized by significant and consistent investment, driven by the need to maintain, modernize, and develop complex military systems and infrastructure. Spending in this category typically fluctuates based on geopolitical events, technological advancements, and specific program requirements. Major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin are frequent recipients of such contracts. Analysis of past spending would reveal trends in the types of engineering services procured (e.g., R&D, systems integration, logistics support, cybersecurity engineering), the dominant contract vehicles used (e.g., IDIQs, task orders), and the overall budget allocated to external engineering support, which often runs into billions of dollars annually across the DoD.

What are the implications of this contract type (Delivery Order) on program flexibility and cost control?

This contract is a 'Delivery Order' under a larger contract vehicle, which implies a specific order for goods or services placed against an existing agreement. As a 'Task Order' (indicated by 'TASK ORDER 0024'), it represents a specific assignment of work within a broader contract, likely an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) or similar framework. Delivery Orders and Task Orders offer flexibility by allowing the government to procure services or items as needed, adapting to changing requirements. However, this flexibility comes with the inherent risk of cost control challenges, especially if the underlying contract is Time and Materials (T&M). Each order needs careful management to ensure it stays within budget and scope, and that the cumulative cost of all orders does not exceed the contract ceiling. The 'no' field indicating 2 task orders suggests this is one of multiple orders under a parent contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp

Address: 3000 LINCOLN DR E, MARLTON, NJ, 08053

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $138,766,459

Exercised Options: $138,766,459

Current Obligation: $138,766,459

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T06DE405

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-02-03

Current End Date: 2012-03-13

Potential End Date: 2012-03-13 12:03:00

Last Modified: 2022-09-02

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