DoD's $133M Boeing/Sikorsky contract for ODCS technical data publications raises questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $133,020,543 ($133.0M)

Contractor: Boeing Sikorsky Aircraft Support, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-01-01

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $365.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL DATA PUBLICATIONS ODCS

Place of Performance

Location: FORT CAMPBELL, MONTGOMERY County, TENNESSEE, 42223

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $133.0 million to BOEING SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT, LLC for work described as: TECHNICAL DATA PUBLICATIONS ODCS Key points: 1. High contract value ($133M) for technical data publications. 2. Sole-source award to Boeing/Sikorsky Aircraft Support, LLC. 3. Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition. 4. Focus on specialized support for U.S. Special Operations Command.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $133M for technical data publications is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price reflects fair market value compared to similar services.

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 potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to offer competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on this $133M contract may result in taxpayers paying a premium for technical data publications.

Public Impact

Special Operations Command relies on accurate technical data for critical operations. Potential impact on readiness if data is not cost-effectively procured. Transparency concerns due to sole-source nature of the award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Sole-source award
High contract value for data services

Positive Signals

Supports critical Special Operations Command needs
Long-term contract potentially ensures stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under specialized support services for air transportation, specifically technical data publications. Benchmarking is difficult without comparable sole-source data, but $133M is a significant sum for data management.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is Boeing Sikorsky Aircraft Support, LLC, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific sole-source contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and prevent waste. The Special Operations Command and DoD contracting officers must rigorously justify the necessity and cost-effectiveness of this award.

Related Government Programs

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation
Department of Defense Contracting
U.S. Special Operations Command Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of price discovery.
High dollar value for data publication services.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $133.0 million to BOEING SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT, LLC. TECHNICAL DATA PUBLICATIONS ODCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOEING SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT SUPPORT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $133.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the justification for awarding this $133M contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary data, or urgent requirements where only one source can fulfill the need. For this contract, the specific rationale from the Department of Defense would need to be examined to understand why competitive bidding was deemed impractical or impossible.

How does the government ensure cost-effectiveness in sole-source contracts for technical data?

Ensuring cost-effectiveness in sole-source contracts relies heavily on robust negotiation, independent cost analysis, and benchmarking against similar, albeit potentially different, services. The government may use historical pricing, industry data, or require detailed cost breakdowns from the contractor to validate the proposed price.

What is the long-term risk associated with relying on a single vendor for critical technical data?

The primary long-term risk is vendor lock-in, reduced bargaining power, and potential price escalation over time. Dependence on a single vendor can also create vulnerabilities if that vendor experiences financial difficulties, changes strategic direction, or faces operational disruptions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Support Activities for Air Transportation › Other Support Activities for Air Transportation

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: H9224116R0004

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Boeing Company

Address: 7244B NIGHTSTALKER WAY, FORT CAMPBELL, KY, 42223

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $133,020,543

Exercised Options: $133,020,543

Current Obligation: $133,020,543

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: H9224119D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline