DoD Spends $24.6M on AH-1Z IMD HUMS Kits from Simmonds Precision Products Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,651,507 ($24.7M)

Contractor: Simmonds Precision Products Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-02-27

End Date: 2021-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,523 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: LOT 14 AH-1Z IMD HUMS KITS

Place of Performance

Location: VERGENNES, ADDISON County, VERMONT, 05491

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.7 million to SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC for work described as: LOT 14 AH-1Z IMD HUMS KITS Key points: 1. Significant investment in specialized aircraft parts. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery. 3. Long contract duration (2017-2021) impacts potential for cost savings. 4. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of $24.6M for 1 HUMS kit over four years suggests a high per-unit cost. Without comparable contract data or a competitive bidding process, it's difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to similar specialized aviation components.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price and may lead to inflated costs for the taxpayer.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely resulted in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

Ensures operational readiness for AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters. Supports critical maintenance and diagnostic capabilities for aviation assets. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this niche area is crucial for maintaining specialized military aviation fleets, but often involves limited suppliers and higher unit costs due to complexity and low volume.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Simmonds Precision Products Inc., is likely a large business, and opportunities for small businesses in this specialized supply chain were not leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the price paid was fair and reasonable. A review of the justification for the sole-source award and the negotiation process would be beneficial.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.7 million to SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC. LOT 14 AH-1Z IMD HUMS KITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIMMONDS PRECISION PRODUCTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-02-27. End: 2021-04-30.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or a lack of other responsible sources. Without access to the specific contract file, it's impossible to determine the exact reason. However, the government should have explored all viable alternatives to ensure fair pricing and maximize competition where possible.

How does the per-unit cost of these HUMS kits compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized aviation components?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and quantity of kits procured under this $24.6M award. However, given the sole-source nature and the duration, it's probable that the cost is higher than if competitive bids were solicited. Further analysis would require detailed technical specifications and market research.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring these critical HUMS kits to ensure future cost-effectiveness and supply chain resilience?

The long-term strategy should involve exploring opportunities for increased competition, potentially through breaking down the requirement into smaller lots or encouraging new entrants into the market. Developing stronger relationships with multiple qualified suppliers and considering performance-based contracts could also enhance cost-effectiveness and resilience.

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

Solicitation ID: N0001916R0013

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: RTX Corp (UEI: 001344142)

Address: 100 PANTON RD, VERGENNES, VT, 05491

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: $24,651,507

Exercised Options: $24,651,507

Current Obligation: $24,651,507

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $197,798

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001916G0013

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2017-02-27

Current End Date: 2021-04-30

Potential End Date: 2021-04-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2019-04-26

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