DoD Awards $1.77 Billion to Textron Systems for Military Armored Vehicles, Tank Components

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,769,544,976 ($1.8B)

Contractor: Textron Systems Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-30

End Date: 2028-02-10

Contract Duration: 8,260 days

Daily Burn Rate: $214.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS County, LOUISIANA, 70129

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $1.77 billion to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant contract value highlights reliance on Textron Systems for critical defense equipment. 2. Lack of competition suggests potential for higher costs and limited innovation. 3. Long contract duration (2005-2028) raises concerns about adaptability to evolving threats and technologies. 4. Focus on armored vehicles and tank components indicates a specific, high-stakes defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $1.77 billion is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this represents fair market value compared to similar armored vehicle and tank component contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on such a large contract may result in taxpayers paying a premium for essential military hardware.

Public Impact

Ensures continued supply of critical armored vehicles and components for the U.S. Army. Supports jobs and economic activity within the defense manufacturing sector, particularly in Louisiana. Potential for extended reliance on a single provider could impact future technological advancements in military vehicles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on armored vehicles and tank components. Spending benchmarks in this area are highly dependent on specific vehicle types and technological sophistication, but $1.77 billion represents a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests limited opportunities for small businesses within this specific large-scale sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

The long duration and sole-source nature of this contract warrant close oversight to ensure continued value and prevent potential cost overruns or technological stagnation. Regular performance reviews and market analyses are crucial.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

military-armored-vehicle-tank-and-tank-c, department-of-defense, la, definitive-contract, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $1.77 billion to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.77 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-30. End: 2028-02-10.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and has it been re-evaluated over the contract's long lifespan?

Sole-source awards are typically justified by unique capabilities or urgent needs. For a contract spanning from 2005 to 2028, it's critical that the Department of Defense has consistently re-evaluated the necessity of this approach. Without competitive bidding, there's a risk that the government is not benefiting from the best available technology or pricing, especially as the defense landscape evolves.

How does the per-unit cost of these armored vehicles and components compare to industry benchmarks, given the lack of competition?

Without competitive bids, establishing a precise per-unit cost benchmark is challenging. The government relies on internal cost analyses and historical data, which may not reflect current market dynamics or potential savings from competition. A lack of transparency in pricing for sole-source contracts makes it difficult for taxpayers to ascertain if they are receiving fair value for their investment in military hardware.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and technological relevance of the armored vehicles and components procured under this long-term, non-competed contract?

Given the contract's extended duration and sole-source nature, proactive measures are essential. This includes rigorous performance monitoring, incorporating clauses for technological upgrades, and conducting independent assessments of the equipment's effectiveness against evolving threats. Without these safeguards, there's a risk of procuring outdated or less effective systems, potentially impacting military readiness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther Transportation Equipment ManufacturingMilitary Armored Vehicle, Tank, and Tank Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MOTOR VEHICLES, CYCLES, TRAILERS

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: Textron Inc (UEI: 001338979)

Address: 19401 CHEF MENTEUR HWY, NEW ORLEANS, LA, 70129

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $141,175,673

Exercised Options: $141,175,673

Current Obligation: $1,769,544,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2005-06-30

Current End Date: 2028-02-10

Potential End Date: 2028-02-10 12:02:00

Last Modified: 2016-09-28

More Contracts from Textron Systems Corp

View all Textron Systems Corp federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending