DoD Awards $12.8M for King Air Aircraft to Textron Aviation for Foreign Military Sales
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,834,358 ($12.8M)
Contractor: Textron Aviation Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-06-25
End Date: 2025-12-08
Contract Duration: 531 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: FIVE-YEAR FIRM-FIXED PRICE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW KING AIR B300 SERIES AIRCRAFT FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES REQUIREMENTS
Place of Performance
Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67215
State: Kansas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.8 million to TEXTRON AVIATION INC for work described as: FIVE-YEAR FIRM-FIXED PRICE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW KING AIR B300 SERIES AIRCRAFT FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES REQUIREMENTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Textron Aviation Inc. for new King Air B300 series aircraft. 2. The contract is a Firm-Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type. 3. This award is for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requirements, indicating international customer involvement. 4. The contract has a duration of 531 days, ending in December 2025.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a firm-fixed-price IDIQ, which provides cost certainty for the government. However, without competition, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar aircraft.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Supports foreign military sales, enhancing international partnerships and defense capabilities. Procurement of new aircraft ensures modern equipment for FMS requirements. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award impacts taxpayer value. The contract duration is relatively short, suggesting a specific, immediate need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in price negotiation
Positive Signals
- Supports FMS requirements
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability
Sector Analysis
The Aircraft Manufacturing sector is critical for defense procurement. Spending benchmarks for similar aircraft procurements vary widely based on model, customization, and quantity. This contract's value appears moderate for a specialized aircraft type.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Textron Aviation Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large, specialized defense procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Army under the Department of Defense. Oversight will focus on delivery schedules and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms. The sole-source nature warrants close scrutiny of pricing justification.
Related Government Programs
- Aircraft Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Potential for above-market pricing.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Reliance on a single vendor's pricing.
Tags
aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, ks, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.8 million to TEXTRON AVIATION INC. FIVE-YEAR FIRM-FIXED PRICE INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF NEW KING AIR B300 SERIES AIRCRAFT FOR FOREIGN MILITARY SALES REQUIREMENTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TEXTRON AVIATION 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 $12.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-25. End: 2025-12-08.
What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source instead of competing it?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the unavailability of alternative sources. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the specific reason. However, sole-source contracts often lack the price competition that drives down costs, potentially leading to less value for taxpayer money.
What is the risk of overpaying for these aircraft due to the lack of competition?
The primary risk of overpaying arises directly from the absence of competitive bidding. When only one vendor is considered, there's less incentive for them to offer the lowest possible price. The government must rely on the vendor's proposed pricing and potentially less rigorous negotiation, increasing the likelihood of paying a premium.
How does this procurement align with broader defense modernization goals?
This procurement directly supports foreign military sales requirements, which can be a component of broader U.S. foreign policy and defense cooperation strategies. By providing modern aircraft to allies, it can enhance interoperability and regional security. However, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this specific acquisition method are questionable due to the sole-source nature.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: W58RGZ24R0358
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Textron Inc
Address: 1 CESSNA BLVD, WICHITA, KS, 67215
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: $12,834,358
Exercised Options: $12,834,358
Current Obligation: $12,834,358
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ23D0032
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-25
Current End Date: 2025-12-08
Potential End Date: 2025-12-08 12:12:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-19
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