Coast Guard awards $617K for HC-130J aircraft display unit repair to L3Harris Technologies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,704 ($61.7K)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-08-10

Contract Duration: 131 days

Daily Burn Rate: $471/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNIT, FLIGHT INSTRUMENT FOR USE ON HC-130J AIRCRAFT.

Place of Performance

Location: ALPHARETTA, FORSYTH County, GEORGIA, 30004

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $61,704 to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNIT, FLIGHT INSTRUMENT FOR USE ON HC-130J AIRCRAFT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on a critical flight instrument repair, essential for aircraft operational readiness. 2. Sole-source award to L3Harris Technologies, Inc. raises questions about competitive pricing and value. 3. Limited competition may indicate specialized nature of the repair or a lack of market alternatives. 4. The contract duration of 131 days suggests a focused scope of work for the display unit repair. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs, but price validation is crucial given sole-source nature. 6. Geographic location of performance in Georgia (GA) may have implications for local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $617,040 for the repair of a flight instrument display unit appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized aerospace components. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the price against market alternatives or assess if the government received the best possible value. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition limits the ability to verify pricing efficiency. Further analysis would require comparing this unit's repair cost to similar components or previous repair contracts for the HC-130J aircraft.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning L3Harris Technologies, Inc. was the only vendor considered. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, often due to proprietary technology, unique expertise, or urgent needs. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could drive down prices through market forces. This raises concerns about whether the selected vendor's pricing is optimal and if alternative solutions were overlooked.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage competition to secure lower prices, potentially resulting in higher costs for taxpayers. Without competitive pressure, there is a reduced incentive for the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from the repair of essential flight instruments, ensuring the continued operational capability of its HC-130J aircraft fleet. This contract directly supports aviation maintenance and repair services, contributing to the readiness of critical Coast Guard search and rescue and maritime patrol missions. The repair services will be performed in Georgia (GA), potentially creating or sustaining jobs within the local aerospace support industry. The HC-130J aircraft are vital for national security and homeland defense missions, so their operational availability is a public benefit.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potential value for taxpayer dollars.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to non-competitive award.
Potential for overpayment if pricing is not rigorously justified without market comparison.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical aircraft component repair.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established aerospace technology company (L3Harris) suggests technical capability.
Focus on essential flight instrument repair directly supports operational readiness.

Sector Analysis

The aerospace repair and maintenance sector is characterized by high technical expertise, stringent regulatory requirements, and often specialized components. Contracts for aircraft parts and repairs, especially for military and government aircraft like the HC-130J, are frequently awarded to original equipment manufacturers or specialized MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) providers. The market can be concentrated, with a few large players dominating specific aircraft platforms. Benchmarking spending in this area requires comparing costs for similar component repairs across different aircraft types and agencies, considering factors like complexity and lead time.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a specific small business set-aside component. The prime contractor, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., is a large aerospace and defense company. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this particular contract, as it is a direct award to a large entity for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a sole-source award, there may be increased scrutiny to ensure the necessity and justification for the non-competitive procurement. Transparency is limited due to the lack of a competitive process. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or alleged during the performance or administration of the contract.

Related Government Programs

HC-130J Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Aerospace Component Repair Services
Flight Instrument Systems
Department of Homeland Security Aviation Support
U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for price non-competitiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $61,704 to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. REPAIR OF DISPLAY UNIT, FLIGHT INSTRUMENT FOR USE ON HC-130J AIRCRAFT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61,704.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-08-10.

What is the track record of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. in providing repair services for HC-130J aircraft components?

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is a major aerospace and defense contractor with extensive experience in supporting various military and government aircraft platforms, including the C-130 family. Their capabilities often encompass avionics, mission systems, and structural components. For the HC-130J variant specifically, L3Harris is known to provide integrated systems and support. While this contract focuses on a specific display unit repair, the company's broader experience suggests a strong technical foundation. However, the specific performance history related to this particular display unit repair, especially under previous contracts or for other operators, would require a deeper dive into their contract performance data and any associated quality metrics or past performance evaluations.

How does the $617,040 contract value compare to similar repairs for HC-130J flight instruments?

Benchmarking the $617,040 contract value for the repair of a flight instrument display unit on the HC-130J aircraft is challenging without access to a competitive bidding history or a database of similar sole-source awards. Typically, specialized avionics repairs for complex military aircraft can range significantly based on the component's sophistication, required turnaround time, and the extent of the damage. Given that this is a sole-source award to L3Harris Technologies, Inc., a primary contractor for such systems, the price may reflect proprietary knowledge and specialized tooling. A comparative analysis would ideally involve examining historical repair costs for this specific part, or comparable avionics units across the C-130 family, and assessing if the current price aligns with industry standards for such specialized, non-competitive services.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract for display unit repair?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for a lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying more than necessary. Without multiple bids, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single supplier for critical repairs, potentially limiting future options or negotiating power. Furthermore, the absence of a competitive process reduces transparency and makes it harder to independently verify the fairness and reasonableness of the price. There's also a risk that the contractor may not prioritize this repair if they have more lucrative opportunities, potentially impacting turnaround time, although the firm-fixed-price nature aims to mitigate some performance risks.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for this specific repair?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in controlling costs and providing budget certainty for the government, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. For a repair service like this, where the scope of work is likely well-defined (repair of a specific display unit), FFP is appropriate. It incentivizes the contractor to perform the work efficiently to maximize profit. However, the effectiveness in ensuring overall value is somewhat diminished by the sole-source nature of the award. While the price is fixed, the government cannot be certain it is the *best* possible fixed price without competitive benchmarking. The value is thus constrained by the lack of market pressure to drive the fixed price down.

What are the historical spending patterns for HC-130J aircraft maintenance and repair within the U.S. Coast Guard?

Historical spending patterns for HC-130J aircraft maintenance and repair within the U.S. Coast Guard typically involve significant investments due to the complexity and operational demands placed on these aircraft. Spending often includes scheduled depot-level maintenance, unscheduled repairs, component overhauls, and upgrades to avionics and mission systems. The HC-130J is a critical asset for long-range search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and homeland security missions, necessitating continuous upkeep. Annual spending can fluctuate based on the fleet's age, operational tempo, and specific upgrade programs. While specific aggregate figures for 'display unit repair' are not publicly itemized, overall maintenance and repair budgets for such specialized aircraft platforms are substantial, often running into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars annually across the fleet, encompassing a wide range of services and parts.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc

Address: 1355 BLUEGRASS LAKES PKWY, ALPHARETTA, GA, 30004

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: $61,704

Exercised Options: $61,704

Current Obligation: $61,704

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z03823DH0000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline