Air Force awards $9.6M contract for Next Generation Scope Command fielding to Rockwell Collins, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,597,808 ($9.6M)
Contractor: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-12-30
End Date: 2028-03-31
Contract Duration: 822 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: NEXT GENERATION SCOPE COMMAND - RT-2200A FIELDING PHASE III
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $9.6 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. for work described as: NEXT GENERATION SCOPE COMMAND - RT-2200A FIELDING PHASE III Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 2. Long contract duration of 822 days suggests a complex and extended service requirement. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty but may limit flexibility. 4. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component for advanced military systems. 5. Geographic location of the contractor in Iowa may have implications for local economic impact. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large defense procurements.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $9.6 million for engineering services appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for 'Next Generation Scope Command' fielding, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the sole-source nature of the award means there was no direct price competition to establish a market-driven rate. Comparing this to similar engineering service contracts for advanced system fielding would be necessary for a more robust valuation. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Rockwell Collins, Inc., was solicited. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which typically leads to a wider range of proposals and potentially lower prices due to market pressures. The justification for a sole-source award would need to be thoroughly documented by the agency to ensure it was necessary and in the government's best interest.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete and can potentially result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force, which will receive the fielded Next Generation Scope Command system. Services delivered include engineering support crucial for the successful implementation and operation of advanced military technology. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the Air Force units receiving the system, with potential indirect economic benefits in Iowa where the contractor is based. Workforce implications include specialized engineering roles required for system fielding and maintenance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure taxpayer value.
- Contract duration could indicate potential for scope creep or unforeseen challenges.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Rockwell Collins is an established defense contractor with relevant expertise.
- Contracting for advanced technology fielding is essential for maintaining military readiness.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced command and control systems. The market for such specialized engineering services is often dominated by a few key players due to high barriers to entry, including technical expertise, security clearances, and established relationships with government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other advanced system fielding contracts for military branches.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the sole-source nature and the specialized technical requirements, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be mandated unless proactively pursued by the prime contractor. The absence of a set-aside means small businesses did not have a direct opportunity to compete for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, but contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Air Force Command and Control Systems
- Defense Engineering Services
- Next Generation Systems Fielding
- Rockwell Collins Defense Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for price inefficiency
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, rockwell-collins-inc, engineering-services, sole-source, firm-fixed-price, next-generation-scope-command, system-fielding, iowa, moderate-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $9.6 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.. NEXT GENERATION SCOPE COMMAND - RT-2200A FIELDING PHASE III
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-30. End: 2028-03-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'Next Generation Scope Command' and its operational importance to the Air Force?
The 'Next Generation Scope Command' (NGSC) is a system designed to enhance command and control capabilities for the U.S. Air Force. While specific details are often classified or proprietary, such systems typically involve advanced communication, data processing, and situational awareness tools that are critical for modern military operations. Fielding these systems involves integrating new hardware and software, training personnel, and ensuring interoperability with existing infrastructure. The operational importance lies in maintaining a technological edge, improving mission effectiveness, and ensuring the safety and success of air operations in complex environments. The fielding phase, as indicated by this contract, is a crucial step in transitioning the technology from development to operational use.
What is Rockwell Collins, Inc.'s track record with similar defense engineering and system fielding contracts?
Rockwell Collins, Inc. (now part of Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company) has a long and extensive history of providing advanced technology solutions and engineering services to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. They are well-established in areas such as avionics, communication systems, navigation, and electronic warfare. Their track record includes numerous contracts for the development, integration, and fielding of complex systems for various military platforms, including aircraft. While specific details of past performance on 'scope command' type systems may be sensitive, their general expertise in complex defense system integration and engineering suggests a strong capability to execute this contract. Past performance reviews and contract awards data would provide more granular insights into their specific success rates and areas of specialization.
How does the $9.6 million contract value compare to other Air Force engineering service contracts of similar scope and duration?
Benchmarking the $9.6 million contract value requires comparing it to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Air Force for advanced system fielding. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable sole-source contracts for 'scope command' type systems, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for complex engineering and integration efforts over a period of approximately 2.5 years (822 days), this value is within a typical range for specialized defense procurements. Fully competed contracts for similar services might yield different price points due to competitive pressures. The firm fixed-price nature also influences the overall cost structure. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (like 541330 - Engineering Services) and similar contract durations and technical complexities.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of critical defense system fielding?
The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the government may not achieve the best possible price. Another risk is reduced innovation, as the sole provider may have less incentive to explore novel or more cost-effective solutions compared to a competitive environment. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of available qualified vendors or a reliance on a single supplier, which can create supply chain vulnerabilities. Ensuring robust oversight and negotiation by the contracting agency is crucial to mitigate these risks and confirm that the award is indeed in the government's best interest and represents fair value.
What is the historical spending pattern for 'Next Generation Scope Command' or similar systems within the Department of Defense?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for 'Next Generation Scope Command' or analogous systems within the Department of Defense is essential for understanding the long-term investment in such capabilities. This specific contract is for the 'fielding phase III,' suggesting prior investments in earlier phases (e.g., development, testing, initial deployment). Historical data would reveal the total lifecycle cost of these systems, including research and development, procurement, fielding, sustainment, and upgrades. Examining spending trends over multiple fiscal years can indicate whether investments are increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and how this particular system fits into the broader defense modernization budget. Without specific historical data points for 'NGSC,' one would look at spending on other advanced command and control, communication, and intelligence systems to infer trends and budget priorities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: RTX Corp
Address: 400 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52498
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: $9,597,808
Exercised Options: $9,597,808
Current Obligation: $9,597,808
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA810222D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-30
Current End Date: 2028-03-31
Potential End Date: 2028-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-30
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