DoD's $16.3M contract for electronic warfare suite components awarded to L3Harris Technologies, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,362,382 ($16.4M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-03-07
End Date: 2026-08-07
Contract Duration: 1,249 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 1A22 MICROCIRCUIT COMPONENT ASSEMBLIES (MCAS) REDESIGN FOR ELECTRONIC COMBAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECISAP) AN/ALQ-211(V) 4/9 ADVANCED INTEGRATED DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUITE (AIDEWS) PRODUCTION.
Place of Performance
Location: CLIFTON, PASSAIC County, NEW JERSEY, 07014
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: 1A22 MICROCIRCUIT COMPONENT ASSEMBLIES (MCAS) REDESIGN FOR ELECTRONIC COMBAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECISAP) AN/ALQ-211(V) 4/9 ADVANCED INTEGRATED DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUITE (AIDEWS) PRODUCTION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for redesign and production of microcircuit component assemblies for an advanced electronic warfare suite. 2. Focus on international security assistance programs indicates a strategic global role for the technology. 3. The contract's duration of over three years suggests a significant, long-term need for these components. 4. Awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger, existing contract vehicle. 5. The specific nature of the components points to a specialized niche within the defense electronics sector. 6. Potential for follow-on work or sustainment activities given the production nature of the award.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar redesign efforts. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as contractor incentives are aligned with cost recovery and a fixed profit. However, the fixed fee component provides some cost certainty for the government. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of the redesign and the complexity of the microcircuit assemblies.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is often used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition means the government did not benefit from price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple offers had been considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses and can result in taxpayers paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure on pricing.
Public Impact
International allies and partner nations receiving electronic warfare capabilities through security assistance programs. Enhanced electronic warfare capabilities for platforms equipped with the AN/ALQ-211(V)4/9 AIDEWS. Support for the U.S. Air Force's sustainment and modernization efforts for critical defense systems. Potential impact on the defense electronics manufacturing workforce, particularly in specialized microcircuit assembly.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential innovation from other firms.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs effectively.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical component redesign and production could pose supply chain risks.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a specific, critical need for advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
- Award to an established defense contractor (L3Harris) suggests a degree of technical capability and reliability.
- Focus on international security assistance highlights strategic importance and potential for interoperability.
Sector Analysis
The defense electronics sector is characterized by high R&D costs, long product lifecycles, and significant government procurement. Contracts for electronic warfare systems are crucial for maintaining technological superiority. This contract fits within the broader market for advanced avionics and electronic defense systems, a segment dominated by a few large prime contractors and specialized component suppliers. Spending in this area is driven by evolving threat landscapes and the need for sophisticated countermeasures.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of microcircuit component redesign and production for advanced electronic warfare systems, it is likely that the prime contractor, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., will perform the majority of the work. There may be opportunities for small businesses to act as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The absence of a set-aside suggests the focus was on specialized capabilities rather than broad small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. The contract type necessitates close monitoring of costs incurred by the contractor to ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate and that costs are reasonable and allocable. Transparency is typically managed through regular reporting requirements and audits. The Inspector General's office within the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction for investigating fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.
Related Government Programs
- AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS)
- Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP)
- Department of Defense Microcircuit Procurement
- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
- CPFF contract type requires robust government oversight.
- Potential for supply chain disruptions in specialized component manufacturing.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, air-force, electronic-warfare, microcircuit-assemblies, l3harris-technologies, sole-source, cost-plus-fixed-fee, international-security-assistance, new-jersey, engineering-services, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. 1A22 MICROCIRCUIT COMPONENT ASSEMBLIES (MCAS) REDESIGN FOR ELECTRONIC COMBAT INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ECISAP) AN/ALQ-211(V) 4/9 ADVANCED INTEGRATED DEFENSIVE ELECTRONIC WARFARE SUITE (AIDEWS) PRODUCTION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $16.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-07. End: 2026-08-07.
What is the historical spending by the Department of Defense on the AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS program and its components?
Historical spending data for the AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS program and its specific components like microcircuit assemblies is often detailed within the Department of Defense's procurement databases and budget justifications. While the current contract is valued at approximately $16.3 million, understanding the total program cost over its lifecycle provides crucial context. This includes prior development, production, sustainment, and upgrade contracts. Analyzing past spending patterns can reveal trends in program funding, identify periods of increased investment, and highlight the long-term commitment to this electronic warfare system. Without access to specific historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS-NG or agency-specific financial systems), a precise figure is unavailable, but such systems would typically show cumulative obligations over several fiscal years, potentially reaching hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars for major defense systems like AIDEWS.
How does the cost of this microcircuit component redesign compare to similar efforts in the defense electronics sector?
Benchmarking the cost of this $16.3 million microcircuit component redesign against similar efforts is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and access to proprietary data from other contractors. However, factors influencing cost include the complexity of the microcircuits, the extent of the redesign (e.g., minor modifications vs. complete re-engineering), the required performance specifications, and the production volume. Defense microelectronics are inherently expensive due to stringent reliability, radiation hardening, and performance requirements. If this redesign involves incorporating new technologies or meeting significantly higher performance standards for the AN/ALQ-211 system, the cost might be considered reasonable within the high-stakes defense electronics market. Conversely, if the redesign is incremental, the cost could be scrutinized, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
What are the key performance risks associated with this contract for L3Harris Technologies, Inc.?
Key performance risks for L3Harris Technologies, Inc. on this contract include technical challenges in redesigning and producing the microcircuit component assemblies (MCAS) to meet the stringent specifications of the AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS. Ensuring the redesigned components integrate seamlessly with the existing electronic warfare suite and perform reliably under demanding operational conditions presents a significant technical hurdle. Schedule risk is also present, as delays in redesign or production could impact the delivery timeline for the international security assistance program. Furthermore, managing the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure requires careful cost control to maintain profitability while meeting performance requirements. Any unforeseen technical issues or supply chain disruptions could exacerbate these risks, potentially impacting the fixed fee earned by the contractor.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the operational readiness of U.S. Air Force and allied electronic warfare capabilities?
This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the operational readiness of electronic warfare capabilities. By funding the redesign and production of critical microcircuit component assemblies for the AN/ALQ-211 AIDEWS, it ensures the continued availability and potential enhancement of a key defensive electronic warfare system. This directly supports the U.S. Air Force's ability to equip its platforms and those of its allies with up-to-date electronic warfare defenses. Improved components can lead to increased reliability, better performance against evolving threats, and extended service life for the AIDEWS. For international partners receiving these systems via security assistance, it means access to crucial self-protection capabilities, thereby bolstering regional security and interoperability with U.S. forces.
Are there any known issues or concerns regarding L3Harris Technologies' past performance on similar defense contracts?
Assessing L3Harris Technologies' past performance requires access to contractor performance evaluation reports (CPARS) and other government quality assurance data, which are typically not publicly available. However, L3Harris is a major defense contractor with extensive experience in electronic warfare systems and complex component manufacturing. While specific issues are not detailed in the provided data, large contractors can face challenges related to cost overruns, schedule delays, or technical performance on complex programs. Government agencies evaluate contractor performance on metrics such as technical quality, cost control, schedule adherence, and management. Without specific CPARS data, it's presumed the Air Force's decision to award this sole-source contract implies a level of confidence in L3Harris's capability and past performance relevant to this requirement.
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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 77 RIVER RD, CLIFTON, NJ, 07014
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,362,382
Exercised Options: $16,362,382
Current Obligation: $16,362,382
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA852317D0005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-07
Current End Date: 2026-08-07
Potential End Date: 2026-08-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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