DoD Awards $6.9M for F-35 Radar & DAS Support to Northrop Grumman
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,893,015 ($6.9M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-03-30
Contract Duration: 546 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: F-35 RADAR AND DAS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31098
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $6.9 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: F-35 RADAR AND DAS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, large defense contractor. 2. Focus on critical F-35 components highlights strategic importance. 3. Potential for cost overruns exists due to sole-source nature. 4. Engineering services sector sees significant defense spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.9M for engineering services is difficult to benchmark without specific task details. However, given the specialized nature of F-35 components, pricing may reflect unique expertise and development costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Northrop Grumman. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated without competitive pressure, potentially increasing the overall cost of F-35 sustainment.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness of the F-35 fleet. Supports advanced radar and distributed aperture system technologies. Impacts national security through sustainment of a key defense asset.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for cost escalation without competitive oversight.
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical F-35 program.
- Awarded to established defense contractor.
- Firm fixed price contract provides some cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced aerospace systems. Defense spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and operational capabilities of military platforms.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and efficient use of taxpayer funds. Robust contract management by the Department of the Air Force is essential.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for cost overruns
- Dependency on a single contractor
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, ga, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $6.9 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. F-35 RADAR AND DAS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
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 $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-03-30.
What is the historical cost performance for similar F-35 radar and DAS support contracts awarded on a sole-source basis?
Historical data on sole-source F-35 radar and DAS support contracts is not publicly available in detail. However, sole-source awards generally carry a higher risk of inflated costs due to the absence of competitive bidding. Agencies typically rely on cost analysis and negotiation to mitigate this, but without comparative benchmarks, assessing true value is challenging.
What are the specific technical risks associated with this sole-source award for F-35 radar and DAS support?
The primary risk is the potential for Northrop Grumman to leverage its sole-source position to delay critical updates or increase prices, impacting the F-35 program's timeline and budget. Dependency on a single provider also creates a vulnerability if the contractor faces production issues or financial instability, potentially disrupting the supply chain for these vital components.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness and readiness of the F-35 program?
This contract is crucial for maintaining the operational effectiveness and readiness of the F-35 fleet by ensuring the continued support and potential upgrades for its advanced radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS). These systems are vital for situational awareness, targeting, and survivability, making their reliable sustainment directly linked to the aircraft's combat capability.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 1580A W NURSERY RD, LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD, 21090
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: $6,906,497
Exercised Options: $6,906,497
Current Obligation: $6,893,015
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-03-30
Potential End Date: 2026-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-03
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