DoD Awards $50M to Textron Aviation for Iraq Peace Dragon ISR Mod & Scorpion Ground Station

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,196,812 ($50.2M)

Contractor: Textron Aviation Defense LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-03-24

End Date: 2024-06-20

Contract Duration: 3,376 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IRAQ PEACE DRAGON ISR MOD AND SCORPION GROUND STATION

Place of Performance

Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67206

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $50.2 million to TEXTRON AVIATION DEFENSE LLC for work described as: IRAQ PEACE DRAGON ISR MOD AND SCORPION GROUND STATION Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $50.2M awarded to Textron Aviation Defense LLC. 2. The contract is for modification of ISR systems and ground stations, crucial for intelligence gathering. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation. 4. The sector is Aircraft Manufacturing, a key area for defense capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value is substantial, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal. Benchmarking against similar modification contracts would be necessary.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not available for competition, suggesting a sole-source or limited source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these critical ISR modifications.

Public Impact

Enhances intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for military operations. Supports ongoing operations in potentially volatile regions like Iraq. Investment in advanced aircraft modification technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns due to limited price discovery
Long contract duration (9+ years)

Positive Signals

Critical defense capability enhancement
Long-term support and modification

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Aircraft Manufacturing sector, which is vital for national defense. Spending in this area is often high due to the complexity and strategic importance of aircraft and related systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of the Air Force. Oversight would focus on ensuring the modifications meet technical specifications and the pricing remains justified despite the lack of competition.

Related Government Programs

Aircraft Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for cost overruns
Long contract duration without clear performance reviews
Limited transparency on pricing justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $50.2 million to TEXTRON AVIATION DEFENSE LLC. IRAQ PEACE DRAGON ISR MOD AND SCORPION GROUND STATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXTRON AVIATION DEFENSE LLC.

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 $50.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-03-24. End: 2024-06-20.

What is the justification for awarding this contract without competition, and how does the government ensure fair pricing in such cases?

The justification for non-competitive awards typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or the unavailability of other sources. The government employs various methods to ensure fair pricing, including historical price analysis, cost realism assessments, and independent government cost estimates, even without direct competition.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical ISR modifications?

The primary risks include inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure, potential for vendor complacency leading to lower quality or delayed delivery, and a lack of incentive for innovation. This can also limit the government's flexibility if requirements change or better solutions emerge.

How effective is the 'Iraq Peace Dragon ISR Mod and Scorpion Ground Station' likely to be in enhancing operational capabilities?

The effectiveness hinges on the quality of the modifications and the integration of the ground station. Assuming Textron Aviation delivers as per specifications, these enhancements should improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination, thereby boosting situational awareness and operational decision-making for forces in the region.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Textron Inc

Address: 201 S GREENWICH, WICHITA, KS, 67207

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,516,242

Exercised Options: $50,516,242

Current Obligation: $50,196,812

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline