DoD's $44.4M BIG SAFARI EPF Contract Awarded to L3Harris Without Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,448,222 ($44.4M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-12-08

End Date: 2020-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,209 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ACAT III BIG SAFARI BLOCK I EPF

Place of Performance

Location: GREENVILLE, HUNT County, TEXAS, 75402

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: ACAT III BIG SAFARI BLOCK I EPF Key points: 1. Significant spending on a "NOT COMPETED" contract for aircraft parts. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole awardee, raising questions about market competition. 3. The contract duration of 1209 days suggests a long-term need. 4. The 'Other Aircraft Parts' sector is broad, making specific benchmarks difficult.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $44.4M over approximately 3.3 years is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar aircraft parts contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was "NOT COMPETED," indicating a sole-source award. This lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive process, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the lack of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense continues to rely on sole-source contracts for critical components. Transparency in defense contracting is crucial for accountability and efficient spending.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment
Sole-source award

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity (L3Harris)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area can vary widely based on specific aircraft and technological requirements. Benchmarks are hard to establish without more detail on the 'EPF' system.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The "NOT COMPETED" status warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement was valid and that the price paid was reasonable. Accountability for non-competitive awards is essential.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency
No small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P.. ACAT III BIG SAFARI BLOCK I EPF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P..

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 $44.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-08. End: 2020-03-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was it adequately documented?

The provided data states the contract was "NOT COMPETED." A full justification would typically involve factors like urgency, unique capabilities, or lack of market availability. Without access to the contract file, the specific documented justification remains unknown, but the lack of competition itself raises a red flag regarding potential cost efficiencies.

How does the unit cost or overall price of this contract compare to similar aircraft parts procured competitively by the DoD?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific 'EPF' components and their technical specifications. However, the absence of competition inherently suggests that the price may be higher than what a competitive bidding process would yield. A benchmark analysis against comparable, competitively sourced parts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

What is the long-term strategic value and operational necessity of the 'BIG SAFARI BLOCK I EPF' system that justified a non-competitive award?

The 'BIG SAFARI BLOCK I EPF' likely refers to a specific system or component critical to Air Force operations. The long duration and sole-source award suggest it's a vital, possibly unique, part of their fleet. Understanding its role in mission effectiveness and the availability of alternatives is key to assessing the value proposition beyond just the price.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)

Address: 10001 JACK FINNEY BLVD, GREENVILLE, TX, 75402

Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,448,222

Exercised Options: $44,448,222

Current Obligation: $44,448,222

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline