DoD's BIG SAFARI Contract Reaches $26.25M for Air Force Aircraft Parts, Awarded Sole-Source

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,254,761 ($26.3M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-10-31

End Date: 2022-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,247 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BIG SAFARI

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10038

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.3 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant spending of over $26 million on aircraft parts. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole contractor, raising competition concerns. 3. The contract spans nearly four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The 'Other Aircraft Parts' sector is crucial for defense readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award of $26.25M for 1247 days suggests a substantial investment. Without a competitive benchmark or per-unit cost, it's difficult to definitively assess value, but the sole-source nature raises concerns about potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no competition. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively bid contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these aircraft parts.

Public Impact

Taxpayers funded over $26 million for aircraft parts through a sole-source contract. The Department of the Air Force relied on a single vendor, L3Harris Technologies. This contract supported the 'BIG SAFARI' initiative, likely for specialized aircraft needs. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) suggests ongoing operational requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Lack of transparency in per-unit costs makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical Department of Defense needs.
Long-term award indicates sustained operational support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector, a critical component of the aerospace and defense industry. Spending benchmarks in this niche can vary widely based on specialization, but the sole-source nature here warrants scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, as L3Harris Technologies is a large corporation. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award suggests limited oversight on price competitiveness. Further review would be needed to understand the justification for not pursuing a competitive process and ensure fair pricing.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency on value for money
No small business participation indicated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.3 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P.. BIG SAFARI

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 $26.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-10-31. End: 2022-03-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without access to the contract file, it's impossible to know the specific reason. However, the government should have conducted a price analysis based on historical data, commercial pricing, or other cost-estimating techniques to ensure the price was fair and reasonable despite the lack of competition.

How does the $26.25 million expenditure compare to similar aircraft parts contracts awarded competitively?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific parts and quantities. However, sole-source contracts are generally expected to be higher than competitively awarded ones due to the absence of market pressure. A benchmark analysis against similar, competitively procured contracts would be necessary to quantify the potential price difference and taxpayer impact.

What is the long-term strategic value of this sole-source relationship with L3Harris Technologies for the Air Force's aircraft parts needs?

The long-term value depends on L3Harris's unique capabilities and the criticality of the 'BIG SAFARI' program. If they possess proprietary technology or specialized manufacturing processes essential for these parts, the sole-source relationship might be strategically justified. However, continuous evaluation is needed to ensure this remains the most cost-effective approach for the government.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

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: $26,254,761

Exercised Options: $26,254,761

Current Obligation: $26,254,761

Actual Outlays: $2,489,625

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $11,706,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline