DoD's $39M BIG SAFARI Contract Awarded to BAE Systems for Aircraft Parts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,996,033 ($39.0M)

Contractor: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-01-29

End Date: 2022-09-30

Contract Duration: 975 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BIG SAFARI

Place of Performance

Location: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03060

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $39.0 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $38.99M for aircraft parts. 2. Sole-source award to BAE Systems raises questions about competition. 3. Contract duration of 975 days suggests a substantial project. 4. The 'BIG SAFARI' program name implies a focus on advanced or sensitive technology.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $38.99M is substantial. Without comparable contract data or a clear justification for the sole-source award, it is difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive or represents good value for the taxpayer.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning BAE Systems was the only vendor considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in taxpayers paying a premium for the aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific nature of 'BIG SAFARI' could involve critical defense capabilities, making transparency crucial. Lack of small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for smaller innovative firms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-sourcing.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known defense contractor (BAE Systems).
Firm Fixed Price contract type can help control costs if negotiated well.

Sector Analysis

The award falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining military readiness. Benchmarks for similar sole-source contracts are difficult to establish without more data on the specific components and services provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (sb: false). This represents a missed opportunity to leverage the capabilities of smaller firms and promote economic diversity within the defense supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable. Accountability would involve reviewing the justification for not competing the contract and assessing the long-term value.

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 overpricing
Limited transparency
No small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $39.0 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.. BIG SAFARI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION 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 $39.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-29. End: 2022-09-30.

What specific aircraft parts or auxiliary equipment were procured under this 'BIG SAFARI' contract, and why was a sole-source award deemed necessary?

The specific components procured under the 'BIG SAFARI' contract are not detailed in the provided data. The necessity for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent requirements where only one vendor can meet the demand. A thorough review of the contract file and justification documentation would be required to understand the specific reasons for this procurement approach.

How does the $38.99 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar aircraft parts, especially considering the sole-source nature?

Without detailed specifications of the parts and services, direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, sole-source contracts inherently carry a higher risk of inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. The $38.99 million figure should be scrutinized against the estimated cost of procuring similar items through a competitive process to determine potential overpayment.

What is the long-term strategic value or operational impact of the 'BIG SAFARI' program, and how does this contract contribute to it?

The 'BIG SAFARI' program likely relates to advanced or specialized aerospace technology, potentially involving intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, or electronic warfare capabilities, given the name's common association. This contract's contribution would be in providing essential components or systems for that program. Understanding the program's strategic goals is key to assessing the effectiveness and necessity of this specific procurement.

Industry Classification

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

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: Ball Corporation

Address: 65 SPIT BROOK RD, NASHUA, NH, 03060

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,996,633

Exercised Options: $38,996,633

Current Obligation: $38,996,033

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $965,788

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3028

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline