DoD's $37.2M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,217,508 ($37.2M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-07-01

End Date: 2022-07-30

Contract Duration: 759 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49.0K/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: GREENVILLE, HUNT County, TEXAS, 75402

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $37.2 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $37.2 million awarded. 2. Sole-source award to L3Harris Technologies raises competition concerns. 3. Contract duration of 759 days suggests a substantial project. 4. Focus on 'Other Aircraft Parts' indicates a specialized defense need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $37.2 million 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 awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning there was no open competition. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this $37.2 million award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price for these aircraft parts.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific nature of 'BIG SAFARI' and its components is unclear to the public. Reliance on a single contractor for critical aircraft parts could pose supply chain risks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of transparency in 'BIG SAFARI' program
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to an established defense contractor (L3Harris)

Sector Analysis

The Department of Defense frequently procures aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. Spending in this sector is substantial, but competitive bidding is crucial to ensure value for money.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a large corporation, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Defense obtained fair pricing and that this approach was justified.

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 program details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.2 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 $37.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-01. End: 2022-07-30.

What specific aircraft parts or systems does 'BIG SAFARI' encompass, and why was competition deemed unnecessary?

The specific components of 'BIG SAFARI' are not detailed in the provided data. The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors like unique technical requirements, urgent needs, or the unavailability of alternative sources. Without further information, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reasons for foregoing competition in this instance.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for critical aircraft parts?

Sole-source contracts can increase the risk of overpayment due to a lack of competitive pressure on pricing. They can also lead to vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch suppliers if performance issues arise or if better alternatives become available. Furthermore, a single supplier might face production disruptions, impacting the availability of critical parts for national security.

How does the $37.2 million price tag compare to similar aircraft parts procurements, and what is the estimated taxpayer impact?

Without competitive bidding data, a direct price comparison is challenging. However, the absence of competition suggests a potential for inflated costs. The taxpayer impact is the difference between the awarded price and what might have been achieved through a competitive process, which could be significant given the contract's substantial value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

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: L3harris Technologies, Inc

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: $37,217,508

Exercised Options: $37,217,508

Current Obligation: $37,217,508

Actual Outlays: $2,064,095

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline