DoD's $42.8M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,838,467 ($42.8M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-03-31

End Date: 2022-03-31

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 $42.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. The Department of Defense awarded a $42.8 million contract for 'BIG SAFARI' to L3Harris Technologies. 2. This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. 3. The award was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery. 4. The contract's value is significant within its specific niche. 5. The duration of the contract is a single day, suggesting a specific, short-term need.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $42.8 million for a single day's delivery order is substantial. Without a competitive process, 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

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition may have limited price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a $42.8 million contract raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. The specific nature of 'BIG SAFARI' is unclear, impacting public understanding of the expenditure. The short duration suggests a highly specific, potentially urgent, requirement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High dollar value for a single day
Unclear contract purpose ('BIG SAFARI')

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known defense contractor (L3Harris)
Specific sector focus (Aircraft Parts)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector, which is a critical component of the defense industrial base. Spending in this area is often driven by specialized needs and long lead times for components.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large, specialized sole-source contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement was robust and that the pricing was fair. Accountability for the expenditure rests with the Department of the Air Force.

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
High dollar value
Short contract duration (1 day)
Unclear contract purpose

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $42.8 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 $42.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature and necessity of the 'BIG SAFARI' requirement that justified a sole-source award of this magnitude?

The specific nature of 'BIG SAFARI' is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such designations might refer to classified projects, unique technological requirements, or urgent operational needs where only one contractor possesses the necessary expertise or components. Without further information, it's impossible to ascertain the precise necessity that justified bypassing the competitive bidding process for this $42.8 million contract.

What is the risk associated with awarding a $42.8 million contract for a single day's delivery without competition?

The primary risk is financial: the government may have overpaid due to the lack of competitive pressure to drive down prices. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and a missed opportunity to foster competition among other capable suppliers. The short duration, while unusual for such a large sum, could indicate a critical, time-sensitive need, but the lack of competition still presents a significant financial risk.

How effective is the Department of Defense in ensuring value for money when awarding sole-source contracts for specialized aircraft parts?

The effectiveness is difficult to gauge from this single data point. While L3Harris is a reputable contractor, the 'NOT COMPETED' status inherently limits the ability to assess value for money through market comparison. Effective oversight would involve rigorous price analysis, justification reviews, and potentially negotiation to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, even without competition. The single-day duration for such a large sum also raises questions about the efficiency of the procurement strategy.

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: 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: $48,738,467

Exercised Options: $48,738,467

Current Obligation: $42,838,467

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $365,244

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline