DoD's $70.7M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $70,711,663 ($70.7M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-09-30
End Date: 2023-09-30
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $96.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
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 $70.7 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $70.7 million awarded. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole contractor. 3. Contract duration is 730 days. 4. The award falls under 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials award, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The awarded amount is substantial, but without specific performance metrics or benchmarks, it's difficult to definitively assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $70.7 million contract may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had vied for the work.
Public Impact
Impacts the Department of the Air Force's operational capabilities. Supports the 'BIG SAFARI' program, likely involving specialized aircraft. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials contract type can inflate costs.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Air Force program.
- Awarded to established defense contractor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. Spending in this sector is often driven by national security needs and technological advancements, with significant government investment.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a large defense contractor. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award, suggesting limited opportunities for SMBs in this instance.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'BIG SAFARI' program likely has internal oversight mechanisms. However, the sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds.
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
- Time and Materials contract type
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on justification
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $70.7 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 $70.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2023-09-30.
What specific aircraft or systems does the 'BIG SAFARI' program support, and how critical are these parts to national security?
The 'BIG SAFARI' program is known to support a variety of special mission aircraft and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms for the U.S. Air Force. The parts procured under this contract are likely critical for maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of these specialized assets, which are vital for intelligence gathering and national security operations.
What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure the price was fair and reasonable?
Sole-source awards typically require a justification, such as a lack of available competition or unique capabilities. For this contract, the justification for not competing needs to be examined. Price reasonableness is usually assessed through cost analysis, comparison to similar contracts, or negotiation, but the effectiveness of these measures in a sole-source scenario can be limited.
How will the performance of L3Harris Technologies be monitored under this Time and Materials contract to prevent cost overruns and ensure timely delivery?
Effective oversight of Time and Materials contracts is crucial. The Department of Defense should have established procedures for monitoring labor hours, material costs, and progress against delivery schedules. Regular reviews, audits, and clear performance metrics are essential to ensure that the contractor is delivering value and that costs remain within acceptable limits.
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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $71,108,548
Exercised Options: $71,108,548
Current Obligation: $70,711,663
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $500,311
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-30
Current End Date: 2023-09-30
Potential End Date: 2023-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
More Contracts from L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
- BIG Safari — $660.1M (Department of Defense)
- BIG Safari — $579.0M (Department of Defense)
- BIG Safari — $371.6M (Department of Defense)
- Java MAN III — $358.6M (Department of Defense)
- Acat III BIG Safari — $341.4M (Department of Defense)
View all L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)