DoD's $29.8M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,823,522 ($29.8M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-05-13
End Date: 2023-11-30
Contract Duration: 931 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32.0K/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 $29.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $29.8 million awarded. 2. Sole-source award to L3Harris Technologies raises competition concerns. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The $29.8 million award for aircraft parts lacks a clear benchmark for value assessment due to its sole-source nature. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to determine if this price represents fair market value compared to similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these aircraft parts.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for critical aircraft components due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of Defense relies on L3Harris for specialized aircraft parts, highlighting potential supply chain risks if competition is not fostered. The 'BIG SAFARI' designation suggests a specialized or urgent need, but the procurement method warrants scrutiny for future acquisitions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to established vendor
- Supports Department of Defense needs
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on defense needs and technological advancements. Benchmarks are difficult without specific part details, but sole-source awards often deviate from competitive norms.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the Department of Defense obtained the best possible value. Accountability for the justification of a sole-source procurement should be clearly documented.
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 lacks transparency
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited opportunity for innovation from other vendors
- Risk of vendor lock-in
- Insufficient data for robust value assessment
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 $29.8 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 $29.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-05-13. End: 2023-11-30.
What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and does it align with federal procurement regulations for such exceptions?
The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Federal regulations typically require stringent justification for sole-source contracts, such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market competition. A review of the contract file would be necessary to confirm the validity and adherence to these regulations.
What is the estimated cost savings that could have been achieved if this contract had been competed?
Without a competitive bidding process, it is impossible to provide an exact figure for potential cost savings. However, historical data and industry analyses often suggest that competitive procurements can yield savings ranging from 10% to 30% or more compared to sole-source awards, depending on the complexity and market dynamics of the goods or services.
How does the unit cost of these aircraft parts compare to similar items procured competitively by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?
The provided data does not include unit cost information or comparable contract data. To assess this, one would need to identify the specific parts procured under 'BIG SAFARI' and then research publicly available contract databases for similar items awarded competitively. This comparison is crucial for evaluating the value for money in this sole-source transaction.
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: $29,823,522
Exercised Options: $29,823,522
Current Obligation: $29,823,522
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-05-13
Current End Date: 2023-11-30
Potential End Date: 2023-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-02-09
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