DoD's $103M Big Safari Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $102,894,108 ($102.9M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-30

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,645 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

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 $102.9 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. The contract value is substantial at $102.9 million. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole awardee, indicating limited competition. 3. The contract spans over four years, suggesting a long-term need. 4. The sector is 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing', a niche area within defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value is $102.9 million. Without specific unit details or comparable contract data, a precise per-unit cost assessment is not possible. However, the total value suggests a significant investment in aircraft parts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under a limited competition, as indicated by 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests that only a select number of vendors were considered, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: The $102.9 million awarded to a single vendor for aircraft parts represents a significant taxpayer investment. The lack of broad competition raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible price.

Public Impact

This contract directly supports the Department of the Air Force's 'Big Safari' program, which focuses on rapid acquisition of special operations and intelligence aircraft. The award to L3Harris Technologies, a major defense contractor, highlights their role in supplying critical components for advanced aerospace systems. The duration of the contract (ending 2026) indicates ongoing requirements for these specific aircraft parts, impacting long-term defense readiness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Lack of transparency in the award process.
Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price contract on specialized items.

Positive Signals

Supports critical 'Big Safari' program needs.
Award to established defense contractor L3Harris.
Long-term contract ensures supply chain stability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector, a specialized segment of the aerospace industry. Defense spending in this area is crucial for maintaining and upgrading military aviation capabilities, often involving unique and high-value components.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly involved in this specific contract award, as it was awarded to L3Harris Technologies. Further analysis would be needed to determine if L3Harris intends to use small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Big Safari' program itself is known for its agile acquisition approach. Oversight would focus on ensuring that this agility does not compromise accountability, particularly regarding cost controls and performance metrics within this limited competition award.

Related Government Programs

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition increases risk of non-competitive pricing.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes value assessment difficult.
Long contract duration could expose DoD to price fluctuations if not managed.
Specialized nature of parts may limit alternative sourcing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $102.9 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 $102.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-30. End: 2026-12-31.

What specific aircraft parts are being procured under this 'Big Safari' contract, and how do their costs compare to industry benchmarks for similar components?

The specific aircraft parts procured under the 'Big Safari' contract are not detailed in the provided data. To assess value, a comparison of the unit costs for these specialized parts against industry benchmarks for similar components would be necessary. Without this granular information, it's difficult to definitively determine if the $102.9 million represents fair market value.

Given the limited competition, what measures are in place to mitigate the risk of inflated pricing and ensure the Department of Defense receives the best possible value?

With limited competition, the primary risk is inflated pricing. Mitigation strategies could include robust negotiation tactics by the contracting officers, requiring detailed cost breakdowns from L3Harris, and potentially leveraging historical pricing data from similar, albeit limited, previous awards. Independent cost estimates and market research, even within a narrow field, are crucial.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the operational readiness and technological advancement goals of the Air Force's 'Big Safari' program?

This contract's effectiveness hinges on the timely delivery of high-quality, specialized aircraft parts that meet the unique requirements of the 'Big Safari' program. If L3Harris successfully provides these critical components, it directly enhances the operational readiness and technological capabilities of the targeted aircraft, fulfilling the program's rapid acquisition mission.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

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, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $102,894,108

Exercised Options: $102,894,108

Current Obligation: $102,894,108

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 78

Total Subaward Amount: $49,986,886

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline