DoD's BIG SAFARI Contract Awarded to L3Harris for $22.17M, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,169,454 ($22.2M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-08-22
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,135 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
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 $22.2 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. The contract value is $22.17 million, awarded to L3Harris Technologies. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole contractor, indicating a lack of competition. 3. The contract is for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. 4. The award method is 'NOT COMPETED', raising potential concerns about price discovery.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without competitive benchmarks, assessing the pricing's reasonableness is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on this $22.17 million contract may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Department of the Air Force relies on a single vendor for critical aircraft components. The long duration (over 3 years) of this sole-source contract warrants close monitoring.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of transparency in pricing
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a known defense contractor
- Supports Department of the Air Force operations
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for defense readiness, but competitive sourcing is generally preferred to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Air Force to ensure costs are reasonable and performance meets requirements.
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
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited small business participation
- Extended contract duration without competitive review
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 $22.2 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 $22.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-22. End: 2025-09-30.
What specific justification was provided for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A detailed justification for this sole-source award is crucial. Agencies typically require a justification and approval (J&A) document outlining why full and open competition is not feasible, such as the existence of only one responsible source or the need for standardization. Without this documentation, it's difficult to assess if taxpayer funds are being used efficiently.
How will the Department of the Air Force ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
Effective oversight is paramount. The Air Force must implement stringent monitoring of L3Harris's costs, ensuring they are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Regular audits, performance reviews, and clear communication channels are essential to manage the fixed fee component and prevent scope creep or unnecessary expenses, thereby maximizing value despite the lack of competitive pressure.
What is the long-term strategy for acquiring these aircraft parts, and will future procurements involve competition?
The current sole-source award is for a duration extending to September 2025. The Department of the Air Force should outline a plan for future requirements. Ideally, market research should be conducted to identify potential competitors for subsequent contract actions. Transitioning to a competitive environment, even for follow-on contracts, would likely yield better pricing and foster innovation in the long run.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
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: $22,169,454
Exercised Options: $22,169,454
Current Obligation: $22,169,454
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 9
Total Subaward Amount: $10,372,558
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
Start Date: 2022-08-22
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-16
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