DoD's $371M BIG SAFARI Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts, Lacking Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,078,644 ($37.1M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-12-08

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,484 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/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 $37.1 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $370.8 million. 2. Sole awardee, L3Harris Technologies, raises questions about competition. 3. Long contract duration (2022-2026) suggests ongoing need. 4. Focus on 'Other Aircraft Parts' indicates a specialized niche within defense. 5. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $370.8 million is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to potential market rates for similar aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning L3Harris was the only vendor considered. This significantly limits price discovery and may lead to less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in taxpayers paying a premium for these aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.

Public Impact

Ensures continued supply of critical aircraft parts for the Air Force. Supports a major defense contractor, L3Harris Technologies. Potential for increased costs impacts overall defense budget allocation. Lack of transparency in the procurement process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
High contract value

Positive Signals

Ensures critical supply chain for Air Force
Supports established defense contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining military aviation readiness. Benchmarks are difficult without competitive data, but large sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a large corporation, and there is no indication of small business involvement in this specific award. This represents a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award suggests it may have bypassed standard competitive oversight processes. Further review of the justification for sole-sourcing is recommended to ensure accountability.

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
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency
No small business participation indicated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.1 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 $37.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-08. End: 2026-12-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. Without detailed documentation, it's impossible to confirm the specific reason for this 'BIG SAFARI' contract. The government should provide a clear rationale and demonstrate that competitive options were thoroughly explored before resorting to a sole-source procurement to ensure best value.

How does the unit cost of these aircraft parts compare to similar items procured competitively by the DoD or other agencies?

Direct comparison of unit costs is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award and the specific 'BIG SAFARI' designation, which may imply unique or specialized equipment. A thorough cost analysis, potentially involving benchmarking against commercial equivalents or historical data for similar, competitively procured parts, would be necessary to assess value for money.

What is the long-term strategy for procuring these aircraft parts, and will future procurements include competitive elements?

The long-term strategy is unclear from the provided data. While this award covers a significant period, future procurements should ideally incorporate competitive strategies to drive down costs and ensure innovation. The Department of Defense should outline plans for transitioning to a more competitive environment where feasible.

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: 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: $37,078,644

Exercised Options: $37,078,644

Current Obligation: $37,078,644

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 47

Total Subaward Amount: $430,283,489,322

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4027

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline