DoD's $86M Big Safari Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts Amidst Limited Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $86,352,044 ($86.4M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $67.6K/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 $86.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $86.35 million, focuses on 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. 2. L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. is the sole awardee, indicating limited competition. 3. The contract duration is 1278 days, spanning from April 2023 to September 2026. 4. The award type is a Delivery Order under an unspecified contract vehicle. 5. The contract is not set-aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing information is not available for this specific delivery order. Without a baseline or comparison to similar contracts for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing', it is difficult to assess if the $86.35 million is a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', suggesting a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This lack of broad competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of robust competition raises concerns about taxpayer value, as the government may not be securing the best possible price for these aircraft parts.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force is acquiring critical aircraft parts, potentially impacting operational readiness. The significant contract value suggests these parts are essential for a major program or fleet. The limited competition aspect could lead to public scrutiny regarding procurement practices. The duration of the contract implies a long-term need for these components.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of transparency on pricing
Potential for inflated costs due to sole-source award

Positive Signals

Supports Department of the Air Force's operational needs
Long-term contract provides supply chain stability

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 capabilities. Benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific product details, but large awards like this often signify critical components for major platforms.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this award was not set-aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). This means that large businesses were the primary focus for this procurement, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller companies in this sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for limited competition is sound and that the government is still achieving fair and reasonable pricing. Transparency regarding the specific reasons for limited competition is essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about price fairness.
Lack of detailed justification for 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'.
Absence of small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns if pricing is not rigorously managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $86.4 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 $86.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific aircraft or systems are these 'Other Aircraft Parts' intended for, and how does this impact their criticality and the justification for limited competition?

The specific aircraft or systems are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding the intended use is crucial for assessing the criticality of these parts and the validity of the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status. If these are highly specialized or proprietary components for a unique platform, limited competition might be justifiable. However, without this context, it raises questions about whether alternative solutions or suppliers were adequately explored.

What is the basis for the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation, and were alternative procurement strategies considered to foster competition?

The provided data simply states 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' without elaboration. A thorough review would require understanding the specific justification, such as unique technical requirements, existing sole-source contracts, or urgent needs. Agencies should typically explore options like market research, phased competitions, or performance-based contracts to encourage broader participation and ensure the best value is obtained, even in specialized areas.

How does the $86.35 million award compare to industry benchmarks for similar aircraft parts, considering the contract's duration and fixed-price nature?

Without specific details on the parts being procured, a direct benchmark comparison is challenging. However, the $86.35 million award over nearly four years for 'Other Aircraft Parts' suggests a significant investment. The firm fixed-price structure aims to transfer risk to the contractor, but the lack of competition makes it difficult to ascertain if the price reflects market rates or includes a premium due to limited options.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

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: $86,352,044

Exercised Options: $86,352,044

Current Obligation: $86,352,044

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 34

Total Subaward Amount: $4,385,443

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