DoD Awards $20.4M for BIG SAFARI Aircraft Parts to L3Harris Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,385,701 ($20.4M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-08-15
End Date: 2027-01-31
Contract Duration: 899 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.7K/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 $20.4 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $20.4 million awarded to a single large business. 2. Limited competition due to 'NOT COMPETED' contract type. 3. Potential risk associated with sole-source procurement and lack of price discovery. 4. Spending falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.4 million for aircraft parts appears substantial. Without specific unit details or historical benchmarks for 'BIG SAFARI' components, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the lack of competition suggests potential for overpricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source award. This method bypasses competitive bidding, potentially limiting price discovery and leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive pressure.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for critical aircraft components due to lack of competition. The Department of Defense relies on L3Harris for essential 'BIG SAFARI' program needs. Future contract awards for this program could benefit from a more competitive bidding process.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Award to established defense contractor
- Supports critical aircraft program
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining military aviation capabilities. Benchmarks for similar sole-source contracts in this niche are difficult to ascertain without more data.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the justification for sole-source procurement was valid and that the price is reasonable. Transparency in future solicitations is recommended.
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 competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs to taxpayers.
- Limited transparency in procurement process.
- No small business participation evident.
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 $20.4 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 $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-15. End: 2027-01-31.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific details on the 'BIG SAFARI' program, it's difficult to assess the validity of this justification. Further documentation from the Department of Defense would be required to confirm the necessity of bypassing competition.
What is the potential cost impact of this sole-source award compared to a competitive process?
Sole-source contracts often result in higher costs for the government because they lack the price reduction incentives inherent in competitive bidding. While the exact premium is unknown without a benchmark, it's reasonable to assume that taxpayers are paying more than they would if multiple companies had competed for the contract. This could range from a few percentage points to significantly higher.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the 'BIG SAFARI' program?
This contract directly supports the 'BIG SAFARI' program by providing essential aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment. The award to L3Harris, a known defense contractor, suggests a focus on ensuring program continuity and operational readiness. The effectiveness hinges on the quality and timely delivery of these components, which are critical for the program's success.
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 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: $20,385,701
Exercised Options: $20,385,701
Current Obligation: $20,385,701
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $42,071
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4027
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-15
Current End Date: 2027-01-31
Potential End Date: 2027-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-09
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