DoD Awards $30M for BIG SAFARI Aircraft Parts to BAE Systems, Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,959,819 ($30.0M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-06-30
End Date: 2028-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,188 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.2K/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: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03060
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $30.0 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $29.96M awarded. 2. Sole-source award to BAE Systems raises competition concerns. 3. Contract duration extends to September 2028. 4. Focus on 'Other Aircraft Parts' suggests specialized or critical components.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $29.96M for 1,188 days (approx. $25k/day) needs comparison to similar specialized aircraft parts. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no market pressure to offer competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $30M contract may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these aircraft parts.
Public Impact
Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition. Impact on readiness if these are critical aircraft components. Limited visibility into the justification for a sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Specific contract for aircraft parts
Sector Analysis
The 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector is vital for maintaining military aviation capabilities. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are often influenced by proprietary technology and specialized production, making direct comparisons challenging.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to BAE Systems, a large corporation, and there is no indication of small business participation. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to compete.
Oversight & Accountability
The justification for this sole-source award requires thorough review by oversight bodies to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and serves the best interest of the government and taxpayers.
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 competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing.
- Risk of supply chain disruption for critical parts.
- Limited transparency on justification.
- No small business participation.
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, nh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $30.0 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.. BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC..
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 $30.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-30. End: 2028-09-30.
What is 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, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Federal regulations require agencies to document this justification extensively. Alternative competitive strategies, such as market research to identify potential sources or phased approaches, should have been explored before resorting to a sole-source procurement to ensure the best value for the government.
How does the unit cost of these aircraft parts compare to industry benchmarks, given the lack of competitive pricing?
Without competitive bids, establishing a precise unit cost benchmark is challenging. The $29.96 million contract over 1,188 days (approximately $25,219 per day) for 'Other Aircraft Parts' needs to be benchmarked against similar specialized components from other defense contractors or publicly available data. The absence of competition suggests the possibility of inflated pricing, necessitating a detailed cost analysis by the agency.
What is the potential impact on Air Force readiness if these parts are critical and the sole-source provider faces disruptions?
If these parts are critical for aircraft maintenance and operational readiness, a sole-source contract poses a significant risk. Any disruption in BAE Systems' supply chain or production could lead to aircraft downtime and impact mission capabilities. The long contract duration further exacerbates this risk, highlighting the need for robust contingency planning and supplier management by the Department of the Air Force.
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: Ball Corporation
Address: 65 SPIT BROOK RD, NASHUA, NH, 03060
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $29,959,819
Exercised Options: $29,959,819
Current Obligation: $29,959,819
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4028
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-30
Current End Date: 2028-09-30
Potential End Date: 2028-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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