DoD's $11.19M BIG SAFARI contract awarded to L3Harris for aircraft parts, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,187,613 ($11.2M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-09-25

End Date: 2026-01-26

Contract Duration: 123 days

Daily Burn Rate: $91.0K/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 $11.2 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential overpayment and lack of competitive pressure. 2. The contract's duration of 123 days suggests a focus on immediate needs rather than long-term strategic sourcing. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, this contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing NAICS code. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the absence of competition limits price discovery. 5. L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. is the sole awardee, indicating a specific capability or existing relationship. 6. The contract's value, while significant, needs to be benchmarked against similar sole-source awards for aircraft components.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $11.19 million contract is challenging due to its sole-source nature. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if the price reflects fair market value or if taxpayers are overpaying. The fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition means L3Harris set the terms. Further analysis would require comparing this award to similar sole-source contracts for comparable aircraft parts, which may reveal if the pricing is within an acceptable range for non-competitive procurements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed. The Department of the Air Force likely determined that only L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. could provide the required goods or services, possibly due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or an existing sole-source requirement for specific aircraft parts under the BIG SAFARI program. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for other vendors to bid, potentially leading to higher prices than if multiple offers had been considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit taxpayer value by removing the downward price pressure that competition typically provides. This can result in higher costs for the government and, consequently, for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and specific Air Force units requiring specialized aircraft parts. The contract delivers essential components for aircraft maintenance and operational readiness under the BIG SAFARI program. The geographic impact is centered in Texas, where L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. is located. Workforce implications may include continued employment for skilled manufacturing and technical personnel at L3Harris.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source award raises concerns about the availability of alternative suppliers.
Short contract duration could indicate a reactive procurement rather than strategic planning.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established contractor like L3Harris may ensure quality and timely delivery.
BIG SAFARI program context suggests a focus on critical aerospace capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. The market for specialized aircraft components is often characterized by high barriers to entry due to technical expertise, certifications, and intellectual property. While the overall market size for aircraft parts is substantial, specific niche components, especially those under programs like BIG SAFARI, may have limited suppliers. Benchmarking spending in this area requires looking at similar sole-source awards for specialized military aircraft components, which are typically higher than commercially available parts due to stringent specifications and quality requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve a small business set-aside, as indicated by the 'sb': false flag. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without a set-aside or clear subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely minimal, unless L3Harris voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified goods. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

BIG SAFARI Program
Aircraft Parts Manufacturing
Department of the Air Force Contracts
Sole-Source Defense Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.2 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 $11.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2026-01-26.

What is the specific nature of the 'BIG SAFARI' program and how does this contract support its objectives?

The BIG SAFARI (Broad Area Ground Support, Aviation, Reconnaissance, and Intelligence) program is an Air Force initiative focused on rapidly acquiring and fielding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Contracts under BIG SAFARI often involve specialized aircraft modifications, sensor integration, and related support services. This particular contract, for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing,' likely provides critical components necessary for maintaining or upgrading ISR aircraft platforms within the BIG SAFARI portfolio. The sole-source award suggests these parts are either highly specialized, proprietary to L3Harris, or essential for a unique configuration that only L3Harris can supply, directly supporting the program's goal of agile and responsive capability development.

What are L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.'s past performance and track record with the Department of Defense, particularly for sole-source contracts?

L3Harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P. (and its predecessor entities) has a significant and generally positive track record with the Department of Defense, holding numerous contracts across various defense platforms and services. They are a major defense contractor known for expertise in areas like C5ISR, electronic warfare, and communication systems. While specific data on their sole-source contract performance isn't detailed here, their extensive history suggests a capacity to meet demanding military specifications. However, the inherent risk with sole-source awards is the lack of direct performance comparison against competitors. Audits and oversight by the DoD are crucial to ensure value and quality are maintained even without competitive pressure.

How does the $11.19 million value of this contract compare to similar sole-source awards for aircraft parts within the DoD?

Directly comparing the $11.19 million value of this sole-source contract to similar awards is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of all sole-source procurements for comparable aircraft parts. However, for specialized, non-commercial components, especially those tied to specific platforms or programs like BIG SAFARI, values in the millions of dollars are not uncommon. The key concern with sole-source awards is the absence of competitive benchmarking. If this contract were competed, the price could potentially be lower. To assess value, one would need to analyze the specific parts being procured, their complexity, the required certifications, and compare them to other sole-source awards for items with similar characteristics, looking for significant deviations that might indicate overpricing.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, beyond just cost?

Beyond the risk of inflated costs, awarding this contract on a sole-source basis carries other potential risks. Firstly, it can stifle innovation by not allowing other companies with potentially novel solutions or more efficient manufacturing processes to compete. Secondly, it creates a dependency on a single supplier, which can be problematic if that supplier faces financial difficulties, production issues, or decides to exit the market. This dependency could jeopardize the continuity of supply for critical aircraft parts. Thirdly, it may limit the government's access to a broader range of technical expertise and support that could be available through a competitive process. Finally, it can set a precedent for future sole-source awards, potentially eroding the overall competitive landscape for defense contracting.

What historical spending patterns exist for the 'BIG SAFARI' program or for 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing by the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for the 'BIG SAFARI' program and 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing by the Department of the Air Force indicate a consistent need for specialized components and systems to maintain and upgrade intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Air Force has historically allocated significant funds to programs like BIG SAFARI to ensure technological superiority in ISR. Spending on 'Other Aircraft Parts' manufacturing, particularly for specialized military applications, is substantial and often involves a mix of competitive and sole-source awards. Sole-source awards in this category are typically justified by unique technical requirements, proprietary designs, or the need for rapid acquisition of critical, hard-to-find components. Analyzing past spending reveals a trend of sustained investment in these areas, often with a significant portion directed towards sole-source procurements for highly specialized items.

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: $11,187,613

Exercised Options: $11,187,613

Current Obligation: $11,187,613

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