DoD Awards Northrop Grumman $27.8M for Mission Planning, Sole-Source Contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,856,931 ($27.9M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-01-01
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 2,190 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MISSION PLANNING
Place of Performance
Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92127
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $27.9 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: MISSION PLANNING Key points: 1. Significant contract awarded to a major defense contractor. 2. Sole-source nature raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long duration suggests a critical, ongoing need for these services. 4. Aircraft Manufacturing sector is a key area for defense spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $27.8 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized mission planning software and support. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best 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 may result in higher costs compared to a competitive environment. The justification for sole-source is not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition, potentially missing out on cost efficiencies that could have been achieved through a bidding process.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness for Air Force missions. Supports advanced technology development in defense planning. Potential for cost overruns due to sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost escalation
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports critical defense mission
- Award to established contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically supporting aircraft mission planning. Spending in this area is crucial for national security, but often involves high costs due to specialized requirements and limited vendor pools.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large sole-source defense contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and prevent waste. The Department of the Air Force is responsible for monitoring performance and expenditures to ensure the government receives value.
Related Government Programs
- Aircraft Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Potential for cost overruns without competition.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Long contract duration may mask inefficiencies.
Tags
aircraft-manufacturing, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $27.9 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. MISSION PLANNING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
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 $27.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.
What was 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 a lack of adequate competition. Without further documentation, it's impossible to determine the specific rationale. This information is critical for assessing the necessity of bypassing competitive procedures and understanding potential cost implications.
How does the per-unit cost of this mission planning system compare to similar systems or previous contracts?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost is challenging without competitive data. Given the sole-source nature, direct comparisons are difficult. A thorough review of historical pricing for similar systems, if available, and an analysis of the contractor's cost breakdown would be necessary to assess value for money.
What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the mission planning services provided under this contract?
Effectiveness is typically ensured through performance metrics, milestone tracking, and regular reviews outlined in the contract. The Air Force must actively monitor Northrop Grumman's delivery against these requirements. Efficiency, particularly regarding cost, requires diligent oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure adherence to the fixed-price terms.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Aircraft Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Address: 17066 GOLDENTOP RD, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92127
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,204,588
Exercised Options: $30,251,013
Current Obligation: $27,856,931
Actual Outlays: $3,497,462
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA869021D1009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2027-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-09
More Contracts from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
- 200506!000026!5700!fa8214!oo-Alc/Pkme/Lmke !F4261098C0001 !A!N! !Y! !p01502!20041213!20050701!001563738!004179453!016435559!n!northrop Grumman Space & Missi!888 S 2000 E !clearfield !ut!84015!13850!011!49!clearfield !davis !utah !-000001960000!n!n!000000000000!l014!tech REP Svcs/Guided Missiles !A2 !missile and Space Systems !302 !minuteman III GRP !541330!E! !3! ! !C! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !a!n!l!2!002!b! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $10.0B (Department of Defense)
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (FRP-7) — $8.5B (Department of Defense)
- E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft (FRP-2) — $5.4B (Department of Defense)
- First DDT and E, Ares I-X, and Flight Tests. First Stage Will BE a Five Segment, Solid Rocket Booster Derived From the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) Solid Rocket Booster (srb)/Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (rsrm). the Contractor Shall Furnish the Necessary Management, Engineering, Labor, Facilities, Tools, Equipment, and Materials Required for First Stage Development, Qualification, Certification and Acceptance Program. Activities Include: Redesign and Testing of the Motor to Incorporate the Fifth Segment and Production of Five Full Scale Ground Static Test Motors: TWO Development Motors (dms)-And Three Qualification Motors (QMS); Structural Test Article (STA), Ground Vibration Test Motors (gvtms) and Other Development Testing; Redesign of the Avionics, Deceleration, Separation, and Flight Termination System (FTS) Subsystems; Ares I-X: Simulated Ares I Outer Mold Line/Mass Properties Using Modified Srb/Rsrm; and Three Flight Test Vehicles. TAS::80 0124::TAS — $4.4B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Federal Contract — $4.4B (Department of Defense)
View all Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)