DoD Awards Northrop Grumman $109M for Electronics & Communication Equipment

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $109,388,150 ($109.4M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-08-16

End Date: 2011-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,693 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200411!000006!5700!GV60 !ESC/DI !FA872504C0007 !A!N! !N! ! !20040816!20050516!064683464!008255408!016435559!N!NORTHROP GRUMMAN DEFENSE MISSI!12011 SUNSET HILLS ROAD !RESTON !VA!20190!66672!059!51!RESTON !FAIRFAX !VIRGINIA !+000003270000!N!N!000003270000!AC62!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-APPLIED RESEA !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !B! !A!U!J!2!003!B! !Z!N!A! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92128

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $109.4 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: 200411!000006!5700!GV60 !ESC/DI !FA872504C0007 !A!N! !N! ! !20040816!20050516!064683464!008255408!016435559!N!NORTHROP GRUMMAN DEFENSE MISSI!12011 SUNSET HILLS ROAD !RESTON !VA!20190!66672!059!51!RESTON !FAIR… Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $109.4 million awarded to Northrop Grumman. 2. Competition type is 'Full and Open', suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration is over 7 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Sector is Defense, specifically for electronics and communication equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $109.4 million over a 7-year period appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar contracts for advanced electronics and communication equipment is difficult without more specific technical details, but the duration suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of bidders are not provided, making it hard to assess the full impact on price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, but the long duration and specialized nature of the equipment could still represent a significant cost.

Public Impact

Supports national defense by providing critical communication equipment. Long-term contract provides stability for the contractor and ensures supply chain continuity. Potential for technological advancements in defense communication systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of detailed technical specifications makes it hard to assess value.
  • Long contract duration could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
  • Limited information on the competitive landscape beyond 'Full and Open'.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Contract supports a critical defense need.
  • Experienced contractor with a history of defense contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for applied research and development of electronics and communication equipment. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority but can be subject to rapid obsolescence and high R&D costs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, a large prime contractor. There is no explicit information on subcontracting to small businesses, which is a common practice in large defense contracts but not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers, contracting officers, and potentially inspectors general to ensure performance, quality, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence.
  • Lack of detailed technical scope makes value assessment difficult.
  • Potential for cost overruns in R&D-intensive projects.
  • Limited insight into the competitive landscape beyond the awardee.

Tags

other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $109.4 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. 200411!000006!5700!GV60 !ESC/DI !FA872504C0007 !A!N! !N! ! !20040816!20050516!064683464!008255408!016435559!N!NORTHROP GRUMMAN DEFENSE MISSI!12011 SUNSET HILLS ROAD !RESTON !VA!20190!66672!059!51!RESTON !FAIRFAX !VIRGINIA !+000003270000!N!N!000003270000!AC62!RDTE/ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION EQ-APPLIED RESEA !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999

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 $109.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-08-16. End: 2011-12-31.

What specific technological advancements are expected from this contract, and how do they align with current defense modernization goals?

The contract focuses on 'Applied Research' for electronics and communication equipment. Specific advancements are not detailed, but likely include improvements in signal processing, encryption, range, and resilience for battlefield communications. Alignment with modernization goals would depend on whether these advancements address identified capability gaps or enhance existing systems against evolving threats.

Given the 7-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of technological obsolescence or scope creep?

Long-term contracts often include provisions for periodic reviews, phased deliveries, and potential contract modifications based on evolving requirements or technological advancements. However, without the contract's specific clauses, it's difficult to ascertain the exact mitigation strategies. Risk of scope creep is managed through detailed statements of work and change control processes.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition' process for this specific contract ensure optimal value for taxpayer money, considering the specialized nature of the equipment?

Full and open competition theoretically maximizes the pool of potential bidders, driving down prices through market forces. For specialized defense equipment, the challenge lies in defining clear, measurable requirements that allow for meaningful comparison between technically diverse proposals. The effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation and the evaluation criteria used by the DoD.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingCommunications Equipment ManufacturingOther Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Address: 1 RANCHO CARMEL DR, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92128

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-08-16

Current End Date: 2011-12-31

Potential End Date: 2011-12-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-05-13

More Contracts from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

View all Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending