DoD's $63.4M D-RAPCON Contract with Raytheon: Search, Detection, and Navigation System

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,417,615 ($63.4M)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-04-24

End Date: 2020-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,624 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEPLOYABLE RADAR APPROACH AND CONTROL SYSTEM (D-RAPCON)

Place of Performance

Location: MARLBOROUGH, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01752

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $63.4 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: DEPLOYABLE RADAR APPROACH AND CONTROL SYSTEM (D-RAPCON) Key points: 1. The contract for the Deployable Radar Approach and Control System (D-RAPCON) was awarded to Raytheon Company. 2. The total value of the contract is $63,417,615.05. 3. The system is related to search, detection, navigation, guidance, and aeronautical/nautical instruments. 4. This was a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract was a fixed-price incentive type, which aims to balance cost control with performance incentives. Without specific benchmarks for D-RAPCON systems, a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the total value appears reasonable for a complex defense system.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to have resulted in a fair price for taxpayers, avoiding excessive costs associated with sole-source procurements.

Public Impact

Enhances air traffic control and safety for deployed operations. Supports critical military aviation missions by providing navigation and guidance. Contributes to the modernization of Air Force operational capabilities. Potential for improved efficiency and reduced response times in air operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Fixed-price incentive contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
The contract duration is substantial (2013-2020), requiring ongoing oversight.
No specific mention of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
The system addresses a critical need for deployable air traffic control.
Raytheon is a well-established defense contractor with relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

The Department of Defense frequently procures complex electronic systems for navigation and control. Spending in this sector is driven by technological advancements and operational requirements, with significant investment in radar and communication systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the DoD. Standard DoD oversight mechanisms would apply, including contract performance monitoring and financial audits to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Fixed-price incentive contracts carry inherent cost overrun risks.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics and outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $63.4 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. DEPLOYABLE RADAR APPROACH AND CONTROL SYSTEM (D-RAPCON)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.

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 $63.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-04-24. End: 2020-06-30.

What specific performance metrics were tied to the incentive portion of this fixed-price incentive contract, and how were they measured?

The contract details do not specify the exact performance metrics for the incentive portion. Fixed-price incentive contracts typically link additional profit or reduced price to achieving specific technical, schedule, or cost targets. The Air Force would have established these metrics, likely related to radar performance, system reliability, or deployment speed, and monitored Raytheon's progress against them throughout the contract period.

What is the estimated cost savings or value added achieved through the full and open competition for this D-RAPCON system compared to a sole-source procurement?

While precise figures for hypothetical sole-source scenarios are unavailable, full and open competition generally yields significant cost savings. By allowing multiple bidders to compete, the government can leverage market forces to secure a lower price and better terms. This process likely resulted in millions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer compared to what Raytheon might have charged without competitive pressure.

How does the D-RAPCON system's capability and cost compare to similar deployable radar systems used by other military branches or allied nations?

Benchmarking D-RAPCON against similar systems requires detailed technical specifications and cost data, which are not provided here. However, the $63.4 million contract value over several years suggests a significant investment. Comparisons would need to consider factors like range, resolution, mobility, environmental resilience, and integration capabilities to assess its relative effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Rockwell Collins Australia PTY Limited

Address: 1001 BOSTON POST RD E, MARLBOROUGH, MA, 01752

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: $263,404,682

Exercised Options: $63,511,615

Current Obligation: $63,417,615

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline