DoD Awards $20.7M for AWACS Dragon Support, Sole-Source to Rockwell Collins
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,714,393 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-07-23
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 2,018 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: AWACS DRAGON INTERIM CONTRACTOR SUPPORT UCA
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.7 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. for work described as: AWACS DRAGON INTERIM CONTRACTOR SUPPORT UCA Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized engineering services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration (2020-2026) warrants close monitoring. 4. Focus on engineering services within the Air Force highlights critical support needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $20.7M over its period of performance needs to be benchmarked against similar sole-source engineering support contracts. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents fair and reasonable pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to Rockwell Collins, Inc. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential engineering services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational readiness for AWACS aircraft. Supports critical engineering and technical services for a key defense platform. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Essential support for critical defense system
- Experienced contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) within the Department of Defense. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining complex military systems like AWACS, but often involves specialized knowledge that can lead to sole-source awards.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Rockwell Collins, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for specialized sole-source contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Air Force to ensure performance and cost control. Regular reviews of contractor deliverables and expenditures are crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize higher spending.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to potential issues.
- Reliance on a single contractor poses a risk if performance falters.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, ia, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.7 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.. AWACS DRAGON INTERIM CONTRACTOR SUPPORT UCA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ROCKWELL COLLINS, 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 $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-07-23. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and have alternatives been thoroughly explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one contractor can fulfill the requirement. Thorough exploration of alternatives, including market research and potential for breaking down the requirement into competitive segments, should be documented by the agency to ensure the sole-source decision is fully warranted and serves the government's best interest.
How will the cost-plus fixed fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns?
Managing a cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF) contract requires stringent oversight. The agency must closely monitor all incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable to the contract, and verify that the contractor is operating efficiently. Clear performance metrics and regular audits are essential to control costs and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort expended.
What performance metrics are in place to ensure the effectiveness of the contractor's support?
Effective performance metrics for this contract should focus on key areas such as system availability, response times for technical support, successful implementation of engineering changes, and adherence to project milestones. The agency should establish clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals and regularly assess the contractor's performance against these benchmarks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Rockwell Collins Australia PTY Limited
Address: 400 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52498
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: $20,755,196
Exercised Options: $20,755,196
Current Obligation: $20,714,393
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-07-23
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-18
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