Air Force Awards L3Harris $29.9M for Mission Thread Software Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,933,750 ($29.9M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-02-01
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $82.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TO DEVELOP, INTEGRATE AND DELIVER MISSION THREAD SOFTWARE WITHIN ATLAS TO MEET ATLAS INITIAL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY AND TO MATURE AND STABILIZE THE TECHNICAL BASELINE SOFTWARE.
Place of Performance
Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $29.9 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: TO DEVELOP, INTEGRATE AND DELIVER MISSION THREAD SOFTWARE WITHIN ATLAS TO MEET ATLAS INITIAL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY AND TO MATURE AND STABILIZE THE TECHNICAL BASELINE SOFTWARE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical software for ATLAS Initial Operational Capability. 2. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. High risk associated with R&D contracts and sole-source awards. 4. Spending falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, limiting price discovery and competition. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible price.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have benefited from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher overall costs.
Public Impact
Development of mission-critical software for the Air Force's ATLAS program. Potential for technological advancements in defense systems. Ensures continued modernization of Air Force capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Research and Development focus
Positive Signals
- Supports critical defense mission
- Potential for technological advancement
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS code 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but often carries higher risk and less predictable outcomes.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, which is common for highly specialized R&D contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is meeting milestones and managing costs effectively within the fixed fee structure.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Technical complexity of R&D
- Reliance on a single vendor
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $29.9 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. TO DEVELOP, INTEGRATE AND DELIVER MISSION THREAD SOFTWARE WITHIN ATLAS TO MEET ATLAS INITIAL OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY AND TO MATURE AND STABILIZE THE TECHNICAL BASELINE SOFTWARE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $29.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.
What specific performance metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the mission thread software development?
Performance metrics will likely focus on the successful integration of the software within the ATLAS system, meeting the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) requirements, and the stability of the technical baseline. Specific metrics would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and could include functionality tests, performance benchmarks, and security compliance checks.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from a unique capability, proprietary technology, or urgent need where only one contractor can fulfill the requirement. For R&D contracts, this might involve specialized expertise or prior development work that makes competition impractical or detrimental to the project's timeline and objectives.
How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns?
Management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract involves rigorous oversight of incurred costs, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to the defined scope of work. The government contracting officer will monitor expenditures closely, ensuring they align with the fixed fee and project milestones. Any deviations or scope changes would require formal modification and negotiation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14425 PENROSE PL STE 500, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $90,089,611
Exercised Options: $32,712,608
Current Obligation: $29,933,750
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA880621D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-02-01
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-19
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