DoD's Missile Defense Agency awards $39.6M for Airborne Sensors support, including HALO fleet renewal

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,558,695 ($39.6M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-08-14

End Date: 2023-08-13

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: AIRBORNE SENSORS (ABS) SUPPORT FOR THE MDA TEST PROGRAM - NEW TASK ORDER FOR HIGH ALTITUDE OBSERVATORY (HALO) FLEET RENEWAL, HALO-I REPLACEMENT (HALO-IR), AIRCRAFT PURCHASE ONLY

Place of Performance

Location: TULSA, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74115

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $39.6 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: AIRBORNE SENSORS (ABS) SUPPORT FOR THE MDA TEST PROGRAM - NEW TASK ORDER FOR HIGH ALTITUDE OBSERVATORY (HALO) FLEET RENEWAL, HALO-I REPLACEMENT (HALO-IR), AIRCRAFT PURCHASE ONLY Key points: 1. The contract focuses on R&D for advanced airborne sensor systems. 2. L3Harris Technologies is the sole awardee for this task order. 3. Potential risks include reliance on a single vendor for critical technology. 4. The IT sector is indirectly impacted by advanced sensor development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $39.6M for a 5-year period appears reasonable for specialized R&D and aircraft acquisition. Benchmarking against similar high-tech sensor development contracts is difficult due to unique requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, this specific task order was awarded to L3Harris, indicating they were the selected vendor from the competitive pool.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical defense technology development and fleet modernization, aiming to enhance national security capabilities.

Public Impact

Enhances national defense capabilities through advanced surveillance technology. Supports the modernization of the Missile Defense Agency's testing infrastructure. Potential for technological advancements with dual-use applications. Ensures continued operational readiness of critical airborne sensor platforms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole awardee for a critical technology task order.
Long contract duration (5 years) may limit flexibility.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports modernization of essential defense assets.
Focus on R&D for future technological advantage.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for maintaining a technological edge in defense, with benchmarks varying widely based on the specific research area and project scale.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses for this particular task order. Large prime contractors like L3Harris often subcontract, potentially creating opportunities for small businesses in specialized support roles.

Oversight & Accountability

The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for this contract. Oversight would involve monitoring L3Harris's performance, adherence to cost controls under the CPFF structure, and timely delivery of the specified airborne sensor capabilities.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Department of Defense Contracting
Missile Defense Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Reliance on a single contractor for critical technology.
Potential for cost overruns in CPFF contract.
Long-term duration may not adapt to rapid technological changes.
Lack of small business subcontracting information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $39.6 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P.. AIRBORNE SENSORS (ABS) SUPPORT FOR THE MDA TEST PROGRAM - NEW TASK ORDER FOR HIGH ALTITUDE OBSERVATORY (HALO) FLEET RENEWAL, HALO-I REPLACEMENT (HALO-IR), AIRCRAFT PURCHASE ONLY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Missile Defense Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $39.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-14. End: 2023-08-13.

What is the specific technological advantage gained by renewing the HALO fleet and acquiring HALO-IR?

The renewal and replacement of the HALO fleet with HALO-IR are intended to significantly enhance the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) testing and evaluation capabilities. This includes improved sensor resolution, extended operational range, and potentially faster data acquisition, which are crucial for validating advanced missile defense systems against evolving threats.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D and aircraft acquisition?

CPFF contracts carry risks of cost overruns if the contractor's estimated costs are inaccurate or if unforeseen technical challenges arise during R&D and acquisition. The government bears the risk of cost increases above the fixed fee, necessitating robust oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent scope creep without corresponding value.

How does this investment in airborne sensors contribute to the overall effectiveness of missile defense?

Advanced airborne sensors are critical for early warning, tracking, and discrimination of missile threats. By investing in the HALO fleet renewal and HALO-IR replacement, the MDA improves its ability to gather high-fidelity data during tests, which directly translates to more accurate modeling, better system design, and ultimately, a more effective and reliable missile defense architecture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HQ014709R0006

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc

Address: 6501 E APACHE ST, TULSA, OK, 74115

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,848,787

Exercised Options: $39,848,787

Current Obligation: $39,558,695

Actual Outlays: $1,127,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ014711D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline