DoD Awards BAE Systems $37.9M for Jamming & Emulation Threat System (JETS)

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,940,455 ($37.9M)

Contractor: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-08-09

End Date: 2021-01-15

Contract Duration: 1,255 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CET 17-703, JAMMING&EMULATION THREAT SYSTEM (JETS) THIS EFFORT SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, TEST, EVALUATE AND FABRICATE A SHARED APERTURE (ANTENNA) AND TWIST REFLECTOR ANTENNA CAPABILITY THAT SHALL INCLUDE FUNCTIONS OF PROGRAMMABLE LOW POWER RF INPUT, PARAMETRIC RECORDING, HIGH POWER RF AMPLIFICATION, COCKPIT AND REMOTE CONTROLLING OF THE SYSTEM.

Place of Performance

Location: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03060

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $37.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CET 17-703, JAMMING&EMULATION THREAT SYSTEM (JETS) THIS EFFORT SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, TEST, EVALUATE AND FABRICATE A SHARED APERTURE (ANTENNA) AND TWIST REFLECTOR ANTENNA CAPABILITY THAT SHALL INCLUDE FUNCTIONS OF PROGRAMMABLE LOW POWER RF INPUT, PARAMETRIC RECORDING… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BAE Systems for advanced RF capabilities. 2. Focus on designing, developing, and fabricating shared aperture and twist reflector antennas. 3. Potential for significant technological advancement in electronic warfare. 4. High contract value suggests a critical defense need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $37.9 million for a complex system like JETS appears reasonable given the scope of design, development, testing, and fabrication. Benchmarking against similar advanced electronic warfare system development contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is expected to yield fair pricing and access to the best available technology.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical defense capability, aiming for technological superiority in electronic warfare.

Public Impact

Enhances U.S. military's electronic warfare capabilities. Supports development of advanced radar and jamming technologies. Contributes to national security by addressing evolving threat landscapes. Potential for spin-off technologies in civilian communication sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Complexity of the technology may lead to cost overruns.
Long development cycle increases risk of obsolescence.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical components.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear and present defense need.
Utilizes competitive bidding for price discovery.
Potential for significant technological advancement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced electronic warfare systems. Spending in this area is driven by the need to maintain technological superiority against adversaries.

Small Business Impact

The prime contractor is BAE Systems, a large defense corporation. There is no explicit mention of small business participation in this specific contract award notice, suggesting potential missed opportunities for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Defense, likely with oversight from relevant agencies like the Defense Contract Management Agency. Accountability for performance and cost will be crucial given the contract's complexity.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Technological complexity and potential for development delays.
Risk of cost overruns in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract.
Long-term relevance of technology in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Potential for integration challenges with existing platforms.
Dependence on a single large contractor for a critical capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $37.9 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.. IGF::OT::IGF CET 17-703, JAMMING&EMULATION THREAT SYSTEM (JETS) THIS EFFORT SHALL DESIGN, DEVELOP, TEST, EVALUATE AND FABRICATE A SHARED APERTURE (ANTENNA) AND TWIST REFLECTOR ANTENNA CAPABILITY THAT SHALL INCLUDE FUNCTIONS OF PROGRAMMABLE LOW POWER RF INPUT, PARAMETRIC RECORDING, HIGH POWER RF AMPLIFICATION, COCKPIT AND REMOTE CONTROLLING OF THE SYSTEM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-08-09. End: 2021-01-15.

What is the projected timeline for the full operational capability of the JETS system, and how does this align with current threat assessments?

The contract period of performance extends to January 2021, with a duration of 1255 days. While this indicates the development and fabrication timeline, the specific date for full operational capability is not detailed. This timeline should be assessed against the pace of evolving electronic warfare threats to ensure the system remains relevant upon deployment.

What are the key performance metrics for the JETS system, and how will their achievement be verified to ensure effectiveness?

The contract specifies design, development, testing, and evaluation, implying rigorous performance verification. Key metrics would likely include jamming effectiveness, emulation accuracy, antenna performance (gain, beamwidth), and system reliability under various operational conditions. Independent testing and validation by DoD agencies will be crucial to confirm these metrics.

Are there any identified risks associated with the integration of the JETS system into existing military platforms, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The contract does not explicitly detail integration risks. However, given the complexity of RF systems and potential compatibility issues, integration challenges are probable. Mitigation would typically involve early and continuous engagement with platform integration teams, thorough interface testing, and contingency planning for unforeseen technical hurdles.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HQ072715R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: BAE Systems PLC

Address: 65 SPIT BROOK RD, NASHUA, NH, 03060

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: $38,062,268

Exercised Options: $38,062,268

Current Obligation: $37,940,455

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ072716D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline