Raytheon awarded $33.1M for CV-22 radar integration to address obsolescence
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,130,015 ($33.1M)
Contractor: Raytheon Company
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-03-23
End Date: 2022-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,410 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.5K/day
Sector: Defense
Official Description: ENGINEERING SERVICES, CET 18-803, CV-22 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR INTEGRATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK IS TO PERFORM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND INTEGRATION OF THE AN/APQ-187 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR (SKR) ONTO THE CV-22 TO RESOLVE OBSOLESCENCE ISSUES OF THE CURRENT CV-22 MMR, AN/APQ-186.
Place of Performance
Location: California, 90245
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.1 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: ENGINEERING SERVICES, CET 18-803, CV-22 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR INTEGRATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK IS TO PERFORM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND INTEGRATION OF THE AN/APQ-187 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR (SKR) ONTO THE CV-22 TO RESOLVE OBSOLESCENCE ISSUES OF THE CURRENT CV… Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical obsolescence in CV-22 radar systems. 2. Focus on engineering analysis, design, development, and integration. 3. Sole-source award suggests limited market alternatives or specific expertise required. 4. Long performance period (1410 days) indicates complex integration effort. 5. Potential for follow-on work if integration is successful. 6. High dollar value for a specialized engineering services task order.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $33.1 million for engineering services related to radar integration appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar complex defense system integration projects is challenging without more granular data on the scope of work. However, given the sole-source nature, a direct comparison to competitive bids is not possible. The pricing reflects the specialized nature of integrating advanced radar technology onto a critical military platform like the CV-22.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating that the Department of Defense identified Raytheon Company as the only responsible source capable of performing the required engineering services. This could be due to proprietary technology, existing system knowledge, or a lack of other qualified contractors with the specific expertise needed for the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar integration onto the CV-22 platform.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract. However, if Raytheon possesses unique capabilities essential for this critical upgrade, the award may represent the best value despite the lack of competition.
Public Impact
Enhances the operational capabilities and readiness of the CV-22 Osprey fleet. Ensures continued mission effectiveness by resolving obsolescence in a key sensor system. Supports the U.S. Special Operations Command's (SOCOM) air mobility requirements. Maintains the technological edge of a critical special operations aircraft. Potentially impacts the specialized aerospace engineering workforce involved in defense systems integration.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Long duration may indicate unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep potential.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical system integration.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need to resolve radar system obsolescence.
- Leverages existing contractor expertise with relevant technologies.
- Clear objective to enhance CV-22 platform capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense sector, specifically focusing on avionics and radar systems integration. The market for such specialized engineering services is often dominated by a few large defense contractors with the necessary security clearances, technical expertise, and established relationships with the government. The value of this contract is significant for a single task order, reflecting the complexity of upgrading a major military aircraft platform.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. As a sole-source award to a large prime contractor, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Raytheon Company actively engages small businesses for specific components or services not covered by this engineering task order.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contract compliance, quality, and timely delivery. The Department of Defense's contracting officers and program managers would also provide oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific technical details of the integration may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- CV-22 Osprey Program
- Radar Systems Modernization
- Avionics Integration Services
- Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Contracts
- Department of Defense Engineering Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Potential for cost overruns
- Technical integration complexity
- Obsolescence resolution
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, raytheon-company, cv-22, radar-integration, engineering-services, sole-source, avionics, special-operations, obsolescence-resolution, task-order, long-duration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.1 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. ENGINEERING SERVICES, CET 18-803, CV-22 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR INTEGRATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK IS TO PERFORM ENGINEERING ANALYSIS, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND INTEGRATION OF THE AN/APQ-187 SILENT KNIGHT RADAR (SKR) ONTO THE CV-22 TO RESOLVE OBSOLESCENCE ISSUES OF THE CURRENT CV-22 MMR, AN/APQ-186.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-23. End: 2022-01-31.
What is Raytheon Company's track record with CV-22 avionics or radar systems?
Raytheon Company, now part of RTX, has a long history of providing advanced defense systems, including radar and avionics, to various military platforms. While specific details on their prior involvement with the CV-22 program's radar systems prior to this contract are not readily available in the provided data, their extensive experience in developing and integrating complex sensor suites for military aircraft suggests a strong capability. Their portfolio includes numerous radar systems for different applications, and they are a known supplier of avionics components. This background likely informed the sole-source decision, assuming they possess unique knowledge or technology relevant to the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar and its integration onto the CV-22 platform.
How does the $33.1 million cost compare to similar radar integration projects?
Directly comparing the $33.1 million cost to similar radar integration projects is challenging without access to proprietary contract data and detailed scope of work for comparable efforts. However, the value is substantial for a single task order focused on engineering services for a specific aircraft modification. Complex avionics and radar integration on military platforms often involve significant engineering hours, testing, and certification processes, driving up costs. Given the sole-source nature, a competitive benchmark is unavailable. The cost reflects the specialized expertise required to address obsolescence in a critical system for a high-value military asset like the CV-22.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source radar integration contract?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include potential cost overruns due to the lack of competitive pricing pressure, and schedule delays if unforeseen technical challenges arise during the integration of the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar onto the CV-22. There's also a risk related to contractor performance; if Raytheon encounters significant difficulties or fails to meet performance requirements, the government has limited immediate alternatives. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of robust market research or a reliance on a single vendor's proprietary technology, which can create long-term dependencies.
How effective is the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar in addressing the obsolescence of the AN/APQ-186?
The provided data indicates the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar (SKR) is intended to replace the AN/APQ-186 due to obsolescence issues with the latter. While the specific performance capabilities and effectiveness of the SKR compared to the older radar are not detailed, its selection and integration signify that it is considered a viable, modern solution to maintain or enhance the CV-22's radar capabilities. The objective is to resolve obsolescence, ensuring the radar system remains supportable and functional for the foreseeable future, thereby maintaining the operational effectiveness of the CV-22.
What is the historical spending trend for CV-22 radar system upgrades or engineering services?
Historical spending data specifically for CV-22 radar system upgrades or engineering services is not provided in the current dataset. However, major military aircraft platforms like the CV-22 typically undergo periodic upgrades and sustainment activities throughout their lifecycle. These often involve significant investments in avionics, sensor systems, and structural modifications to maintain operational readiness and incorporate new technologies. The $33.1 million awarded to Raytheon represents a specific instance of such investment aimed at addressing obsolescence in a critical component.
What are the implications of the 1410-day duration for this engineering task order?
The duration of 1410 days (approximately 3.86 years) for this engineering task order suggests a complex and lengthy integration process for the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar onto the CV-22 platform. This extended timeline likely encompasses multiple phases, including detailed design, prototyping, system integration, rigorous testing (ground and flight), validation, and potentially initial operational capability deployment. Such a long duration is not unusual for major avionics upgrades on military aircraft, reflecting the intricate technical challenges, regulatory requirements, and the need for thorough verification and validation to ensure mission success and safety.
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