Interior Department's $17.2M Radio Equipment Contract Awarded to L3 Technologies, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,238,794 ($17.2M)

Contractor: L3 Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2004-05-03

End Date: 2005-12-05

Contract Duration: 581 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GCS

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17.2 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: GCS Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.2 million for radio and television broadcasting equipment. 2. Awarded to L3 Technologies, Inc. under a competitive delivery order. 3. Contract duration of 581 days, ending December 5, 2005. 4. Utilized a Time and Materials pricing structure. 5. No small business set-aside was applied to this contract. 6. The contract falls under the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $17.2 million for radio and television broadcasting equipment appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government procurements of this nature. However, without specific details on the equipment procured and its technical specifications, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comparable equipment would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework that allowed for multiple bidders. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought to leverage market competition to obtain favorable pricing and terms. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature is a positive indicator for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price reductions and encouraging innovation among potential suppliers, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from the acquisition of essential radio and television broadcasting equipment. This equipment likely supports critical communication infrastructure for departmental operations. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting the Interior's diverse operational areas. Workforce implications are indirect, potentially involving personnel who operate or maintain the acquired equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed and monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the procured equipment.
The contract duration is relatively short, which might limit long-term strategic planning for equipment lifecycle management.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
The contractor, L3 Technologies, Inc., is a known entity in defense and aerospace, implying a level of expertise.
The contract was awarded to a single entity, streamlining management and delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Technology and Telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on broadcasting equipment manufacturing. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and significant government spending on communication systems. The market size for such specialized equipment is substantial, driven by defense, public safety, and federal agency needs. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal spending on communication hardware.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by the 'sb' field being false. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, L3 Technologies, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would be a secondary impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and equipment specifications. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Communications Equipment Procurements
Federal Communications Commission Spectrum Management
Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
Limited duration may indicate a specific project need rather than long-term infrastructure investment.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes assessing effectiveness challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17.2 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. GCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-05-03. End: 2005-12-05.

What specific types of radio and television broadcasting equipment were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing). While the specific equipment is not detailed, this code encompasses a wide range of products including transmitters, receivers, antennas, broadcast studio equipment, and various wireless communication devices. Given the Department of the Interior's mission, the equipment likely supported operational communications, potentially for remote sensing, data transmission, or emergency response coordination across its vast land holdings.

How does the $17.2 million contract value compare to similar procurements for broadcasting equipment by federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $17.2 million contract value requires access to a database of similar procurements with detailed specifications. However, for specialized, high-frequency, or long-range broadcasting equipment, this figure is not unusual for a federal contract. Agencies like the Department of Defense, NOAA, or even the FAA procure similar, often more complex, systems that can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars. The value is contingent on factors like quantity, technical sophistication, and integration requirements.

What is the track record of L3 Technologies, Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for broadcasting equipment?

L3 Technologies, Inc. (now part of L3Harris Technologies) has a significant history of performing on federal contracts, particularly within the defense and aerospace sectors. While specific details on their past performance solely for broadcasting equipment for the Department of the Interior are not in the provided data, their broader experience suggests a capability to deliver complex technological solutions. Federal procurement databases would contain performance reviews and past performance information for this contractor on various contracts.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, for equipment procurements, KPIs would relate to factors such as on-time delivery, adherence to technical specifications, equipment reliability, and performance under specified operating conditions. Deliverables would include the physical equipment, installation services (if applicable), user manuals, training materials, and warranty information.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of the Interior on radio and television broadcasting equipment?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Department of the Interior on radio and television broadcasting equipment would require a comprehensive review of past contract awards over several fiscal years. This specific $17.2 million contract represents a single data point. Trends could reveal whether this was a one-time major acquisition, part of a larger modernization effort, or consistent annual spending. Such analysis would help contextualize the significance of this particular award within the agency's overall budget and technology investment strategy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 008898843)

Address: 7640 OMNITECH PL, VICTOR, NY, 25

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,411,738

Exercised Options: $32,411,738

Current Obligation: $17,238,794

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0718M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline