DoD's $1.8B Next Generation Jammer EMD contract awarded to Raytheon faces scrutiny over competition and cost

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,795,489,000 ($1.8B)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-04-13

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,822 days

Daily Burn Rate: $469.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NEXT GENERATION JAMMER (NGJ) ENGINEERING&MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT (EMD) PHASE

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $1.80 billion to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NEXT GENERATION JAMMER (NGJ) ENGINEERING&MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT (EMD) PHASE Key points: 1. The $1.8 billion contract for the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase was awarded to Raytheon Company. 2. This significant investment is for the Department of the Navy, aiming to enhance electronic warfare capabilities. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery and value for taxpayer money. 4. The R&D sector, specifically in physical and engineering sciences, is a critical area for defense modernization.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure allows for cost overruns to be shared, potentially impacting overall value. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult due to the specialized nature of the NGJ.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this substantial $1.8 billion contract raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the best possible value for their investment in advanced defense technology.

Public Impact

Enhances critical electronic warfare capabilities for naval aviation. Represents a significant investment in advanced defense technology. Potential for long-term strategic advantage in electronic countermeasures. Impacts the aerospace and defense industry's R&D landscape.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Addresses critical defense need
  • Potential for technological advancement

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically for advanced electronic warfare systems. Defense R&D spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, with significant government investment typical for such complex projects.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award. Future phases or subcontracts may offer opportunities, but the prime contract is with a large defense contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure cost controls and performance metrics are rigorously monitored by the Department of the Navy to protect taxpayer interests.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competitive bidding
  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPIF structure
  • Long contract duration (2016-2026)
  • Sole-source award limits price transparency
  • High dollar value of the contract

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, billion-dollar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $1.80 billion to RAYTHEON COMPANY. IGF::OT::IGF NEXT GENERATION JAMMER (NGJ) ENGINEERING&MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT (EMD) PHASE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.80 billion.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-13. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the projected total cost of the NGJ program beyond the EMD phase, and how will future competition be structured?

The total program cost beyond the EMD phase is not detailed in this data. However, the EMD phase alone is valued at $1.8 billion. Future competition strategies will be critical to ensure cost-effectiveness in subsequent production and sustainment phases, potentially involving competitive prototyping or phased procurements to mitigate sole-source risks.

How does the government plan to mitigate cost risks associated with the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract structure for this R&D effort?

The CPIF structure incentivizes the contractor to control costs by sharing savings or overruns with the government. The Department of the Navy will likely employ robust program management, independent cost estimates, and performance reviews to monitor expenditures and ensure the contractor meets cost targets and performance milestones effectively.

What are the key performance metrics and milestones for the NGJ EMD phase, and how will their achievement be independently verified?

Key performance metrics and milestones for the NGJ EMD phase would typically include demonstrated technological capabilities, system integration, and readiness for subsequent phases. Independent verification will likely involve government testing, technical reviews, and potentially third-party assessments to ensure the contractor meets all contractual requirements and performance specifications.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0001914R6002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: RTX Corp

Address: 2000 E EL SEGUNDO BLVD, EL SEGUNDO, CA, 90245

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: $1,807,450,946

Exercised Options: $1,807,450,946

Current Obligation: $1,795,489,000

Actual Outlays: $113,486,005

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 589

Total Subaward Amount: $1,453,828,306

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-04-13

Current End Date: 2026-09-30

Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-16

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