Textron Systems Corporation awarded $18.6M for deployment support, a sole-source contract with a 4-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,594,970 ($18.6M)

Contractor: Textron Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,491 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: COCKEYSVILLE, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21030

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $18.6 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for deployment support services, indicating a need for specialized operational assistance. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. A 4-year duration indicates a long-term requirement for these services. 4. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a pre-existing agreement. 5. The award is a sole-source, raising questions about the extent of market research conducted. 6. The specific service category (Surveying and Mapping) might be niche, potentially justifying a sole-source award if unique capabilities are required.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $18.6 million contract is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and the scope of 'deployment support.' As a sole-source award, there's no direct comparison to other bids to assess pricing competitiveness. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Further analysis would require understanding the market for these specialized surveying and mapping services and whether Textron Systems Corporation's pricing aligns with industry standards for similar long-term support contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Textron Systems Corporation, was solicited. This typically occurs when a unique capability is required, or when market research indicates only one responsible source can fulfill the requirement. The lack of competition means the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could drive down prices or encourage innovation from multiple providers. The justification for this sole-source award would need to be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it was appropriate.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses and can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers due to the absence of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized deployment support services, likely enhancing operational readiness. Services provided fall under Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical), suggesting a role in data acquisition, analysis, or infrastructure support. The contract is geographically focused on Maryland (MD), indicating a specific regional operational need. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained requirement, potentially impacting workforce planning for both the contractor and the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and missed opportunities for cost savings.
Sole-source awards can limit the government's access to a broader range of innovative solutions.
The specific nature of 'deployment support' is vague and requires further clarification to assess performance metrics and value.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Long contract duration (nearly 4 years) suggests a stable, ongoing need that has been identified.
Award to Textron Systems Corporation, a known entity, may indicate a reliance on established capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to surveying and mapping. This sector is crucial for various government functions, including infrastructure development, environmental monitoring, and defense operations. The market for specialized surveying and mapping services can be competitive, but specific niche capabilities, particularly those required for deployment support in sensitive environments, might be dominated by a few key players. The $18.6 million value over four years places this contract at a significant level within its sub-sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary consideration for this specific award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. This sole-source contract does not appear to include specific provisions for subcontracting to small businesses, which could limit opportunities for the small business ecosystem in this particular procurement. Future analysis could explore if the prime contractor has a broader small business subcontracting plan in place for other contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order, it is likely managed under a larger IDIQ contract framework which may have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, making public scrutiny of the procurement process challenging. The Inspector General's office could investigate if concerns regarding the justification for the sole-source award or contract performance arise.

Related Government Programs

Defense Logistics Agency Support Contracts
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts
Geospatial Intelligence Support Services
Department of Defense Deployment Readiness Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in the procurement process.
Scope of 'deployment support' requires further definition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $18.6 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION. DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific deployment support services are being provided by Textron Systems Corporation under this contract?

The contract specifies 'DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT' and falls under the NAICS code 541370 for Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services. While the exact nature of the support is not detailed in the provided data, it likely involves activities such as site surveys, mapping, geospatial data collection, analysis, and potentially the creation of operational maps or intelligence products crucial for military deployments. This could range from pre-deployment site assessments to ongoing support during an operation, ensuring accurate spatial understanding for mission success. The duration and value suggest a significant and sustained requirement for these specialized services.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Textron Systems Corporation?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and is 'sole-source.' A formal justification (e.g., Justification and Approval - J&A) would be required by federal acquisition regulations to explain why full and open competition was not feasible. Common reasons include the existence of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or specific capabilities possessed exclusively by one contractor. For Textron Systems Corporation, this could be due to unique technological expertise, proprietary data access, or prior development of specialized tools essential for the Navy's deployment support requirements in Maryland.

How does the $18.6 million value compare to similar deployment support or surveying and mapping contracts?

Without specific details on the scope of 'deployment support' and the exact surveying and mapping tasks, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $18.6 million over approximately four years averages to about $4.65 million per year. This is a substantial amount for specialized technical services. Comparable contracts in the geospatial intelligence and surveying sectors can range widely, from smaller task orders under IDIQs to multi-billion dollar programs. The sole-source nature prevents direct benchmarking against competitors, but agencies typically aim for competitive pricing. The value suggests a critical and potentially complex requirement.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude and duration?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include potential lack of price competition, leading to higher costs for the government than might be achieved through a competitive process. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on Textron Systems Corporation, potentially stifling innovation or the adoption of alternative solutions. Furthermore, without competitive pressure, there might be less incentive for the contractor to optimize performance or efficiency. Ensuring robust contract management and performance monitoring becomes critical to mitigate these risks and verify that the government is receiving fair value.

What is Textron Systems Corporation's track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in surveying and mapping services?

Textron Systems Corporation is a known defense contractor with a broad range of capabilities, including unmanned systems, precision weapons, and advanced marine craft. While their primary public profile might not emphasize surveying and mapping services, they often integrate such capabilities into larger platforms or support roles. Their history with the Department of Defense suggests experience in delivering complex solutions under demanding conditions. However, specific past performance data related to NAICS 541370 and 'deployment support' for the Navy would require deeper database searches to fully assess their relevant track record and expertise in this niche.

What are the performance expectations and metrics for this deployment support contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance expectations or metrics. However, for a contract involving surveying and mapping for deployment support, key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely focus on accuracy of data, timeliness of deliverables (e.g., map production, survey completion), adherence to technical specifications, and overall support effectiveness in enabling successful deployments. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that performance standards would be clearly defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure accountability and successful mission outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services

Product/Service Code: TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SVCS. › TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Textron Inc

Address: 124 INDUSTRY LN, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21030

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: $18,594,970

Exercised Options: $18,594,970

Current Obligation: $18,594,970

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0001921G0008

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline