Defense Department awards $31.9M contract to Textron Systems for surveying and mapping support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,869,319 ($31.9M)

Contractor: Textron Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 851 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: OIR LOT 5 SITES 11 AND 12 PRE-DEPLOYMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND POST-DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR UP TO 36 MONTHS, INCLUDING OPTIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: COCKEYSVILLE, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21030

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $31.9 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: OIR LOT 5 SITES 11 AND 12 PRE-DEPLOYMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND POST-DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR UP TO 36 MONTHS, INCLUDING OPTIONS. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized geospatial services. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of over two years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. The award is for a specific set of sites, implying focused operational requirements. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541370 points to a niche market.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.9 million over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized surveying and mapping services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale geospatial support contracts is difficult without more granular data on the specific services and geographic scope. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor has priced in potential risks, which can sometimes lead to higher initial costs but provides budget certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating that multiple potential bidders were considered, but specific sources were excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While not a wide-open competition, it implies that the government sought competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive process, even with exclusions, likely helped achieve a fair market price for the taxpayer. A moderate number of bidders generally allows for price discovery without the potential for inflated costs seen in sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from enhanced geospatial data and support for its operations. Services include pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment support, crucial for mission readiness. The contract's geographic impact is tied to the specific sites requiring surveying and mapping. Workforce implications include employment opportunities within Textron Systems and potentially its subcontractors in the surveying and mapping sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to exclusion of sources, which could impact long-term pricing.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical pre- and post-deployment support may pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Award to an established entity like Textron Systems suggests a degree of confidence in their capability.
The contract duration allows for sustained, predictable support for the identified sites.

Sector Analysis

The surveying and mapping services sector is a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This contract falls within the geospatial intelligence and land surveying sub-sectors, which are essential for defense, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. The market size for such specialized services is substantial, driven by government and commercial demand for accurate spatial data. This award to Textron Systems positions them as a key provider for the Department of the Navy's specific geospatial needs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is likely minimal. However, Textron Systems may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem within the geospatial services industry.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring Textron Systems to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Geospatial Intelligence Support Services
Defense Mapping Agency Contracts
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contracts
Surveying and Cartography Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Contract performance risk if contractor fails to meet quality or timeline.
Data accuracy and integrity are critical for mission success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $31.9 million to TEXTRON SYSTEMS CORPORATION. OIR LOT 5 SITES 11 AND 12 PRE-DEPLOYMENT, DEPLOYMENT, AND POST-DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR UP TO 36 MONTHS, INCLUDING OPTIONS.

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 $31.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2026-12-31.

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

Textron Systems Corporation has a significant history of contracting with the Department of Defense, often in areas related to defense systems, simulation, and training. While their primary focus may not exclusively be surveying and mapping, their experience with complex government projects suggests a capacity to manage large-scale technical services. Specific past performance on contracts directly analogous to OIR LOT 5 would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews. However, their established presence indicates a familiarity with DoD procurement processes and requirements, which is a positive indicator for contract execution.

How does the $31.9 million contract value compare to other large-scale geospatial support contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $31.9 million value for approximately 3 years of support places this contract in the mid-to-large tier for specialized geospatial services within the DoD. Larger contracts in this domain can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, often encompassing broader geographic areas, more extensive data collection (e.g., aerial or satellite imagery), and more complex analytical requirements. Smaller contracts might focus on specific site surveys or localized mapping. This award appears to be a substantial, but not unprecedented, investment for focused, site-specific support, suggesting a need for significant geospatial data and analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by Textron Systems in delivering the required surveying and mapping support, leading to delays or inaccuracies. Technical risks related to data quality and integration could also arise. The mitigation strategies include the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and performance effectively. The Department of the Navy's oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and acceptance criteria, are crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring quality. The contract duration also allows for phased delivery and feedback, enabling adjustments.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of these surveying and mapping services for the Department of the Navy?

The program's effectiveness is expected to be high, providing the Department of the Navy with critical, up-to-date geospatial information for the specified sites. This data is vital for pre-deployment planning, ensuring that personnel and equipment are deployed to locations with accurate environmental and topographical understanding. Post-deployment support ensures that any changes or new requirements are captured. The impact is enhanced operational readiness, improved situational awareness, and potentially reduced risks during military operations due to a better understanding of the operational environment.

What are the historical spending patterns for surveying and mapping services within the Department of the Navy or DoD?

Historical spending on surveying and mapping services by the Department of the Navy and the broader DoD is substantial and consistent, driven by ongoing operational needs, infrastructure development, and intelligence gathering. Annual expenditures can reach hundreds of millions of dollars across various contracts, ranging from small, localized surveys to large-scale, multi-year geospatial data acquisition programs. This $31.9 million award fits within this established pattern of significant investment in maintaining and enhancing the military's spatial data capabilities.

What does the 'exclusion of sources' in the contract type imply for future competition and pricing?

The 'exclusion of sources' indicates that while the competition was technically 'full and open,' certain potential bidders were deliberately not considered. The reasons for exclusion are not specified but could relate to national security, proprietary technology, or previous performance issues. This can limit the pool of competitors, potentially reducing the intensity of price competition compared to a truly unrestricted open competition. For future contracts, if the same sources are excluded, it could lead to less aggressive pricing over time, although the specific impact depends heavily on the number and capability of the remaining bidders.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES

Offers Received: 2

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: $52,540,614

Exercised Options: $37,407,428

Current Obligation: $31,869,319

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $41,250

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