DoD's $14.1M Raytheon Contract for Navigation Systems: A Decade-Long Sole Source Award

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,145,336 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-04-29

End Date: 2013-03-09

Contract Duration: 3,236 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: MCKINNEY, COLLIN County, TEXAS, 75070, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $14.1 million awarded to Raytheon Company. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential overpricing. 3. Long contract duration (2004-2013) suggests a sustained need, but also a missed opportunity for competitive bidding. 4. The sector is critical for defense operations, highlighting the importance of efficient procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing was optimal. The benchmark for similar navigation system contracts is unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been subject to open bidding.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration of the sole-source contract could indicate a lack of market competition or strategic sourcing decisions. Essential defense navigation systems were procured without exploring potentially more cost-effective options.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Long contract duration

Positive Signals

  • Awarded to a major defense contractor
  • Contract supported critical defense systems

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is crucial for national defense, but competitive procurement is vital to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, as it was a sole-source award to Raytheon Company.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further review to ensure proper justification and that taxpayer funds were used efficiently. Oversight should focus on the necessity of sole-sourcing for such critical systems.

Related Government Programs

  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks transparency.
  • Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition.
  • Long contract duration may indicate missed competitive opportunities.
  • Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
  • Technology obsolescence risk over a 10-year period.

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, tx, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. See the official description on USAspending.

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 $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-04-29. End: 2013-03-09.

What was the justification for awarding this contract as sole-source to Raytheon Company, and were alternative solutions or contractors ever considered?

The provided data does not specify the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-sourcing is used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. However, without further documentation, it's impossible to confirm if alternatives were explored or if this was a strategic decision based on unique capabilities or existing systems.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the risk and potential cost overruns for this navigation system contract?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts share cost risks between the government and the contractor. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to maximize their fixed fee, the government bears the risk of cost overruns if initial estimates are inaccurate. This structure can lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts, especially over a long duration.

What is the long-term effectiveness and technological relevance of the navigation systems procured under this decade-long contract?

The effectiveness and technological relevance of systems procured over a decade ago are questionable without knowing the specific technology and upgrade paths. Defense technology evolves rapidly, and systems acquired between 2004 and 2013 might be outdated. Further analysis would be needed to assess their current operational status and continued utility.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTGeneral Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2501 W UNIVERSITY DRIVE M, MC KINNEY, TX, 75070

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,860,411

Exercised Options: $39,860,411

Current Obligation: $14,145,336

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-04-29

Current End Date: 2013-03-09

Potential End Date: 2013-03-09 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2015-03-03

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