DoD's $11.5M contract for advanced multiband tactical radios awarded to L3Harris Technologies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,532,642 ($11.5M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-05-03

End Date: 2008-04-30

Contract Duration: 363 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: ADV. MULTIBAND/MULTIMISSION TACTICAL

Place of Performance

Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14610

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.5 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ADV. MULTIBAND/MULTIMISSION TACTICAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $11.5M falls within a moderate spending range for specialized defense equipment. 3. Fixed-price contract type indicates that cost risks are largely borne by the contractor. 4. Awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a significant player in the defense electronics sector. 5. The contract duration of approximately one year suggests a focused procurement for specific needs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, indicating the primary award was not targeted towards small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.5 million for advanced multiband tactical radios appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar procurements for advanced communication systems would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor, which can be advantageous for the government if the contractor manages costs effectively. Without specific per-unit data or detailed technical specifications, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition' solicitation, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of multiple bidders, though not explicitly quantified in the provided data, is implied by this competition type. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. The specific number of bids received would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to secure the best possible pricing and technological solutions.

Public Impact

Military personnel operating in tactical environments will benefit from enhanced communication capabilities. The contract delivers advanced multiband/multimission tactical radio equipment, crucial for modern warfare. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting deployed forces wherever they operate. Workforce implications may include specialized manufacturing and technical support roles within L3Harris Technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if this specific technology becomes a de facto standard without ongoing competitive evaluation.
Reliance on a single contractor for advanced, critical communication systems could pose supply chain risks.
The fixed-price nature, while beneficial, could incentivize cost-cutting that might impact long-term reliability if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
L3Harris Technologies is an established defense contractor with a track record in communications.
The contract addresses a critical need for advanced tactical communication systems.

Sector Analysis

The defense electronics sector is characterized by high R&D investment, stringent performance requirements, and long product lifecycles. This contract for advanced tactical radios fits within the wireless communications equipment manufacturing sub-sector. Spending in this area is driven by the need for secure, reliable, and interoperable communication systems for military operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other procurements for tactical radios, secure communication devices, and related electronic warfare systems within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contract was likely awarded to a large business based on its capabilities and competitive offering. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether L3Harris Technologies engages small businesses as subcontractors for components or specialized services, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified goods within the agreed price. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Tactical Radio Systems
Secure Communications Equipment
Department of Defense Procurement
Advanced Electronic Warfare Systems
Military Communications Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for obsolescence due to rapid technological advancement.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in advanced communication systems.
Interoperability challenges with legacy systems.
Supply chain risks for specialized electronic components.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.5 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ADV. MULTIBAND/MULTIMISSION TACTICAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-05-03. End: 2008-04-30.

What is L3Harris Technologies' track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?

L3Harris Technologies, and its predecessor companies, have a substantial history of securing and performing on Department of Defense contracts, particularly in the areas of communications, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. They are a recognized prime contractor for a wide array of advanced military technologies. Analyzing their past performance on contracts for tactical radios, secure communication systems, and related electronic components would reveal their reliability, quality of delivery, and ability to meet stringent military specifications. Historical data often shows a pattern of successful awards, though like any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary. A deeper dive into their contract history, including any past performance issues or commendations, would provide a more nuanced view of their capabilities relevant to this specific award.

How does the $11.5 million value compare to other advanced tactical radio procurements?

The $11.5 million contract value for advanced multiband tactical radios is a moderate sum within the context of large defense procurements. Procurements for tactical communication systems can range from a few million dollars for smaller quantities or upgrades to hundreds of millions or even billions for large-scale, multi-year system deployments. This specific award suggests a procurement for a significant quantity of radios or a specific set of advanced capabilities, but not necessarily a full force-wide fielding. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this value against contracts for similar radio types (e.g., software-defined radios, multi-band capable, encryption features) awarded by different branches of the military or allied nations. Factors like the number of units procured, the specific technological sophistication (e.g., frequency hopping, anti-jamming capabilities), and the contract duration heavily influence the total value.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of advanced technology procurement?

Procuring advanced technology like multiband tactical radios carries several inherent risks. Technical risk is significant, as cutting-edge technology may not perform as expected in real-world operational environments, or it could become obsolete quickly due to rapid technological advancements. Programmatic risks include potential cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price) and schedule delays, especially if the technology requires extensive development or integration. Contractor performance risk is also present; even established companies like L3Harris can face challenges in meeting delivery schedules or quality standards. Furthermore, cybersecurity risks are paramount for communication systems, requiring robust protection against interception and jamming. Finally, there's a risk of interoperability issues if the new radios do not seamlessly integrate with existing communication architectures.

What is the expected program effectiveness and impact of these advanced radios?

The expected effectiveness of these advanced multiband/multimission tactical radios is to significantly enhance battlefield communication capabilities for the Department of the Navy. Multiband functionality allows for greater flexibility in communication, enabling units to operate across different frequency spectrums and potentially communicate with a wider array of platforms and forces. Multimission capabilities suggest the radios can perform various communication tasks beyond simple voice transmission, possibly including data, situational awareness updates, and network-centric operations. This improved communication is critical for command and control, intelligence sharing, and overall operational tempo, directly contributing to mission success and potentially reducing risks to personnel by providing clearer, more reliable information. The effectiveness will ultimately depend on successful integration into existing command structures and user training.

How has spending on tactical communication systems evolved within the DoD?

Spending on tactical communication systems within the DoD has evolved dramatically, driven by the shift towards network-centric warfare, the need for secure and resilient communications, and the increasing prevalence of digital data transmission. Early spending focused on voice radios and basic data links. Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in investment in software-defined radios (SDRs), which offer greater flexibility and upgradability, and radios capable of operating across multiple frequency bands (multiband) to ensure interoperability and overcome spectrum congestion. Emphasis has also shifted towards integrated systems that combine voice, data, and video, incorporating advanced encryption and anti-jamming technologies. The DoD continually seeks solutions that are smaller, lighter, more power-efficient, and more secure, leading to ongoing research and development and frequent contract awards for next-generation communication equipment.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)

Address: 1680 UNIVERSITY AVE, ROCHESTER, NY, 25

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,532,642

Exercised Options: $11,532,642

Current Obligation: $11,532,642

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0163N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline