Naval Undersea Warfare Center contract for communication equipment awarded to Racal Instruments Inc. for over $21.9 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,904,230 ($21.9M)

Contractor: Astronics Test Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-08-21

End Date: 2010-12-30

Contract Duration: 2,688 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200311!030007!1700!BW24A !NAVAL UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER, N!N6660403C0007 !A!N! !N! !20030821!20080820!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANGE !CALIFORNIA!+000002353288!N!N!000000000000!5895!MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !334220!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!001!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !Z! !A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! !N66604!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: IRVINE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92618

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC for work described as: 200311!030007!1700!BW24A !NAVAL UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER, N!N6660403C0007 !A!N! !N! !20030821!20080820!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANG… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for miscellaneous communication equipment, indicating a need for specialized hardware. 2. The contract duration of approximately 7.5 years suggests a long-term requirement for these supplies. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 4. The primary contractor, Racal Instruments Inc., has a track record in supplying communication equipment. 5. The contract falls under the 'Miscellaneous Communication Equipment' category, suggesting a niche market. 6. The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, ensuring oversight.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.9 million over approximately 7.5 years for miscellaneous communication equipment appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized defense hardware. However, without specific details on the equipment procured and its technical specifications, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar, more granularly defined contracts for communication systems would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of a competitive bidding process suggests that the government sought the best possible pricing and technical solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a significant level of market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

Naval operations and undersea warfare capabilities are directly supported by the communication equipment provided. Personnel involved in naval undersea warfare will utilize the procured communication systems. The contract supports the Department of Defense's broader mission in national security. The geographic impact is primarily within naval facilities and operational areas, with potential for deployment globally.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The long contract duration could lead to potential obsolescence of technology if not managed proactively.
Lack of specific details on the 'miscellaneous communication equipment' makes it difficult to assess technical suitability and performance.
The contract was awarded in 2003, and technology may have advanced significantly since then, raising questions about current relevance.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive process.
The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, indicating established oversight procedures.
The contractor, Racal Instruments Inc., was selected, implying they met the technical and performance requirements at the time of award.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector (NAICS 334220). This sector is crucial for defense communications, providing essential hardware for command, control, and intelligence. The market for defense communication equipment is characterized by high technological standards, stringent security requirements, and often long procurement cycles. Spending in this area is significant across various defense agencies to maintain technological superiority.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor may have engaged small businesses as subcontractors, though this information is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for overseeing contract performance and ensuring compliance with terms and conditions. Oversight mechanisms would typically include regular reporting, inspections, and performance reviews. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific details of performance and financial oversight are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Naval Warfare Systems
Defense Communications Equipment
Undersea Warfare Technology
Communication Systems Procurement
Department of Defense IT and Communications

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
Lack of specific equipment details hinders detailed value assessment.
Contract awarded in 2003; current relevance of technology is questionable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC. 200311!030007!1700!BW24A !NAVAL UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER, N!N6660403C0007 !A!N! !N! !20030821!20080820!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANGE !CALIFORNIA!+000002353288!N!N!000000000000!5895!MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPME!2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !334220!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-08-21. End: 2010-12-30.

What specific types of communication equipment were procured under this contract?

The contract specifies the procurement of 'Miscellaneous Communication Equipment' under NAICS code 334220. However, the exact nature and technical specifications of this equipment are not detailed in the provided data. This broad categorization suggests it could encompass a range of devices, potentially including radios, transceivers, signal processing units, or other specialized hardware critical for naval undersea operations. Further investigation into contract line item numbers (CLINs) or technical exhibits would be required to identify the precise equipment.

How does the contract value compare to similar procurements for communication equipment by the Navy?

Comparing the $21.9 million contract value for 'Miscellaneous Communication Equipment' over approximately 7.5 years requires context. The 'miscellaneous' designation makes direct comparison difficult without knowing the specific items. However, for large-scale defense communication systems, this value might be moderate. For instance, contracts for advanced sonar systems or integrated communication suites can run into hundreds of millions or billions. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts for similar quantities and technological sophistication of communication hardware procured by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center or other naval commands during the 2003-2010 period.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) and how did Racal Instruments Inc. perform against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract or Racal Instruments Inc.'s performance against them. Typically, defense contracts outline detailed performance metrics related to delivery schedules, equipment reliability, technical compliance, and warranty support. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) would have been responsible for monitoring these aspects. Without access to performance reports or contract modifications, assessing the contractor's performance beyond the fact of award and completion is not possible from this dataset.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Miscellaneous Communication Equipment' by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center?

The provided data only details a single contract awarded in 2003. To understand historical spending trends for 'Miscellaneous Communication Equipment' by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), a broader analysis of NUWC's procurement history over several fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve querying contract databases for all awards under relevant NAICS codes (like 334220) and PSC codes related to communication equipment. Analyzing these trends would reveal patterns in spending, identify key suppliers, and highlight fluctuations in demand for such equipment.

Were there any contract modifications or change orders, and what was their impact?

The provided data does not explicitly list contract modifications or change orders for this contract (N6660403C0007). However, given the contract's duration of over 7.5 years (from August 2003 to August 2008 for the initial period, with potential extensions implied by the end date of Dec 2010), it is highly probable that modifications occurred. These could have adjusted scope, funding, or delivery schedules. Without access to the contract's amendment history, it's impossible to determine their nature or impact on the overall value and timeline.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Astronics Corporation (UEI: 049829302)

Address: 4 GOODYEAR, IRVINE, CA, 47

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline