DoD Awards $275M for Electrical & Electronic Properties Test Instruments to Racal Instruments Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,901,415 ($10.9M)
Contractor: Astronics Test Systems Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2003-07-09
End Date: 2011-07-09
Contract Duration: 2,922 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200310!000414!1700!A8050 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, AIRCRA!N6833503C0196 !A!N! !N! !20030709!20050711!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANGE !CALIFORNIA!+000008794273!N!N!000009065796!6625!ELECTRICAL & ELCT PROPERTIES MEAS & TST INSTRUMNTS!A1C!OTHER AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541990!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !D!U!J!1!001!N!1G!A!Y!A! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: IRVINE, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92618, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC for work described as: 200310!000414!1700!A8050 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, AIRCRA!N6833503C0196 !A!N! !N! !20030709!20050711!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANG… Key points: 1. The contract, awarded in 2003, is for test instruments used in aircraft equipment. 2. The total value is $275.25 million over a period of approximately 8 years. 3. The award was not competed, raising questions about price discovery and potential value. 4. The sector is primarily Defense, with a focus on specialized test equipment.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $275.25 million over 8 years suggests a significant investment. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing the pricing's reasonableness is difficult, especially given the lack of competition.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This limits price discovery and may lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a contract of this magnitude raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long duration of the contract could indicate a critical need for these specialized instruments within the Navy. The specific nature of 'Electrical & Electronic Properties Measurement & Test Instruments' suggests a niche market, potentially limiting viable competitors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- High total value
Positive Signals
- Potential for specialized, high-quality equipment
- Long-term support for critical defense needs
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically for specialized test and measurement equipment for aircraft. Spending in this area is often driven by technological advancements and stringent military requirements, with benchmarks varying widely based on the complexity of the instruments.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' designation suggests that standard competitive oversight processes may have been bypassed. Further review would be needed to understand the justification for this approach and ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition raises value concerns.
- Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving technology needs.
- Limited transparency on justification for non-competition.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, ca, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.9 million to ASTRONICS TEST SYSTEMS INC. 200310!000414!1700!A8050 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER, AIRCRA!N6833503C0196 !A!N! !N! !20030709!20050711!086590841!101939122!275250553!N!RACAL INSTRUMENTS INC !4 GOODYEAR STREET !IRVINE !CA!92618!36770!059!06!IRVINE !ORANGE !CALIFORNIA!+000008794273!N!N!000009065796!6625!ELECTRICAL & ELCT PROPERTIES MEAS & TST INSTRUMNTS!A1C!OTHER AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541990!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 $10.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-07-09. End: 2011-07-09.
What was the specific justification for not competing this contract, and were alternative solutions considered?
The justification for not competing this contract is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards require a strong rationale, such as unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if alternative solutions were explored or if the government received the best possible value.
How does the per-unit cost of these test instruments compare to similar commercially available or government-procured items?
A direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible with the given data. The total award amount and duration are provided, but not the quantity of units or specific item costs. Benchmarking would require detailed specifications of the instruments and comparison against other contracts or commercial offerings, especially considering the 'NOT COMPETED' status.
What is the long-term operational impact and obsolescence risk associated with these test instruments purchased under a sole-source contract?
The long-term operational impact and obsolescence risk are significant considerations. A sole-source award might mean the instruments are highly specialized or proprietary, potentially leading to vendor lock-in and higher sustainment costs. Obsolescence is a constant risk with electronic test equipment; the lack of competition could hinder the government's ability to upgrade or replace these instruments cost-effectively if newer technologies emerge.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
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: Astronics Corporation (UEI: 049829302)
Address: 4 GOODYEAR, IRVINE, CA, 92618
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: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-07-09
Current End Date: 2011-07-09
Potential End Date: 2011-07-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-06-26
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