DoD Awards $10.8M for Long Term Display Systems to Northrop Grumman

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,840,828 ($10.8M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-05-13

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,301 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LONG TERM DISPLAY - CDR-TRR

Place of Performance

Location: SYKESVILLE, CARROLL County, MARYLAND, 21784

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.8 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: LONG TERM DISPLAY - CDR-TRR Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $10.8 million for specialized display systems. 2. Sole-source award to Northrop Grumman indicates limited competition. 3. Potential risk associated with single-vendor reliance for critical components. 4. Spending falls within the broader IT and Defense sectors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar display system contracts is difficult without more specific technical details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

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

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher taxpayer expenditure than if the contract had been awarded through a more open bidding process.

Public Impact

Ensures continued availability of critical display technology for naval operations. Supports a major defense contractor, potentially impacting the defense industrial base. Lack of transparency in the award process may raise public scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost escalation risk.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to potential performance issues.

Positive Signals

  • Ensures supply of essential long-term display systems.
  • Supports a key defense contractor's operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the IT and Defense sectors, specifically related to specialized display manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for such niche systems are highly variable and depend on technological complexity and scale.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, a large prime contractor. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting limited opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy is the awarding agency. Oversight will be crucial to manage the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and ensure performance aligns with the contract's objectives and taxpayer interests.

Related Government Programs

  • Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to inflated prices.
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is susceptible to cost overruns.
  • Long contract duration increases risk of obsolescence or performance degradation.
  • Sole-source award limits opportunities for innovation from other vendors.

Tags

fluid-power-cylinder-and-actuator-manufa, department-of-defense, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.8 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. LONG TERM DISPLAY - CDR-TRR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN 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 $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-05-13. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one source can fulfill the requirement. Without specific details, it's difficult to assess if alternative competitive strategies were thoroughly explored. Agencies are generally required to justify sole-source awards to ensure fair and reasonable pricing and maximize competition where feasible.

How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value for money?

Effective management of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract requires robust oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics. The government must actively monitor incurred costs, ensure they are reasonable and allocable, and verify that the fixed fee is earned based on performance. Regular audits and milestone reviews are essential to control spending and prevent scope creep.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables for these long-term display systems, and how will their effectiveness be measured?

Performance metrics for long-term display systems would likely include reliability, durability, resolution, power consumption, and operational lifespan under specified environmental conditions. Effectiveness would be measured against the mission requirements of the Department of the Navy, ensuring the displays provide clear, accurate, and timely information critical for operational success. Deliverables would include the physical systems, documentation, and potentially training or support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingOther General Purpose Machinery ManufacturingFluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N6833519R0033

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Address: 7301 SYKESVILLE RD, SYKESVILLE, MD, 21784

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: $10,840,828

Exercised Options: $10,840,828

Current Obligation: $10,840,828

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $550,152

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6833520G3037

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline

Start Date: 2020-05-13

Current End Date: 2026-08-31

Potential End Date: 2026-08-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-18

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