DoD Awards Raytheon $29.3M for W1 Antenna Systems Amidst Sole-Source Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,281,000 ($29.3M)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-10-21

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 1,681 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: W1 ANTENNA

Place of Performance

Location: ANDOVER, ESSEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01810

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.3 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: W1 ANTENNA Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $29.3 million for specialized antenna systems. 2. Sole-source award to Raytheon Company raises questions about competition. 3. Potential risk associated with limited competition impacting price discovery. 4. The contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically instrument manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $29.3 million for W1 Antenna systems is difficult to benchmark without specific technical details and comparable sole-source awards. The lack of competition makes a direct pricing assessment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This method can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award may result in taxpayers paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure to lower prices.

Public Impact

Ensures critical W1 antenna systems are supplied to the Department of Defense. Supports a major defense contractor, Raytheon Company, and its supply chain. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of transparency in pricing
  • Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

  • Ensures supply of critical defense equipment
  • Supports established defense contractor

Sector Analysis

This contract is within the Defense sector, specifically for the manufacturing of search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems. Spending in this sub-sector can be substantial, but benchmarks are highly dependent on the specific technology and system.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is Raytheon Company, a large prime contractor. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific sole-source award, suggesting limited direct impact on the small business sector for this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the government is receiving fair value. Further review of the justification for the sole-source award is recommended.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
  • Dependency on a single supplier for critical equipment.
  • Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-sourcing.

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.3 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. W1 ANTENNA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Logistics Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-21. End: 2026-05-29.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or lack of viable alternatives. Without this specific justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity. Steps to ensure fair pricing in sole-source contracts often include detailed cost analysis, comparison to historical data, and negotiation, but the effectiveness is limited without competitive pressure.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single supplier for critical W1 antenna systems, especially given the long contract duration?

Relying on a single supplier for critical systems like the W1 antenna poses risks of supply chain disruption, lack of innovation, and price escalation over time. If Raytheon faces production issues or decides to increase prices significantly, the DoD has limited recourse due to the sole-source nature of the contract, potentially impacting operational readiness.

How does the $29.3 million contract value compare to similar antenna system procurements, and what is the expected return on investment for the taxpayer?

Direct comparison is challenging due to the sole-source nature and specific 'W1 Antenna' designation. However, for critical defense systems, significant investments are expected. The return on investment for taxpayers is primarily measured by the system's contribution to national security and mission effectiveness, which is difficult to quantify financially, especially when competitive pricing is absent.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: SPRPA120QX107

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: RTX Corp

Address: 350 LOWELL ST, ANDOVER, MA, 01810

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: $29,281,000

Exercised Options: $29,281,000

Current Obligation: $29,281,000

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 44

Total Subaward Amount: $4,891,640

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SPRBL115D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-10-21

Current End Date: 2026-05-29

Potential End Date: 2026-05-29 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-14

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