DoD's $44.2M contract for communications equipment saw L3Harris Technologies deliver over 548 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,226,722 ($44.2M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-09-29

End Date: 2008-03-30

Contract Duration: 548 days

Daily Burn Rate: $80.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: TAS::21 2020::TAS 200612!009011!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !GS35F0163N !C!N! !N!W15P7T06F0054! !20060929!20080430!002204600!002204600!004203337!N!HARRIS CORPORATION !1680 UNIVERSITY AVE !ROCHESTER !NY!14610!63000!055!36!ROCHESTER !MONROE !NEW YORK !+000046277362!N!N!000000000000!5820!RADIO&TV COMM EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !334290!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !C!N! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14610

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.2 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: TAS::21 2020::TAS 200612!009011!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !GS35F0163N !C!N! !N!W15P7T06F0054! !20060929!20080430!002204600!002204600!004203337!N!HARRIS CORPORATION !1680 UNIVERSITY AVE !ROCHESTER !NY!14610!63000!055!36!ROCHEST… Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in radio and television broadcasting equipment. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance duration of 548 days indicates a medium-term project for equipment supply. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220 points to a specialized manufacturing sector. 5. Awarded by the Defense Contract Management Agency, highlighting its role in supporting defense communications infrastructure. 6. The contract was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger, pre-existing agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $44.2 million for radio and television broadcasting equipment appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of defense-related communications technology. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized electronic equipment is challenging without more granular data on specific item types and quantities. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bore the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the final price was competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies that multiple offers were likely considered.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible pricing through a competitive marketplace, preventing potential overcharges associated with less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical communications equipment. Services delivered include the supply of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment. The geographic impact is likely focused on military installations requiring advanced communication systems. Workforce implications may include manufacturing and logistics roles within L3Harris Technologies and its supply chain.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of specific details on the exact equipment procured makes it difficult to assess if the most advanced or cost-effective solutions were chosen.
  • The contract duration of 548 days could imply potential for obsolescence if the technology has a rapid lifecycle.
  • No information is provided on performance metrics or quality assurance beyond the award itself.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
  • The contract was a delivery order, which can indicate efficient procurement within an established framework.
  • L3Harris Technologies is a known entity in the defense communications sector, suggesting a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Electronics and Communication Equipment' sector, specifically manufacturing of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment. The market for such equipment is driven by technological advancements and defense spending priorities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type and quantity of equipment, but defense contracts for specialized electronics can range from millions to billions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a major corporation, it is unlikely that small businesses would be direct recipients of the prime award. However, L3Harris Technologies may engage small businesses as subcontractors for components or specialized services, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, where the contractor assumes cost risk. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though specific performance details may be limited.

Related Government Programs

  • Defense Communications Systems
  • Radio and Television Broadcasting Equipment Manufacturing
  • Wireless Communications Infrastructure
  • Department of Defense Procurement

Risk Flags

  • Potential for technological obsolescence due to contract duration.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
  • Limited insight into the number of bidders in the competition.

Tags

department-of-defense, communications-equipment, radio-broadcasting, wireless-communications, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, l3harris-technologies, new-york, defense-contract-management-agency, manufacturing, medium-value-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.2 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. TAS::21 2020::TAS 200612!009011!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !GS35F0163N !C!N! !N!W15P7T06F0054! !20060929!20080430!002204600!002204600!004203337!N!HARRIS CORPORATION !1680 UNIVERSITY AVE !ROCHESTER !NY!14610!63000!055!36!ROCHESTER !MONROE !NEW YORK !+000046277362!N!N!000000000000!5820!RADIO&TV COMM EQUIPMENT, EXCEPT AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !334290!E!

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $44.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-29. End: 2008-03-30.

What specific types of radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment were procured under this contract?

The provided data specifies the NAICS code 334220, which covers 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing.' However, it does not detail the exact types of equipment supplied under this particular $44.2 million contract. This could range from base stations, antennas, transmitters, receivers, or other specialized communication hardware. Without further documentation, such as the contract's statement of work or itemized deliverables, the precise nature of the equipment remains unspecified. Understanding the specific equipment is crucial for assessing its technological relevance, potential for obsolescence, and suitability for the intended defense applications.

How does the $44.2 million award compare to other similar procurements for defense communications equipment?

Directly comparing this $44.2 million award requires access to a broader dataset of similar defense contracts for communications equipment, ideally specifying the exact type and quantity of items. However, in the context of major defense procurements, $44.2 million represents a substantial but not exceptionally large contract. It suggests a significant acquisition of specialized equipment rather than a massive, system-wide deployment. For instance, major platform procurements or large-scale network upgrades can easily run into hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. This contract likely addresses a specific need for broadcasting and wireless communication hardware, possibly for a particular base, unit, or operational requirement.

What are the key risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for specialized electronics over a 548-day period?

A primary risk with firm fixed-price contracts, especially for specialized electronics over a 548-day period, is the potential for technological obsolescence. If the equipment's technology evolves rapidly, the procured items might be outdated by the time they are fully delivered or implemented. Another risk is contractor performance; if L3Harris Technologies faces unforeseen production issues or supply chain disruptions, it could lead to delays or quality compromises, although the fixed-price nature incentivizes them to manage these risks. For the government, the risk is paying a fixed price for equipment that may not meet future needs or perform as expected over its intended lifecycle, particularly if the initial requirements were not perfectly defined or if the market shifts significantly during the contract term.

What was the historical spending pattern for this type of equipment by the Department of Defense prior to this contract?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific contract or equipment type. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query contract databases for similar NAICS codes (334220) and product service codes (if available) awarded by the Department of Defense over previous fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and key contractors. Understanding historical spending helps contextualize the $44.2 million award – whether it represents an increase, decrease, or steady level of investment in this category of communications equipment. It also aids in identifying potential budget fluctuations or shifts in strategic priorities related to defense communications technology.

How does the contractor, L3Harris Technologies, perform on other government contracts?

The provided data identifies L3Harris Technologies as the contractor but does not offer specific performance metrics or a track record on other government contracts. A comprehensive assessment of their performance would require accessing broader contract databases to review their history, including on-time delivery rates, quality ratings, past performance evaluations, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. L3Harris is a well-established defense contractor, suggesting a general capability to handle complex government requirements. However, individual contract performance can vary based on project specifics, management, and unforeseen challenges. Without specific performance data linked to this contractor, a definitive assessment of their reliability on this particular contract is limited.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingCommunications Equipment ManufacturingRadio 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, 14610

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0163N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline

Start Date: 2006-09-29

Current End Date: 2008-03-30

Potential End Date: 2008-03-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2017-09-24

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