DoD awards $20.8M for revised tech manuals, supporting critical operational test events
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,847,261 ($20.8M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-04-08
End Date: 2026-09-22
Contract Duration: 2,358 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: DELIVERY ORDER FOR REVISED TECH MANUALS AND OTHER CONTRACT DELIVERABLES TO SUPPORT MANPACK OPERATIONAL TEST EVENT.
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: DELIVERY ORDER FOR REVISED TECH MANUALS AND OTHER CONTRACT DELIVERABLES TO SUPPORT MANPACK OPERATIONAL TEST EVENT. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through firm-fixed-price contract type, aiming for cost certainty. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open approach, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include a long performance period, requiring diligent oversight. 4. Performance context centers on supporting essential operational test events for military readiness. 5. Sector positioning within wireless communications equipment manufacturing highlights a specialized niche.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs. Benchmarking against similar technical documentation and support contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific deliverables. However, the total award amount appears reasonable for a multi-year effort supporting significant operational testing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The presence of a single award does not negate the benefits of the initial competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of the Army by ensuring critical operational test events are adequately supported with updated technical documentation. Delivers revised technical manuals and other contract deliverables essential for the successful execution of manpack operational tests. Geographic impact is centered in Iowa, where the contractor is located, but the operational tests supported may have broader national defense implications. Workforce implications include potential support roles for technical writers, editors, and logistics personnel involved in manual revision and delivery.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (over 6 years) increases the risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
- Reliance on a single awardee for critical deliverables necessitates strong performance monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust initial bidding process.
- Clear objective to support operational test events aligns with defense readiness needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the wireless communications equipment manufacturing sector, a critical component of modern defense systems. The market for specialized technical documentation and support services within this sector is competitive, with established players capable of meeting stringent military requirements. Spending in this area is driven by the need for up-to-date technical information to maintain and operate complex communication hardware.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or as subcontractors, which could impact their participation in this segment of the defense industry.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Army, responsible for monitoring performance, deliverables, and compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Technical Manuals
- Army Operational Test Command Support
- Wireless Communications Equipment Procurement
- Defense Readiness Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may lead to obsolescence of deliverables.
- Potential for scope creep given the extended performance period.
- Reliance on a single awardee requires robust performance monitoring.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, technical-manuals, wireless-communications-equipment-manufacturing, iowa, operational-test-support, l3harris-technologies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. DELIVERY ORDER FOR REVISED TECH MANUALS AND OTHER CONTRACT DELIVERABLES TO SUPPORT MANPACK OPERATIONAL TEST EVENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-08. End: 2026-09-22.
What is the historical spending pattern for similar technical manual support contracts within the Department of the Army?
Analyzing historical spending for similar technical manual support contracts within the Department of the Army requires access to detailed contract databases. Generally, such contracts can range significantly in value depending on the complexity of the equipment, the scope of documentation required (e.g., initial development vs. revisions), and the duration of the support period. Contracts supporting major weapon systems or complex communication suites often involve multi-year efforts with values in the millions or tens of millions of dollars. Factors influencing spending include the pace of technological advancement, the frequency of operational tests, and the specific requirements for training and maintenance documentation. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to provide precise historical benchmarks, but this $20.8M award appears to be within a typical range for substantial, multi-year technical support for critical defense assets.
How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for technical manual development and revision services?
Benchmarking the awarded price of $20.8 million against industry standards for technical manual development and revision is complex without granular details on the specific deliverables, labor categories, and service levels. However, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type suggests that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. assumed the risk for cost overruns, which often implies a competitive pricing strategy during the bidding phase. Industry rates for technical writers, illustrators, editors, and project managers vary by experience, location, and security clearance requirements. For a multi-year contract supporting complex defense systems, the total value is plausible. A more precise comparison would require analyzing the number of hours, types of personnel, and complexity of the technical content against standard industry cost models and rates for similar government contracts.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the contractor's performance on this delivery order?
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this delivery order would likely focus on the timely and accurate delivery of revised technical manuals and other contract deliverables. Specific KPIs could include adherence to delivery schedules for draft and final documents, the number of revisions required due to errors or omissions, compliance with specified formatting and content standards (e.g., MIL-STD requirements), and the successful support of the manpack operational test events. Feedback from the operational test teams regarding the usability and accuracy of the manuals would also be a critical performance measure. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring the contractor meets the contract's requirements throughout the performance period.
What is the track record of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. in delivering similar technical documentation support to the Department of Defense?
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has a significant track record of supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) across various programs, including those involving complex communication systems and technical documentation. As a major defense contractor, they possess extensive experience in developing, revising, and delivering technical manuals, training materials, and other support documentation that meet stringent military standards. Their past performance likely includes numerous contracts for similar services, demonstrating their capability to manage large-scale documentation projects, adhere to delivery schedules, and meet quality requirements. Reviewing their contract history with the DoD would reveal specific examples of successful projects, their performance ratings on those contracts, and their overall reliability in fulfilling complex technical support requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with the long performance period (2020-2026) for this contract?
The extended performance period of over six years for this contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, the rapid evolution of technology, particularly in wireless communications, could render the initial technical manuals outdated before the contract's end, necessitating costly updates or revisions beyond the original scope. Secondly, personnel turnover within the contractor's team could lead to a loss of institutional knowledge and impact the quality or consistency of deliverables. Thirdly, changes in military requirements, operational doctrines, or budget priorities within the Department of the Army could affect the relevance or necessity of the contracted support. Finally, a longer duration increases the potential for unforeseen issues, scope creep, or performance degradation over time, requiring sustained and vigilant contract management and oversight.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 1680 UNIVERSITY AVE, ROCHESTER, NY, 14610
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: $20,847,261
Exercised Options: $20,847,261
Current Obligation: $20,847,261
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T16D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-09-22
Potential End Date: 2026-09-22 12:09:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-17
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