Army awards $23.5M for 4 Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems (TEWS) for Infantry Squad Vehicles
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,445,757 ($34.4M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2021-05-26
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,588 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER W56KGY21F0003 IS TO PROVIDE INITIAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,464,967 TO PROCURE FOUR (4) OF THE SIX (6) PROPOSED TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM (TEWS) INFANTRY SQUAD VEHICLE (ISV) PLATFORM, (TEWS-I).
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $34.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER W56KGY21F0003 IS TO PROVIDE INITIAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,464,967 TO PROCURE FOUR (4) OF THE SIX (6) PROPOSED TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM (TEWS) INFANTRY SQUAD VEHICLE (ISV) PLATFORM, (TEWS-I). Key points: 1. Procurement of 4 TEWS-I platforms for Infantry Squad Vehicles. 2. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. 3. Significant funding allocated for advanced electronic warfare capabilities. 4. Potential for future procurements of the remaining 2 TEWS-I platforms.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award amount is $23,464,967 for 4 units. This suggests a per-unit cost of approximately $5.86 million. Without specific details on the TEWS-I platform's capabilities and comparable systems, a precise benchmark is difficult, but this appears to be a substantial investment for specialized military hardware.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. This approach may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a specialized defense system, with the cost and value dependent on the effectiveness and necessity of the TEWS-I for Army operations.
Public Impact
Enhances infantry squad's electronic warfare capabilities on the battlefield. Supports modernization efforts within the U.S. Army. Contributes to the defense industrial base, specifically in communications equipment manufacturing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may result in higher costs.
- Limited transparency on the specific capabilities and necessity of the TEWS-I.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for advanced EW systems.
- Supports a key defense contractor.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls under the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, specifically for advanced electronic warfare systems. Defense spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, and contract values can vary widely based on system complexity and quantity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific task order, which is common for large, specialized defense procurements.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army is the awarding agency. Oversight would typically involve program management reviews, contract performance monitoring, and financial audits to ensure funds are used effectively and as intended.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
- High per-unit cost for specialized electronic warfare equipment.
- Lack of detailed public information on system capabilities and performance metrics.
- Potential for follow-on procurements without competitive bidding.
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, az, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $34.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER W56KGY21F0003 IS TO PROVIDE INITIAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $23,464,967 TO PROCURE FOUR (4) OF THE SIX (6) PROPOSED TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM (TEWS) INFANTRY SQUAD VEHICLE (ISV) PLATFORM, (TEWS-I).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, 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 $34.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-05-26. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the specific operational advantage gained by equipping Infantry Squad Vehicles with TEWS-I, and how does it justify the sole-source award?
The operational advantage of TEWS-I likely lies in providing infantry squads with enhanced capabilities to detect, identify, and counter enemy electronic warfare threats in real-time. This could include jamming enemy communications, detecting surveillance systems, or protecting friendly forces from electronic attacks. The sole-source award suggests that General Dynamics may possess unique, proprietary technology or that the urgency of the requirement precluded a lengthy competitive process, though the specific justification needs further examination.
Given the $23.5 million award for four units, what is the projected cost for the remaining two TEWS-I platforms, and what factors influence this potential future cost?
The current award for four TEWS-I units totals $23,464,967, averaging approximately $5.86 million per unit. If the remaining two units are procured under similar conditions, their cost could be around $11.7 million. However, factors like potential cost reductions through economies of scale, changes in material costs, or the addition/modification of features for subsequent units could influence the final price. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) also means actual costs will be reconciled.
How does the integration of TEWS-I onto the Infantry Squad Vehicle platform align with broader Army modernization strategies and potential future battlefield requirements?
Integrating TEWS-I onto the ISV aligns with the Army's modernization strategy by enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of dismounted units in contested electromagnetic spectrum environments. As future battlefields are expected to be highly contested, providing mobile, organic electronic warfare capabilities to infantry squads is crucial for maintaining situational awareness, disrupting enemy operations, and protecting forces. This move supports the concept of multi-domain operations by ensuring tactical units have the necessary tools to operate effectively across all domains.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corporation
Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,445,757
Exercised Options: $34,445,757
Current Obligation: $34,445,757
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 29
Total Subaward Amount: $14,827,412
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W56KGY17D0006
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-05-26
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 12:09:00
Last Modified: 2024-06-20
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