DoD Awards Northrop Grumman $17.3M for AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting Set Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,343,603 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-08-23

End Date: 2026-02-15

Contract Duration: 907 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: AN/APR-39 RADAR SIGNAL DETECTING SET (RDTS) SERVICES TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ROLLING MEADOWS, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60008

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: AN/APR-39 RADAR SIGNAL DETECTING SET (RDTS) SERVICES TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, large defense contractor. 2. Focus on specialized radar signal detection systems. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure. 4. Sector is critical for military situational awareness.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Incentive Fee type, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar radar system services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

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

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these specialized radar services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational capability for critical radar systems. Supports advanced military intelligence and threat detection. Impacts readiness of Army aviation units relying on this equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Cost-plus contract type carries inherent cost risk.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to price fluctuations.

Positive Signals

  • Essential technology for national defense.
  • Contractor has established expertise in this niche.
  • Incentive fee structure may encourage performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on electronic warfare and radar systems. Spending in this area is driven by evolving threats and the need for advanced situational awareness capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is a large corporation, and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract. Opportunities for small businesses may exist further down the supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

The Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure requires robust oversight to ensure cost control and contractor performance. The Department of Defense should monitor expenditures closely against performance metrics.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Cost-plus contract type
  • Long contract duration
  • Lack of transparency on performance metrics

Tags

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.3 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. AN/APR-39 RADAR SIGNAL DETECTING SET (RDTS) SERVICES TASK ORDER

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 Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-23. End: 2026-02-15.

What is the projected cost savings or efficiency gains anticipated from the incentive fee structure in this contract?

The incentive fee structure is designed to reward the contractor for meeting or exceeding performance targets while potentially controlling costs. However, without specific target metrics and baseline cost estimates, it's difficult to quantify the exact savings. The effectiveness relies heavily on the government's ability to set challenging yet achievable goals and monitor progress rigorously.

How does the lack of competition for this radar system service impact the government's ability to secure competitive pricing in the future?

Sole-source awards can diminish competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices over time as the contractor faces less market scrutiny. To mitigate this, the government should explore options for future competition, such as encouraging new entrants or breaking down the requirement into smaller, more contestable components if feasible.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the incentive fee, and how will their achievement be measured?

The specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs might include system reliability, response time, maintenance turnaround, or successful integration with other platforms. Robust measurement mechanisms and independent verification are crucial to ensure the incentive fee is earned based on genuine performance improvements and not just cost accumulation.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation

Address: 600 HICKS RD, ROLLING MEADOWS, IL, 60008

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: $22,931,596

Exercised Options: $17,343,603

Current Obligation: $17,343,603

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $180,193

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W58RGZ23D0058

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-08-23

Current End Date: 2026-02-15

Potential End Date: 2026-02-15 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-21

More Contracts from Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

View all Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending