DoD awards $155M for MRAP program radio systems to L3Harris Technologies, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $154,938,635 ($154.9M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2009-08-11
End Date: 2010-11-15
Contract Duration: 461 days
Daily Burn Rate: $336.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: THIS IS A DXA4 RATED DELIVERY ORDER IN SUPPORT OF THE MRAP PROGRAM. ACQUISITION OF AN/PRC-117F RADIO TACSAT RADIO SYSTEMS. THIS RADIO SYSTEM WILL BE ACQUIRED IN MANPACK, VEHICULAR, AND DISMOUNTED CONFIGURATIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14610
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $154.9 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A DXA4 RATED DELIVERY ORDER IN SUPPORT OF THE MRAP PROGRAM. ACQUISITION OF AN/PRC-117F RADIO TACSAT RADIO SYSTEMS. THIS RADIO SYSTEM WILL BE ACQUIRED IN MANPACK, VEHICULAR, AND DISMOUNTED CONFIGURATIONS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on acquiring radio systems for the MRAP program in various configurations. 2. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a non-competitive procurement. 3. The contract duration is approximately 1.5 years, suggesting a focused, short-term need. 4. The acquisition includes manpack, vehicular, and dismounted configurations, highlighting versatility. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 6. This award falls under the broader MRAP program, which has seen significant investment.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar radio system procurements. The firm fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty. However, the lack of competition raises questions about whether the government achieved the best possible price. Further analysis would require understanding the specific technical requirements and comparing L3Harris's pricing to other potential suppliers for comparable systems.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific vendor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or when there is an urgent need that precludes a full and open competition. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery and innovation that can arise from a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive bid. It also limits opportunities for other businesses to compete for government contracts.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Army personnel operating MRAP vehicles, who will receive enhanced communication capabilities. The contract delivers critical radio communication systems essential for tactical operations and situational awareness. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting deployed forces wherever MRAP vehicles are utilized. The award supports jobs within L3Harris Technologies, Inc., a major defense contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Limited transparency into the justification for sole-source award.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if this system becomes standard without future competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Acquisition supports critical communication needs for the MRAP program.
- Awardee is an established defense contractor with relevant experience.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader defense electronics and communications sector. The market for tactical radio systems is characterized by a few large, established players like L3Harris, BAE Systems, and Thales. While there is innovation, the barriers to entry can be high due to stringent military specifications and existing relationships. Spending in this sub-sector is driven by the need for secure, reliable, and interoperable communication systems for modern warfare, particularly in counter-insurgency and expeditionary environments.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The awardee, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., is a large defense contractor. This means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific award are likely limited, though they may be involved further down the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and program management structures. Specific oversight mechanisms would include contract administration by the relevant Army contracting office, performance monitoring, and potentially audits by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) or the Inspector General. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, but contract awards are generally reported in federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- MRAP Program
- Tactical Radio Systems
- Department of the Army Communications Equipment Procurement
- Defense Communications Systems
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
- Limited public data on specific technical requirements and performance benchmarks.
- Potential for obsolescence in rapidly evolving communications technology.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wireless-communications-equipment-manufacturing, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, mrap-program, tactical-communications, l3harris-technologies, new-york, communications-equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $154.9 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. THIS IS A DXA4 RATED DELIVERY ORDER IN SUPPORT OF THE MRAP PROGRAM. ACQUISITION OF AN/PRC-117F RADIO TACSAT RADIO SYSTEMS. THIS RADIO SYSTEM WILL BE ACQUIRED IN MANPACK, VEHICULAR, AND DISMOUNTED CONFIGURATIONS.
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 $154.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-11. End: 2010-11-15.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. Typically, sole-source awards are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, often due to proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or urgent and compelling needs that preclude full and open competition. For this specific AN/PRC-117F radio system, the justification might stem from L3Harris Technologies, Inc. holding specific patents, unique integration capabilities with existing MRAP platforms, or a critical operational need that necessitated rapid procurement without the time for a competitive process. A formal Justification and Approval (J&A) document would normally detail these reasons.
How does the unit cost of the AN/PRC-117F radio systems compare to similar tactical radio procurements?
Direct comparison of unit costs is difficult without knowing the exact quantity of radios acquired across the manpack, vehicular, and dismounted configurations, and the total value attributed to each. The total award is $154,938,634.67 over approximately 1.5 years. To benchmark, one would need to identify the number of systems procured and divide the total cost by this quantity. Furthermore, comparisons should be made against similar tactical radio systems procured by the DoD or other government agencies, considering factors like frequency range, encryption capabilities, data transmission rates, ruggedization, and power requirements. Without this granular data, assessing value for money on a per-unit basis is speculative.
What are the key performance metrics or expected outcomes for these radio systems within the MRAP program?
The primary expected outcome is the provision of reliable and secure voice and data communication capabilities for personnel operating within and around MRAP vehicles. Key performance metrics would likely include signal range, clarity of transmission, resistance to jamming and interference, battery life (for manpack/dismounted configurations), data throughput rates, interoperability with other battlefield systems, and durability under harsh environmental conditions. The success of the delivery order would be measured by the systems' ability to meet these technical specifications and enhance the operational effectiveness and situational awareness of MRAP crews.
What is L3Harris Technologies, Inc.'s track record with the MRAP program or similar radio system contracts?
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (and its predecessor companies) has a significant history of supplying communication systems, including tactical radios, to the U.S. military. They are a major defense contractor with extensive experience in radio manufacturing and integration. While specific details on their involvement with the MRAP program prior to this award are not provided, their established presence in the defense communications market suggests a strong capability to fulfill such requirements. Their track record would typically be assessed based on past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of products, and responsiveness to government needs.
What is the historical spending trend for AN/PRC-117F radios or similar systems within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending on AN/PRC-117F radios and comparable tactical communication systems within the DoD is likely substantial, reflecting the ongoing need for advanced battlefield communications. The AN/PRC-117F is a widely used family of radios. Spending patterns would fluctuate based on modernization programs, operational tempo, and specific platform integration requirements (like the MRAP). Analyzing past contract awards for this radio family and its predecessors/successors would reveal trends in procurement quantities, pricing, and the number of competitive solicitations over time. This specific $155 million award represents a significant, albeit potentially short-term, investment.
Are there any identified risks associated with the performance or delivery of these radio systems?
Potential risks include technical issues arising from integration with diverse MRAP variants, potential delays in manufacturing or delivery, and the possibility of the technology becoming obsolete relatively quickly in the fast-paced field of military communications. Given the sole-source nature, there's also a risk related to contractor performance; if L3Harris faces production challenges or quality control issues, the government has fewer immediate alternatives. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the radio systems could also pose a risk, requiring robust testing and mitigation strategies.
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: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)
Address: 1680 UNIVERSITY AVE, ROCHESTER, NY, 25
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: $154,938,635
Exercised Options: $154,938,635
Current Obligation: $154,938,635
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T09DK002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-11
Current End Date: 2010-11-15
Potential End Date: 2010-11-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-30
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