DoD Awards $96.6M for FLIR STAR SAFIRE III Systems, Sole-Source Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $96,601,880 ($96.6M)

Contractor: Teledyne Flir, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-09-08

End Date: 2009-07-31

Contract Duration: 326 days

Daily Burn Rate: $296.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: FLIR STAR SAFIRE III

Place of Performance

Location: PORTLAND, WASHINGTON County, OREGON, 97224

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $96.6 million to TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC for work described as: FLIR STAR SAFIRE III Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced imaging technology for military operations. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price competition and value. 3. Contract duration of 326 days suggests a focused procurement. 4. Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of the equipment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $96.6M for 1 unit is high. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to market rates for similar advanced imaging systems.

Cost Per Unit: $96,601,880

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may lead to a higher cost for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award means taxpayers may have paid a premium for the FLIR STAR SAFIRE III systems.

Public Impact

Enhances military surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Supports critical defense missions requiring advanced visual information. Potential for technological advancements in defense imaging.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High per-unit cost
Lack of competition

Positive Signals

Acquisition of advanced technology
Supports critical defense needs

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under the 'Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, specifically for advanced military imaging systems. Benchmarks for similar specialized defense electronics are difficult to establish without competitive data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or had the capability to provide these specialized systems.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Defense obtained the best possible value and that the justification for not competing the contract was sound.

Related Government Programs

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
High per-unit cost
Potential for price inflation
Limited transparency in pricing
Sole-source justification validity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $96.6 million to TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC. FLIR STAR SAFIRE III

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $96.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-08. End: 2009-07-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or a lack of other responsible sources that can meet the government's requirements. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to determine the exact reasons, but it implies that Teledyne FLIR, LLC was the only viable option for the FLIR STAR SAFIRE III system.

How does the per-unit cost compare to similar advanced imaging systems acquired competitively?

Direct comparison is challenging due to the specialized nature of the FLIR STAR SAFIRE III and the sole-source award. However, a per-unit cost of over $96 million is exceptionally high. A competitive process would likely have yielded a lower price by fostering market competition and encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

What is the long-term strategic value of acquiring these specific FLIR systems?

The FLIR STAR SAFIRE III systems likely provide critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities essential for modern military operations. Their value lies in enhancing situational awareness, target identification, and operational effectiveness in diverse environments, contributing to national security objectives.

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: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 16505 SW 72ND AVE, PORTLAND, OR, 97224

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $96,601,880

Exercised Options: $96,601,880

Current Obligation: $96,601,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W9113M07D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline