DoD awards $138.6M contract for 150W Manpack Radio System to L3Harris Technologies
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $138,601,760 ($138.6M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2010-04-30
End Date: 2010-11-30
Contract Duration: 214 days
Daily Burn Rate: $647.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 150W VEHICLE SYSTEM MANPACK RADIO A/N PRC 150(C)
Place of Performance
Location: ROCHESTER, MONROE County, NEW YORK, 14610
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $138.6 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: 150W VEHICLE SYSTEM MANPACK RADIO A/N PRC 150(C) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to L3Harris Technologies for a critical communication system. 2. The award represents a significant investment in tactical radio technology. 3. Lack of competition raises questions about potential price inflation. 4. Spending falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $138.6 million for 150W Manpack Radios appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar advanced tactical radio systems is difficult without competitive data, but the unit price is likely influenced by the sole-source nature of the award.
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 taxpayers compared to a competitive procurement process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying a premium for this radio system, impacting overall taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Ensures U.S. Special Operations Command has advanced communication capabilities. Supports the development and deployment of critical battlefield technology. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award impacts taxpayer funds.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price negotiation.
- High contract value warrants close monitoring.
- Limited contract duration (214 days) may indicate a specific, short-term need or a precursor to a larger, competed effort.
Positive Signals
- Provides essential communication equipment for special operations.
- Awarded to a known defense contractor with relevant expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense communications, with benchmarks varying widely based on system complexity and quantity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting missed opportunities for small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight to ensure fair pricing and justification. The Department of Defense and U.S. Special Operations Command should have internal mechanisms to validate the necessity and cost-effectiveness of non-competed contracts.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- U.S. Special Operations Command Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of transparency in pricing justification
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited small business participation
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-defense, ny, do, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $138.6 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. 150W VEHICLE SYSTEM MANPACK RADIO A/N PRC 150(C)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $138.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-04-30. End: 2010-11-30.
What is the justification for the sole-source award of this critical communication system?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. Without further documentation, it's difficult to assess the validity of this justification. However, such awards often lack the price competition that drives down costs, potentially leading to higher expenditures for the government.
How does the unit cost of this manpack radio compare to similar systems procured competitively?
Direct comparison is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award. Competitive procurements for advanced tactical radios often yield lower unit prices due to market forces. The absence of competition here suggests that the government may be paying a premium, and a thorough cost analysis by the agency would be needed to confirm if the price is reasonable and reflects fair market value.
What is the long-term strategy for acquiring these manpack radios, and will future procurements be competed?
The short contract duration (214 days) might suggest this is an interim solution or a bridge contract. A long-term strategy should ideally involve competitive procurement to leverage market dynamics for better pricing and innovation. Understanding the future acquisition plan is crucial for assessing the overall value and taxpayer impact beyond this initial sole-source award.
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, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $138,601,760
Exercised Options: $138,601,760
Current Obligation: $138,601,760
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: H9222207D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-04-30
Current End Date: 2010-11-30
Potential End Date: 2010-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-06-30
More Contracts from L3harris Technologies, Inc.
- 200204!000024!5700!GV59 !esc/Ndk !F1962802C0010 !A!N! !N! !20020130!20020930!052819732!052819732!001216845!n!itt Industries, Inc , Systems !4410 E Fountain Blvd !colorado Sprin !co!80916!16000!041!08!colorado Springs !EL Paso !colorado !+000003175920!n!n!000519009204!j099!maint & Repair of Eq/Miscellaneous Equipment !A7 !electronics and Communication !3gwq!474l Bmews !541512!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !B! !a!n!r!2!002!b! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!d!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! — $2.2B (Department of Defense)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (Department of Commerce)
- Requisition for MOD - Incrementally Funded - This PR Provides Funding for Ads-B National Contract Support for SBS Program Office — $1.3B (Department of Transportation)
- Award of Maintenance of Space Surveillence and Integrated Capabilities Contract — $1.2B (Department of Defense)
- TAS::80 0122::TAS Development, Manufacturing and Support to Weather Observing Instrument — $1.0B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)