FAA Awards $102M for Remote Access Capability to Harris Corporation, Ending 2025

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $102,399,338 ($102.4M)

Contractor: Harris Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2006-12-05

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 6,874 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FUNDING FOR MISSION SUPPORT FTI REMOTE ACCESS CAPABILITY (FRAC). DTFA01-02-D-03006/0011. [TID: 23156]. DOP: 74.

Place of Performance

Location: MELBOURNE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32904

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $102.4 million to HARRIS CORPORATION for work described as: FUNDING FOR MISSION SUPPORT FTI REMOTE ACCESS CAPABILITY (FRAC). DTFA01-02-D-03006/0011. [TID: 23156]. DOP: 74. Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $102.4 million for mission support. 2. Harris Corporation is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 3. Long contract duration of nearly 19 years raises questions about adaptability. 4. Telecommunications Resellers sector, with a focus on IT infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $102.4 million appears reasonable for a long-term IT support contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar large-scale telecommunications and remote access solutions would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific details of the competition and how price was determined are not fully elaborated in the provided data.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential mission support infrastructure, with the expectation of value derived from a competitive award.

Public Impact

Ensures continued remote access capabilities for critical FAA missions. Supports telecommunications infrastructure for a key federal agency. Potential for long-term reliance on a single vendor for critical services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (nearly 19 years) may lead to technology obsolescence.
Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to extended contract term.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical mission functions for the FAA.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and Telecommunications sector, specifically for remote access capabilities. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term IT infrastructure contracts can vary widely based on scope and technology.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small businesses in this telecommunications reseller space.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Department of Transportation. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to contract terms, and ensuring continued mission support effectiveness.

Related Government Programs

Telecommunications Resellers
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (6874 days) increases risk of obsolescence.
No explicit small business participation noted.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Limited insight into specific technology and its future-proofing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $102.4 million to HARRIS CORPORATION. FUNDING FOR MISSION SUPPORT FTI REMOTE ACCESS CAPABILITY (FRAC). DTFA01-02-D-03006/0011. [TID: 23156]. DOP: 74.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HARRIS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $102.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-12-05. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific technology being procured for the remote access capability, and how does it align with current and future FAA operational needs?

The provided data does not specify the exact technology. The contract's long duration (ending in 2025) suggests it might encompass evolving technologies, but without details, it's difficult to assess its alignment with future needs. Further inquiry into the technical specifications and upgrade paths is recommended to ensure long-term relevance and effectiveness for the FAA's mission.

Given the nearly 19-year duration, what are the mechanisms for managing technological obsolescence and ensuring the remote access capability remains secure and efficient?

The extended duration presents a significant risk of technological obsolescence. While a Firm Fixed Price contract offers cost certainty, it doesn't inherently address technology refresh cycles. The FAA likely has internal processes or contract clauses for managing such risks, but these are not detailed here. Proactive vendor management and potential contract modifications would be crucial.

How does the $102.4 million award compare to industry benchmarks for similar remote access solutions, considering the contract's extensive lifespan?

Benchmarking this award requires detailed comparison with similar large-scale, long-term telecommunications and remote access contracts within the government and private sectors. The $102.4 million figure spread over nearly 19 years suggests an average annual cost, but the value proposition depends heavily on the specific services, performance metrics, and technological advancements included. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis is needed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers › Telecommunications Resellers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc

Address: 243 SHOEMAKER RD, POTTSTOWN, PA, 19464

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,900,000,000

Exercised Options: $102,399,338

Current Obligation: $102,399,338

Actual Outlays: $32,980,334

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFA0102D03006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline