DoD's $310M BIG SAFARI Contract Awarded to L3Harris for Aircraft Parts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $310,314,973 ($310.3M)
Contractor: L3harris Technologies Integrated Systems L.P.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-04-02
End Date: 2027-08-30
Contract Duration: 2,706 days
Daily Burn Rate: $114.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: GREENVILLE, HUNT County, TEXAS, 75402
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $310.3 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $310.3 million. 2. Awarded to a single, large contractor, L3Harris Technologies. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating price certainty. 4. The sector is Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value is substantial, but without specific unit cost data or comparison points for 'BIG SAFARI', a precise value assessment is difficult. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment.
Public Impact
Impacts the Department of the Air Force's operational capabilities. Supports the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector. Potential for cost overruns due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- Long contract duration (2020-2027)
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
- Clear end-date for spending
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector, specifically focusing on aircraft parts. Spending in this area is critical for national security but often involves complex supply chains and specialized components.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the scope or nature of the work may not have been suitable for small business participation, or that opportunities were not actively pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'BIG SAFARI' program name implies a potentially broad scope. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the funds are used effectively and that the contractor meets all performance requirements, especially given the sole-source nature.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source award
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables
- Long contract duration without clear milestones
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, tx, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $310.3 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P.. BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS L.P..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $310.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-04-02. End: 2027-08-30.
What specific aircraft parts or auxiliary equipment does 'BIG SAFARI' encompass, and how critical are they to Air Force operations?
The specific components under the 'BIG SAFARI' program are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the substantial $310 million award and the contractor's specialization, these likely represent critical, potentially proprietary or highly specialized, parts essential for maintaining and operating key Air Force aircraft platforms. Further investigation into the program's objectives would clarify their operational significance.
What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and what measures are in place to mitigate potential cost overruns?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, such justifications cite reasons like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. To mitigate cost overruns, the Firm Fixed Price contract type offers some protection, but robust contract management and performance monitoring by the Air Force are essential.
How does the $310 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar aircraft parts or auxiliary equipment by the Department of Defense?
Without specific benchmarks for 'BIG SAFARI' or comparable sole-source contracts for similar aircraft parts, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $310 million represents a significant investment. Analyzing historical spending on similar sole-source awards within the defense sector for specialized aircraft components would be necessary to determine if this represents an outlier or a typical expenditure for such critical, non-competed items.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
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
Address: 10001 JACK FINNEY BLVD, GREENVILLE, TX, 75402
Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $310,314,973
Exercised Options: $310,314,973
Current Obligation: $310,314,973
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $264,845,394
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3027
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-04-02
Current End Date: 2027-08-30
Potential End Date: 2027-08-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-18
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