DoD's $98.6M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to BAE Systems for Aircraft Parts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $98,614,224 ($98.6M)
Contractor: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2025-01-01
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 423 days
Daily Burn Rate: $233.1K/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: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03060
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $98.6 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC. for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $98.6 million awarded. 2. BAE Systems is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract is for 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing'. 4. Risk of inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $98.6 million is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar aircraft parts contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these aircraft parts.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the sole-source award. Potential for reduced innovation if alternative suppliers are not explored. Ensuring the quality and necessity of the parts is crucial given the award method.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of price competition
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Specific need for BAE Systems' expertise
- Clear contract duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing' sector. Spending in this area is critical for defense readiness, but competitive procurement is key to cost efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to ensure the necessity of the sole-source award and to validate the pricing against industry benchmarks. The Department of the Air Force should justify the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for above-market pricing.
- Lack of transparency in price justification.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
other-aircraft-parts-and-auxiliary-equip, department-of-defense, nh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $98.6 million to BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.. BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC..
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 $98.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-01-01. End: 2026-02-28.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps are being taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities or proprietary technology held by the contractor. The Department of Defense should provide documentation supporting this. To ensure fair pricing, they might conduct market research to establish a reasonable price or rely on historical pricing data, though competitive benchmarking is ideal.
What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract for aircraft parts, and how are they being mitigated?
Risks include inflated prices due to lack of competition, potential for vendor lock-in, and reduced incentive for innovation. Mitigation strategies could involve rigorous price negotiation, independent cost analysis, and exploring future competitive opportunities for similar needs. Ensuring strict quality control is also paramount.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the 'BIG SAFARI' program, and is the value justified?
The 'BIG SAFARI' program likely supports critical Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The effectiveness hinges on the timely delivery of high-quality, specialized aircraft parts. The value is justified if these parts are essential and unavailable elsewhere, and if the price, despite being sole-source, reflects a reasonable cost for that unique necessity.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing › Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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: Ball Corporation
Address: 65 SPIT BROOK RD, NASHUA, NH, 03060
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $98,614,224
Exercised Options: $98,614,224
Current Obligation: $98,614,224
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 18
Total Subaward Amount: $37,833,414
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4028
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-01-01
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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