DoD Awards $58M Anti-Jam Modem Contract to L3 Technologies Amidst Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $58,096,776 ($58.1M)
Contractor: L3 Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-03-27
End Date: 2027-04-01
Contract Duration: 2,561 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE
Sector: IT
Official Description: AIR FORCE AND ARMY ANTI-JAM MODEM DEVELOPMENT AND PRE-PRODUCTION
Place of Performance
Location: CAMDEN, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08103
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $58.1 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: AIR FORCE AND ARMY ANTI-JAM MODEM DEVELOPMENT AND PRE-PRODUCTION Key points: 1. Contract value of $58.1M for modem development and pre-production. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability. 3. Potential risk associated with fixed-price incentive contract type. 4. Sector focus on Radio and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The $58.1M award for anti-jam modem development appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the technology. Benchmarking against similar defense communication hardware contracts would provide further context on pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors could have bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to maximize taxpayer value by fostering a competitive environment for contract awards.
Public Impact
Enhances military communication resilience against jamming. Supports modernization of Air Force and Army communication systems. Potential for technological advancements in secure wireless communication.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Fixed-price incentive contract may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
- Reliance on a single awardee for development and pre-production.
- Long contract duration (over 6 years) increases exposure to technological obsolescence.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses critical military communication needs.
- Contract aims for technological advancement in anti-jam capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing sector. Spending in this sector is crucial for national defense and technological innovation, with benchmarks varying widely based on specialization and R&D intensity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense's oversight mechanisms will be critical in managing the fixed-price incentive contract to ensure cost control and timely delivery of the anti-jam modems.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Fixed-price incentive contract risk
- Long-term contract duration
- Potential for technological obsolescence
- Lack of small business participation noted
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-defense, nj, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $58.1 million to L3 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. AIR FORCE AND ARMY ANTI-JAM MODEM DEVELOPMENT AND PRE-PRODUCTION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is L3 TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $58.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-03-27. End: 2027-04-01.
What is the specific technological advantage gained by this anti-jam modem development?
The anti-jam modem development aims to enhance the resilience of Air Force and Army communication systems against electronic warfare tactics. This includes ensuring reliable data transmission in contested electromagnetic environments, which is critical for maintaining operational effectiveness and command and control during missions.
What are the primary risks associated with the fixed-price incentive contract type for this development?
The primary risk with a fixed-price incentive contract is that the contractor may not achieve the target cost, leading to higher prices for the government. If cost targets are missed, the government shares in the overruns, potentially increasing the final price beyond initial projections. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate this.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of military communication networks?
This contract contributes to effectiveness by providing advanced anti-jam capabilities, ensuring that critical communication links remain operational even when subjected to sophisticated electronic attacks. This enhances situational awareness, coordination, and the ability to execute missions successfully in challenging operational theaters.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: FA880819R0002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE INCENTIVE (L)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc
Address: 11 FEDERAL ST, CAMDEN, NJ, 08103
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $58,096,776
Exercised Options: $58,096,776
Current Obligation: $58,096,776
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA880820D0002
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-03-27
Current End Date: 2027-04-01
Potential End Date: 2027-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-30
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