DoD Awards $410M Contract to Rockwell Collins for Airborne Radio and TV Communication Equipment
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $410,190,307 ($410.2M)
Contractor: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2005-07-12
End Date: 2011-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,210 days
Daily Burn Rate: $185.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: 200510!303493!1700!N00019!NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001905C0050 !A!N! !N! ! !20050712!20070131!060605883!962960589!962960589!N!ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC !400 COLLINS RD NE !CEDAR RAPIDS !IA!52498!12000!113!19!CEDAR RAPIDS !LINN !IOWA !+000002915880!N!N!000282900632!5821!RADIO AND TV COMM EQUIPMENT, AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!A!A!3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !D!U!J!1!001!N!1A!Z!N!Z! ! !Y!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! !1719!N00019!0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $410.2 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. for work described as: 200510!303493!1700!N00019!NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001905C0050 !A!N! !N! ! !20050712!20070131!060605883!962960589!962960589!N!ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC !400 COLLINS RD NE !CEDAR RAPIDS !IA!52498!12000!113!19!CEDAR RAPIDS !LINN… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $410,190,307, is for airborne radio and TV communication equipment. 2. Awarded to Rockwell Collins, Inc., this contract falls within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector. 3. The contract was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery and value for taxpayer money. 4. The duration of the contract is 2210 days, spanning from July 2005 to July 2011.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $410 million for specialized airborne communication equipment is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts to definitively assess pricing fairness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a competitive procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a contract of this magnitude raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration could indicate a critical, long-term need for this specific equipment. The sole-source nature warrants scrutiny to ensure the government received fair value.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Significant contract value
Positive Signals
- Specific equipment for defense needs
- Established contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, specifically for airborne radio and TV communication equipment. The benchmark for spending in this niche sector can vary widely based on technological complexity and specific military requirements.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract suggests that oversight would be critical to ensure that Rockwell Collins, Inc. provided the equipment at a fair and reasonable price, despite the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
- Lack of transparency in pricing
- Limited opportunity for innovation from other vendors
- Dependency on a single supplier for critical equipment
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, ia, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $410.2 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.. 200510!303493!1700!N00019!NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND !N0001905C0050 !A!N! !N! ! !20050712!20070131!060605883!962960589!962960589!N!ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC !400 COLLINS RD NE !CEDAR RAPIDS !IA!52498!12000!113!19!CEDAR RAPIDS !LINN !IOWA !+000002915880!N!N!000282900632!5821!RADIO AND TV COMM EQUIPMENT, AIRBORNE !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !000 !* !334290!A!A!3! ! ! ! ! !202
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $410.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-07-12. End: 2011-07-31.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors such as unique capabilities, urgent need, or lack of viable alternatives. Without further documentation, it's impossible to determine the specific rationale behind this decision. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing whether the government truly received the best possible value under the circumstances.
How does the unit cost of this equipment compare to similar systems procured competitively?
Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the exact specifications and features of the equipment. However, sole-source contracts inherently lack the price pressure of competition. Therefore, it is likely that the unit cost is higher than if the contract had been competed, assuming comparable quality and performance.
What is the long-term strategic value of this specific airborne communication equipment to the Naval Air Systems Command?
The long-term strategic value likely lies in its role in maintaining operational readiness and communication capabilities for naval aviation platforms. The extended contract duration suggests it fulfills a critical and ongoing requirement, potentially supporting legacy aircraft or specialized missions where alternative solutions are limited.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other 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
Address: 400 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52498
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-07-12
Current End Date: 2011-07-31
Potential End Date: 2011-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-03-03
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