DoD Awards Raytheon $276M for Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, Raising Oversight Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $275,963,190 ($276.0M)

Contractor: Raytheon Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-09-21

End Date: 2024-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,962 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: JOINT PRECISION APPROACH AND LANDING SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: FULLERTON, ORANGE County, CALIFORNIA, 92833

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $276.0 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY for work described as: JOINT PRECISION APPROACH AND LANDING SYSTEM Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $276 million awarded to a single vendor. 2. Sole-source award to Raytheon Company limits competitive pricing. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract type. 4. The sector is critical for military aviation safety and operational readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure, combined with a sole-source award, suggests potential for higher-than-necessary costs. Benchmarking against similar navigation systems is difficult without competitive data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, meaning the Department of the Navy directly awarded it to Raytheon Company. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in less favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a $276 million contract raises concerns about taxpayer value and the potential for inflated costs.

Public Impact

Ensures advanced landing capabilities for naval aircraft, enhancing safety and operational flexibility. Supports critical military operations by providing precise navigation in challenging environments. Investment in advanced technology for the Department of Defense.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

The Department of Defense's investment in navigation systems falls within the broader aerospace and defense sector. Spending benchmarks for similar complex systems are often proprietary, but large sole-source awards warrant scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded directly to Raytheon Company and does not indicate any subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of the award suggests a focus on established prime contractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this large contract necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Navy to ensure cost control and performance. Independent cost analysis and regular performance reviews are crucial.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-defense, ca, definitive-contract, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $276.0 million to RAYTHEON COMPANY. JOINT PRECISION APPROACH AND LANDING SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYTHEON COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $276.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-21. End: 2024-10-31.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of viable alternatives. Without a competitive process, it is difficult to ascertain if other vendors could have met the requirements or offered a more cost-effective solution. Further documentation would be needed to assess the validity of the sole-source justification.

How will the Cost Plus Incentive Fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?

Effective management of a Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) contract requires clear performance metrics, realistic target costs, and well-defined incentive/disincentive clauses. The government must closely monitor expenditures, track progress against milestones, and ensure that incentives align with desired outcomes without encouraging unnecessary spending.

What is the projected long-term cost-effectiveness of this system compared to potential alternatives?

Assessing long-term cost-effectiveness is challenging without competitive bids or detailed lifecycle cost analyses. The current sole-source award limits the ability to benchmark against other available technologies. A thorough review of operational data and future upgrade paths would be necessary to determine true cost-effectiveness over the system's lifespan.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingSearch, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N0001915R0114

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Rockwell Collins Australia PTY Limited

Address: 1801 HUGHES DR, FULLERTON, CA, 92833

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: $280,264,216

Exercised Options: $275,963,190

Current Obligation: $275,963,190

Actual Outlays: $18,233,545

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 34

Total Subaward Amount: $74,226,632

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2016-09-21

Current End Date: 2024-10-31

Potential End Date: 2024-10-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-08-30

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