DoD awards $124.8M for MANPACK GEN 2 radios, with Rockwell Collins Inc. securing the deal
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $124,850,752 ($124.9M)
Contractor: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-09-06
End Date: 2025-08-30
Contract Duration: 1,089 days
Daily Burn Rate: $114.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: MANPACK GEN 2 FY22 COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: CEDAR RAPIDS, LINN County, IOWA, 52498
State: Iowa Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $124.9 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC. for work described as: MANPACK GEN 2 FY22 COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, indicating potential for future task orders. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 4. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) suggests a sustained need for these communication systems. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220 points to the wireless communications equipment manufacturing sector. 6. The contract is for radios, a critical component for military operations and communication.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $124.8 million for MANPACK GEN 2 radios over approximately three years appears reasonable given the nature of military communication equipment. Benchmarking against similar advanced tactical radio systems suggests that this price point is competitive, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which limits cost overruns for the government. The specific unit cost is not provided, but the overall award value aligns with the complexity and technological sophistication expected for such systems.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bids (no: 2) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While two bidders participated, the full and open nature of the underlying IDIQ vehicle likely fostered a competitive environment during its initial award, which can influence pricing for subsequent orders.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting competitive pricing and encouraging a wider range of innovative solutions, potentially leading to better value for the government.
Public Impact
The Department of the Army is the primary beneficiary, receiving advanced communication equipment. The contract delivers MANPACK GEN 2 radios, essential for tactical battlefield communications. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting deployed Army personnel wherever they are stationed. Workforce implications may include manufacturing and technical support roles within Rockwell Collins and its supply chain.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if MANPACK GEN 2 becomes the sole standard without ongoing competitive evaluation.
- Reliance on a single awardee for a critical system could pose supply chain risks if not managed proactively.
- The limited number of bidders (2) for this specific delivery order warrants monitoring to ensure sustained competition.
- The 'IA' status code might indicate specific security or operational requirements that could limit future competition or increase costs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract supports a critical military function, ensuring operational readiness.
- The awardee, Rockwell Collins, is a well-established defense contractor with a track record in communication systems.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically the manufacturing of wireless communication equipment. The market for tactical military radios is characterized by high technological barriers to entry and significant R&D investment. Major defense contractors dominate this space, often competing for large IDIQ vehicles from which specific delivery orders like this are issued. Spending in this sub-sector is driven by the need for secure, reliable, and advanced communication capabilities in modern warfare.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (sb: false). While the prime contractor is Rockwell Collins, Inc., a large business, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting goals for small businesses within this specific delivery order. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Rockwell Collins actively seeks small business partners for manufacturing components or providing specialized services related to this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract actions. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract execution.
Related Government Programs
- Tactical Radio Systems
- Military Communications Equipment
- Department of the Army Procurement
- IDIQ Contract Vehicles
- Wireless Communications Manufacturing
Risk Flags
- Limited Competition (2 bidders for this specific order)
- Supply Chain Risk
- Technological Obsolescence
- Performance in Extreme Environments
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, rockwell-collins, manpack-radios, tactical-communications, wireless-communications-equipment-manufacturing, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, iowa, naics-334220
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $124.9 million to ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.. MANPACK GEN 2 FY22 COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $124.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-06. End: 2025-08-30.
What is Rockwell Collins' track record with similar military communication contracts?
Rockwell Collins, now part of Collins Aerospace (a Raytheon Technologies company), has a long and extensive history of providing communication, navigation, and electronic warfare systems to the U.S. military and allied nations. They have been a significant player in developing and supplying tactical radios, including manpack and vehicular systems, for various branches of the U.S. armed forces. Their track record includes numerous contracts for advanced communication suites, often involving complex integration and high-reliability requirements. Past performance evaluations on similar contracts would likely indicate a strong capability in delivering sophisticated radio systems that meet stringent military specifications, though specific details on past performance for MANPACK GEN 2 would require deeper data analysis.
How does the $124.8 million value compare to other MANPACK radio procurements?
The $124.8 million value for this specific delivery order, covering approximately three years of supply for MANPACK GEN 2 radios, appears to be within a reasonable range for advanced military communication systems. Procurements for similar tactical manpack radios from other major defense contractors have often ranged from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over multi-year periods, depending on the quantity, technological sophistication, and specific features required. Factors like the inclusion of advanced encryption, networking capabilities, and ruggedization contribute to the overall cost. Without specific unit quantities or detailed feature comparisons, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the overall award value is consistent with the high-end nature of military-grade communication equipment.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
Primary risks associated with this contract include potential supply chain disruptions for critical components, technological obsolescence if the MANPACK GEN 2 system is not adequately future-proofed, and performance issues in challenging operational environments. Given that it's a firm-fixed-price contract, there's also a risk that Rockwell Collins might cut corners on quality or support to maintain profitability, although their reputation and contract oversight mechanisms aim to mitigate this. Furthermore, reliance on a single awardee for a critical system like tactical radios introduces a dependency risk. The limited number of bidders (2) for this delivery order also suggests a potential concentration risk in the market for this specific type of equipment.
How effective is the MANPACK GEN 2 system likely to be?
The MANPACK GEN 2 system is expected to be highly effective, given its designation as a next-generation capability and its procurement by the Department of the Army. These systems typically incorporate advanced features such as enhanced encryption, improved range and clarity, network integration for data transmission, and reduced size/weight compared to previous generations. Their effectiveness is crucial for maintaining situational awareness, command and control, and interoperability among different units on the battlefield. The firm-fixed-price contract and full and open competition suggest the Army sought a balance of capability and cost-effectiveness, implying a focus on delivering a robust and reliable communication solution.
What are historical spending patterns for tactical radios within the Department of Defense?
Historical spending patterns for tactical radios within the Department of Defense (DoD) show a consistent and significant investment driven by the need for secure, reliable, and advanced battlefield communications. Over the past decade, the DoD has allocated billions of dollars towards modernizing its tactical communication networks, including manpack, vehicular, and airborne radio systems. Spending has often been characterized by large, multi-year procurements, often through IDIQ contracts, to ensure a steady supply of evolving technologies. Major programs have focused on enhancing interoperability, increasing bandwidth for data, and improving cybersecurity. Spending fluctuates based on modernization cycles, emerging threats, and budget allocations, but tactical radios remain a core and continuous area of investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: RTX Corp
Address: 400 COLLINS RD NE, CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52498
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: $124,850,752
Exercised Options: $124,850,752
Current Obligation: $124,850,752
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 20
Total Subaward Amount: $10,261,925
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T16D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-06
Current End Date: 2025-08-30
Potential End Date: 2025-08-30 12:08:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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