Army awards $20.9M for 48 FLIR Star Safire Systems to Teledyne FLIR, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,887,008 ($20.9M)
Contractor: Teledyne Flir, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-09-12
End Date: 2012-01-31
Contract Duration: 141 days
Daily Burn Rate: $148.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROCUREMENT OF 48 FLIR STAR SAFIRE SYSTEMS
Place of Performance
Location: WILSONVILLE, CLACKAMAS County, OREGON, 97070
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.9 million to TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC for work described as: PROCUREMENT OF 48 FLIR STAR SAFIRE SYSTEMS Key points: 1. The contract is for advanced thermal imaging systems, crucial for surveillance and reconnaissance. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The primary risk lies in the reliance on a single vendor for specialized equipment. 4. Spending falls within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $20.9 million for 48 systems averages to approximately $435,146 per system. This price point needs to be benchmarked against similar advanced thermal imaging systems to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: $435,146
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best possible price for the required equipment.
Public Impact
Enhances military surveillance capabilities with advanced thermal imaging. Supports Department of the Army operations with critical equipment. Procurement ensures readiness for reconnaissance and situational awareness missions. Potential for technology upgrades and integration with existing platforms.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential vendor lock-in if only one supplier can provide necessary maintenance or upgrades.
- Dependence on a single system could create vulnerabilities if the technology becomes obsolete or unsupported.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
- Clear delivery timeline and fixed-price contract structure.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls under 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing.' Spending in this sector can vary widely based on technological advancements and defense requirements. Benchmarking against similar specialized surveillance equipment is key.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides 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 contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would involve monitoring delivery schedules, system performance, and adherence to the fixed-price terms.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Reliance on a single vendor for specialized equipment.
- Potential for high long-term sustainment and upgrade costs.
- Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving field.
- Need for ongoing performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, or, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.9 million to TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC. PROCUREMENT OF 48 FLIR STAR SAFIRE SYSTEMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TELEDYNE FLIR, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-12. End: 2012-01-31.
What is the specific operational advantage gained by acquiring these FLIR Star Safire systems, and how does it compare to alternative technologies?
The FLIR Star Safire systems provide advanced electro-optical and infrared imaging capabilities, crucial for real-time surveillance, target acquisition, and situational awareness in diverse operational environments. Their advantage lies in superior resolution, range, and multi-spectral sensing compared to standard cameras. This allows military personnel to detect and identify threats, day or night, and in adverse weather conditions, significantly enhancing mission effectiveness and personnel safety.
What are the long-term sustainment costs and potential obsolescence risks associated with these specialized thermal imaging systems?
Long-term sustainment costs for specialized systems like the FLIR Star Safire can be significant, including maintenance, repair, software updates, and potential upgrades. Obsolescence is a key risk, as defense technology evolves rapidly. The government must plan for potential end-of-life support and budget for future replacements or technology refreshes to maintain operational capability and avoid reliance on outdated systems.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure the best value was achieved for the taxpayer, considering the specialized nature of the equipment?
The full and open competition process is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple bids. However, for highly specialized equipment like advanced thermal imagers, the number of capable vendors might be limited. The effectiveness of the competition hinges on whether the bidding process truly fostered price reduction and innovation among qualified suppliers, or if the award was primarily driven by meeting technical specifications rather than achieving the lowest possible price.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other 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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 27700 SW PARKWAY AVE, WILSONVILLE, OR, 97070
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,887,008
Exercised Options: $20,887,008
Current Obligation: $20,887,008
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS03F5051C
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-12
Current End Date: 2012-01-31
Potential End Date: 2012-01-31 12:01:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-09
More Contracts from Teledyne Flir, LLC
- Flir Star Safire III — $96.6M (Department of Defense)
- Flir Star Safire III — $91.4M (Department of Defense)
- Non-Warranty Repairs — $69.7M (Department of Defense)
- An/Aaq-22e — $67.4M (Department of Defense)
- Flir Starsafire III and Flir THV-3000 Imaging Systems — $49.5M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)