DoD's $15.2M IT contract for admin and environment support awarded to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,246,291 ($15.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, ST. CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. for work described as: ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for computer systems design services, indicating a need for IT infrastructure support. 2. The contract was competed under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type was used, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration of 364 days is standard for this type of service. 5. The award was made by the Department of the Air Force, a major component of the DoD. 6. The contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., is a significant player in the federal IT market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.2 million for one year of IT support appears within a reasonable range for large-scale federal IT services. However, without specific details on the scope of 'administration and environment support,' a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for computer systems design services would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing reflects competitive market rates for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The presence of two bids, as indicated by 'no': 2, shows some level of competition, though a higher number of bidders would generally be preferred for maximum competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a market where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing to win awards. This process helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force, receiving essential IT support services. The services delivered likely include the design, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems crucial for administrative and environmental operations. The geographic impact is centered in Illinois (IL), where the contract was performed. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals within General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition with only two bidders could potentially lead to higher prices than a more robustly competed contract.
The broad nature of 'administration and environment support' makes it difficult to assess if the specific IT services procured were the most cost-effective solutions.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing the pool of potential bidders.
Firm-fixed-price contract type transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor.
General Dynamics IT is an established contractor with significant experience in federal IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services. The federal IT market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in systems to support operations, cybersecurity, and data management. Contracts for system design and support are common across all branches of the military and civilian agencies, often involving significant dollar values due to the complexity and criticality of IT infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., is a large business, and its subcontracting practices would be governed by general federal acquisition regulations rather than specific small business set-aside mandates for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract details, though detailed performance metrics are often not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Department of Defense IT Procurement
Air Force IT Contracts
General Dynamics IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'administration and environment support' is not clearly defined.
Risk of contractor underperformance if cost pressures impact service quality on FFP contract.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may reduce price competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.. ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 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 $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2010-09-30.

What specific IT systems and services were included under 'administration and environment support' for this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the contract's purpose as 'ADMINISTRATION AND ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT' and categorizes it under 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS 541512). While the specific systems are not detailed, this category typically encompasses services such as designing and developing IT infrastructure, integrating hardware and software, and providing technical consulting for computer systems. For the Department of the Air Force, this could involve IT systems supporting base operations, environmental compliance monitoring, resource management, or administrative functions. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work was established to manage costs effectively.

How does the $15.2 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force?

Benchmarking the $15.2 million contract value requires comparing it to similar 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS 541512) contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force over a comparable period (e.g., 2009-2010). Given the contractor is General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., a large federal IT provider, and the contract type is firm-fixed-price, this value is plausible for a one-year duration supporting significant IT functions. However, without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with specific service scopes and durations, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value. A higher number of bidders in a full and open competition generally supports better value.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. in performing similar federal IT contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. (GDIT) is a major federal contractor with extensive experience in providing IT services across various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their track record typically includes large-scale system integration, cloud services, cybersecurity, and IT support. For contracts similar to this one (computer systems design, administration, and environment support), GDIT has a history of performance. However, assessing their specific performance on this particular $15.2 million contract would require reviewing performance reports, past performance questionnaires, and any contract disputes or awards associated with it, which are not detailed in the provided summary data.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for complex IT services?

While firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are designed to control costs by shifting risk to the contractor, they can introduce other risks, especially for complex IT services. If the scope of work is not precisely defined, the contractor may face unforeseen challenges or increased costs, potentially leading to disputes or a reduction in the quality of services to maintain profitability. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimates costs, they might cut corners. For the government, the risk lies in ensuring the contract adequately covers all necessary requirements and that the contractor possesses the technical capability to deliver without compromising quality or innovation due to cost pressures.

How has federal spending on IT services, particularly for defense agencies, evolved since this contract was awarded in 2009?

Federal spending on IT services has generally increased significantly since 2009, driven by modernization efforts, cybersecurity imperatives, cloud adoption, and the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure across all agencies, including the Department of Defense. Defense agencies, in particular, have seen substantial investments in upgrading legacy systems, enhancing network capabilities, and developing advanced IT solutions for command and control, intelligence, and logistics. Trends have shifted towards cloud computing, agile development, and data analytics, influencing the types of IT services procured and the contracting vehicles used. This contract, awarded in 2009, predates many of these modern trends, representing an earlier phase of IT procurement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: FA445208R0001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 3160 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,246,291

Exercised Options: $15,246,291

Current Obligation: $15,246,291

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA445209D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline