State Department Awards $57.8M Contract to General Dynamics for Overseas Visa Operations Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $57,782,663 ($57.8M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2024-09-01
End Date: 2025-08-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $158.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR VISA OPERATIONS FOR GSS 1.0 MEXICO REGION
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $57.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR VISA OPERATIONS FOR GSS 1.0 MEXICO REGION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. for $57.8 million. 2. Services include computer facilities management for consular visa operations in Mexico. 3. The contract is a definitive, firm-fixed-price award. 4. This award represents a significant investment in maintaining critical diplomatic infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $57.8 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for comprehensive IT support services for a major regional operation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts for government agencies would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. Without competition, it is difficult to assess if the pricing reflects the best possible value or if alternative solutions were considered. The lack of competition may limit price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The absence of competition raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured, potentially impacting the overall value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of visa processing services for U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. Supports diplomatic relations and national security by managing secure consular systems. Impacts the efficiency and accessibility of consular services abroad.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Essential service provision
- Experienced contractor
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly computer facilities management, is crucial for government operations. Spending in this area is often substantial due to the complexity and security requirements of managing sensitive data and systems.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to a large business (General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.) and does not indicate any specific set-asides or subcontracting goals for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight mechanisms are essential to ensure performance, manage costs, and verify that the services meet the required standards, especially given the sole-source nature of the award.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Facilities Management Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
Tags
computer-facilities-management-services, department-of-state, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $57.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR VISA OPERATIONS FOR GSS 1.0 MEXICO REGION
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 State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $57.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2025-08-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and were any market research efforts conducted to explore competitive options?
The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. The Department of State would need to provide documentation detailing the market research undertaken and the specific reasons why General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. was the only responsible source capable of meeting the requirement within the necessary timeframe.
How does the per-unit cost or overall pricing compare to similar IT support contracts for overseas government operations?
Without access to detailed pricing breakdowns and comparable contract data, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, the $57.8 million contract for a one-year duration for comprehensive IT support in a major region suggests a significant investment. A thorough review of historical data and industry standards for similar services would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness.
What performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) are in place to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the consular visa operations support?
Effective oversight requires clearly defined performance metrics and SLAs. These should cover aspects like system uptime, response times for technical support, data security compliance, and overall operational efficiency of the visa processing systems. Regular performance reviews against these metrics are crucial for accountability and ensuring the contractor meets expectations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp
Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $98,690,823
Exercised Options: $98,690,823
Current Obligation: $57,782,663
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-01
Current End Date: 2025-08-31
Potential End Date: 2025-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-20
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