General Dynamics awarded $20.8M for scientific and technical support to Great Lakes Program Office

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,858,864 ($20.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-03-20

End Date: 2026-03-19

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE Key points: 1. Contract provides essential scientific and technical expertise for environmental protection efforts. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Performance period extends over four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. Geographic focus is Illinois, aligning with Great Lakes environmental concerns.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.8 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized scientific and technical support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting and technical services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, warrants close monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate due to inefficiencies or scope creep. The number of bids received (3) suggests a moderate level of competition, which typically leads to fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. Three bids were received, suggesting a healthy, though not extensive, level of competition for this specialized service. The competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair market price for the services rendered. The limited number of bidders might suggest a niche market or high barriers to entry for potential competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple companies to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value. The presence of three bidders indicates that the government had options to choose from, rather than being limited to a single provider.

Public Impact

The Great Lakes National Program Office benefits from continuous scientific and technical expertise to manage and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. Services delivered include critical research, monitoring, and technical assistance for environmental protection initiatives. The geographic impact is focused on the Great Lakes region, particularly Illinois, addressing vital environmental concerns. The contract supports a specialized workforce of scientists, engineers, and technical professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Limited number of bidders (3) may indicate potential for less aggressive pricing compared to higher competition.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a larger IDIQ could concentrate risk if the prime contractor faces issues.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad range of potential offerors.
Long performance period (4 years) provides stability for critical environmental programs.
Contractor has a significant presence in government contracting, suggesting experience and capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting environmental programs. The market for scientific and technical support services for environmental agencies is substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and ongoing conservation efforts. General Dynamics Information Technology is a major player in this space, competing with other large government contractors. Spending in this category is often tied to specific environmental initiatives and legislative mandates.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data. The prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, is a large business. Therefore, this award does not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, though subcontracting opportunities may arise depending on the prime contractor's strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the contracting officers within the Great Lakes National Program Office. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates robust oversight to monitor labor hours, costs, and adherence to the scope of work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and potential issues could be addressed by the agency's Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Programs
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Scientific Research and Development Services
Engineering Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Moderate competition level (3 bidders) may limit price negotiation leverage.
Contract performance is critical for the success of Great Lakes environmental initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE GREAT LAKES NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-20. End: 2026-03-19.

What is the historical spending pattern for scientific and technical support services related to the Great Lakes National Program Office?

Analyzing historical spending for the Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) reveals a consistent need for scientific and technical support. While specific figures for prior contracts are not detailed here, the recurring nature of such awards suggests a sustained investment in environmental monitoring, research, and program management. The total value of this current $20.8 million contract over four years indicates a significant, ongoing commitment. Past spending likely involved similar service providers and contract types, though the specific value and duration would vary based on evolving program needs and budget allocations. Understanding these historical trends is crucial for assessing the long-term financial commitment and the stability of funding for GLNPO's critical environmental mission.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar scientific and technical support contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $20.8 million contract without detailed cost breakdowns or specific service metrics is challenging. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure implies that costs are based on direct labor hours and materials used. Benchmarking would involve comparing the loaded hourly rates for various labor categories (e.g., scientists, engineers) and material markups against industry standards and rates paid by other agencies for comparable services. Given that General Dynamics Information Technology is a large, established contractor, their rates are likely competitive within the large business segment. The fact that three bids were received suggests the pricing was perceived as fair by the bidders in the context of the full and open competition.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with federal contracts, particularly in environmental services?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), now part of General Dynamics, has a substantial track record with federal agencies, holding numerous large-scale contracts across various sectors, including IT, defense, and professional services. Their experience often encompasses complex scientific, engineering, and technical support functions. While specific contract details for environmental services supporting the Great Lakes National Program Office are not provided, GDIT's broader portfolio includes work with agencies like the EPA, Department of Defense, and others on environmental compliance, remediation, and research. Their extensive experience suggests a high level of capability and familiarity with government contracting processes, risk management, and performance requirements, making them a capable provider for this type of specialized support.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this project?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a ceiling on the total cost, as payment is based on the actual hours worked and materials consumed. This can lead to increased costs if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently managed, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight and diligent contract administration to ensure that the contractor is performing efficiently and that costs are reasonable and allocable. Without strict monitoring, T&M contracts can become more expensive than initially anticipated, potentially impacting the overall value for taxpayers.

How does the level of competition (3 bidders) impact the overall value and risk for this contract?

A competition level of three bidders for this $20.8 million contract suggests a moderate level of market interest. While more bidders generally lead to greater price competition and potentially lower costs for the government, three bidders still provide a reasonable basis for price discovery and selection of the best value. It indicates that the market is not overly concentrated, nor is it so niche that only one or two firms could realistically compete. The risk associated with limited competition is that the government might not achieve the absolute lowest price possible. However, the full and open nature of the competition mitigates this somewhat, ensuring that qualified firms had the opportunity to bid. The agency's evaluation process would be critical in ensuring the selected contractor offered the best overall value, considering both price and technical merit.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA22Q0025

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 100, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,037,428

Exercised Options: $25,037,428

Current Obligation: $20,858,864

Actual Outlays: $-1

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $4,263,007

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU116

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline