EPA contract for emissions enforcement IT support awarded to General Dynamics IT for over $4.6 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,667,641 ($4.7M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2025-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT FOR EMISSIONS ENFORCEMENT OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND RELATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS ENGINES AND VEHICLES - COMPLIANCE INFORMATION SYSTEM (EV-CIS) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ANN ARBOR, WASHTENAW County, MICHIGAN, 48103

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SUPPORT FOR EMISSIONS ENFORCEMENT OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND RELATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS ENGINES AND VEHICLES - COMPLIANCE INFORMATION SYSTEM (EV-CIS) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on supporting the Clean Air Act's emissions enforcement through IT systems. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. This is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The contract duration is approximately two years. 6. The award was made through full and open competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.67 million over two years for IT support services appears reasonable for specialized environmental compliance systems. However, the Time and Materials pricing model warrants close monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial projections. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for regulatory compliance systems would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized IT support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of potential suppliers to offer their services, potentially leading to lower prices and better quality solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its mission to enforce the Clean Air Act. Services delivered will support the Engines and Vehicles - Compliance Information System (EV-CIS). This contract indirectly benefits the public by ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The geographic impact is national, as the EV-CIS supports nationwide emissions enforcement.

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.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger, potentially multi-year, contract vehicle whose overall value and performance are not detailed here.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., is a large, established IT services provider.
The contract supports critical environmental enforcement activities for the EPA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a crucial component of the broader IT services industry. The market for IT support in government compliance and regulatory enforcement is significant, driven by the need for robust, secure, and up-to-date systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services contracts awarded to agencies with similar regulatory oversight functions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance data may not always be readily available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Clean Air Act Enforcement
Environmental Compliance IT Systems
EPA IT Support Services
Vehicle Emissions Compliance

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Potential for cost overruns
Reliance on incumbent contractor
Lack of detailed performance metrics in award data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SUPPORT FOR EMISSIONS ENFORCEMENT OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT AND RELATED LAWS AND REGULATIONS ENGINES AND VEHICLES - COMPLIANCE INFORMATION SYSTEM (EV-CIS) SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

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

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for EV-CIS support services with General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. or its predecessors?

To assess historical spending, one would need to examine past contract awards and delivery orders issued by the EPA for EV-CIS support. This would involve searching contract databases for awards to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (or its acquired entities) for similar services over previous fiscal years. Analyzing these historical data points would reveal trends in contract value, duration, and pricing. For instance, comparing the current $4.67 million award over two years to previous periods could indicate an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in EV-CIS support. Understanding this pattern is crucial for evaluating whether the current contract represents a significant shift in spending or a continuation of established investment levels for this critical IT system.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) for this contract compare to industry standards for similar IT support services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for IT support where the scope of work can be variable or difficult to define precisely upfront. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Industry standards for T&M IT support vary significantly based on the complexity of the system, the required skill sets, and the geographic location. For specialized environmental compliance systems like EV-CIS, T&M rates are typically benchmarked against government-wide IT schedules (e.g., GSA schedules) or specific agency IT service contracts. A thorough analysis would involve comparing the labor rates and indirect cost percentages charged by General Dynamics IT to established benchmarks for similar roles (e.g., system administrators, software developers, IT project managers) within the federal IT services market. Without access to the specific rates within this contract, a direct comparison is difficult, but the potential for cost escalation remains a key consideration.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract, and how is contractor performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the performance measurement framework for this contract. Typically, for IT support services, KPIs might include system uptime, response times for issue resolution, successful implementation of updates or patches, user satisfaction, and adherence to security protocols. The EPA's contracting officer and technical representatives would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and assessing General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s performance against them. Contractual language would outline the reporting requirements and the consequences of failing to meet performance standards. A robust performance management system is essential to ensure the government receives the expected value and that the EV-CIS system operates effectively for emissions enforcement.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. in delivering IT support for environmental compliance systems?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record in providing IT services to various government agencies, including the EPA. Their experience often encompasses large-scale IT infrastructure management, software development, and system integration. For environmental compliance systems specifically, GDIT has supported numerous projects related to data management, regulatory reporting, and enforcement tools across different environmental domains. Their past performance on similar contracts, including any awards or penalties related to system reliability, security, or timely delivery, would be a critical factor in assessing their suitability for this EV-CIS support role. A review of past performance evaluations and contract close-outs would provide deeper insights into their capabilities and reliability in this specialized area.

Are there any identified risks associated with the continued reliance on General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. for EV-CIS support?

Potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor, even one with a strong track record like GDIT, include vendor lock-in, potential complacency, and the risk of knowledge loss if the contractor's personnel turnover is high. Specifically for the EV-CIS system, risks could involve the contractor's ability to keep pace with evolving technology, cybersecurity threats, and changing regulatory requirements. Dependence on a specific vendor's proprietary knowledge or solutions can also pose challenges during future re-competition or transition phases. Furthermore, the Time and Materials contract type introduces financial risks if costs are not adequately controlled. Mitigating these risks typically involves strong contract oversight, clearly defined performance expectations, and contingency planning for potential service disruptions or transitions.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ1683667

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,838,184

Exercised Options: $7,156,572

Current Obligation: $4,667,641

Actual Outlays: $2,630,840

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $1,191,700

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0003

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline