NASA awards $35.4M to General Dynamics for IT support, raising value-for-money questions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,381,335 ($35.4M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2021-10-01
End Date: 2023-09-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $48.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES - TASK ORDER - CY7
Place of Performance
Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $35.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES - TASK ORDER - CY7 Key points: 1. Contract value appears high relative to duration, suggesting potential for cost efficiencies. 2. Limited public data on performance metrics makes a comprehensive value assessment challenging. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. This contract supports essential IT infrastructure for NASA's shared services. 5. General Dynamics is a large, established contractor with a significant federal presence. 6. The contract's duration of two years is relatively standard for IT support services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $35.4 million over two years averages to approximately $17.7 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies is difficult without more granular data on the specific services provided. However, the annual cost per year seems within a plausible range for comprehensive IT support for a major agency like NASA. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work and service levels to industry standards and other government contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This competitive process is generally expected to drive better pricing and service offerings. The number of bidders and the specific evaluation criteria used would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition in securing optimal value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, maximizing the return on public funds.
Public Impact
Benefits NASA's internal operations by ensuring reliable IT infrastructure and support services. Supports the functioning of NASA's Shared Services Center, which provides administrative and IT support across the agency. Geographic impact is primarily focused on NASA facilities, with potential for remote support. Workforce implications include the potential for General Dynamics to utilize its existing IT personnel, possibly supplemented by local hires.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in the public domain hinders a thorough assessment of value for money.
- The significant contract value warrants close monitoring of service delivery and cost-effectiveness over its duration.
- Potential for scope creep or unmanaged changes could increase costs beyond initial projections.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.
- General Dynamics is an experienced federal contractor with a proven track record in IT services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT support and administrative services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract represents a portion of NASA's overall IT spending, contributing to the operational efficiency of its shared services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large prime contractor, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless General Dynamics actively pursues small business subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by NASA contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is limited by the availability of public data; detailed performance reports and cost breakdowns are not readily accessible to the public.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Support Services
- Federal Civilian Agency IT Contracts
- General IT Services Contracts
- Shared Services Center Operations
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Cybersecurity risk inherent in IT support
- Reliance on a single large contractor
Tags
it-services, nasa, general-dynamics-information-technology, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, office-administrative-services, virginia, it-support, shared-services, task-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $35.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES - TASK ORDER - CY7
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $35.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2023-09-30.
What specific IT services are included under this contract, and how do they align with NASA's core mission requirements?
The contract, identified as NASA Shared Services Center Support Services - Task Order - CY7, is categorized under NAICS code 561110 (Office Administrative Services). While the specific details of the IT services are not fully elaborated in the provided data, this code suggests a broad range of administrative and support functions that are IT-enabled. These likely include help desk support, network management, system maintenance, cybersecurity operations, and potentially application support for the systems managed by the NASA Shared Services Center. These services are crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of NASA's internal administrative and IT infrastructure, indirectly supporting the agency's scientific and exploratory missions by maintaining the foundational systems that enable its work.
How does the $35.4 million contract value compare to historical IT support spending by NASA or similar agencies?
Without access to detailed historical spending data for NASA's IT support services or comparable agencies, a precise comparison is challenging. However, an annual spend of approximately $17.7 million ($35.4M / 2 years) for comprehensive IT support for a major federal agency like NASA is within a plausible range. Large agencies often spend tens to hundreds of millions annually on IT services, encompassing infrastructure, software, cybersecurity, and personnel. To provide a more accurate benchmark, one would need to analyze the specific scope of services, service level agreements (SLAs), and the number of users supported under this contract against similar contracts awarded to other federal agencies or even within NASA's own past procurements.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is General Dynamics' performance being measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement mechanisms for this contract. Typically, for IT support services, KPIs might include response times for help desk tickets, system uptime percentages, resolution rates for technical issues, cybersecurity incident response times, and adherence to project timelines for any system upgrades or implementations. As this is a firm-fixed-price contract, performance is crucial for the contractor to meet its obligations without cost overruns. NASA's contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's requirements and SLAs, though the specifics of this monitoring are not publicly detailed.
What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with NASA and other federal agencies for similar IT support contracts?
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is a major federal contractor with a substantial history of providing IT services to various government agencies, including NASA. They have a broad portfolio encompassing IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, cloud services, and mission support. GDIT has held numerous large contracts across defense, civilian, and intelligence sectors. While specific performance details for this particular task order are not public, GDIT's general track record suggests they possess the scale and experience to manage complex IT support requirements. However, as with any large contractor, past performance reviews and contract-specific outcomes would provide a more nuanced understanding of their reliability and effectiveness.
Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, such as cybersecurity vulnerabilities, vendor lock-in, or potential cost overruns?
Potential risks associated with this contract include cybersecurity vulnerabilities, as is inherent with any IT support contract involving sensitive government data. Vendor lock-in is a possibility if the services are highly specialized or integrated deeply into NASA's systems, making future transitions difficult. While the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate cost overruns, risks can still arise from scope creep if not managed properly, or unforeseen technical challenges. The reliance on a single large contractor, General Dynamics, also presents a risk if their performance falters or if they experience internal issues. NASA's oversight mechanisms are critical for identifying and mitigating these risks throughout the contract's lifecycle.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wico Limited
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: $35,642,510
Exercised Options: $35,642,510
Current Obligation: $35,381,335
Actual Outlays: $35,381,335
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 7
Total Subaward Amount: $2,718,097
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNX16MA01B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-10-01
Current End Date: 2023-09-30
Potential End Date: 2023-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-22
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