DoD's $15.7M contract for Fort Huachuca facility operations awarded to FC Business Systems, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,757,595 ($15.8M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-04-17

End Date: 2004-11-30

Contract Duration: 593 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200308!000175!2100!BL03 !ACA, FORT HUACHUCA !GS07T00BGD0024 !C!N! !Y!DABL0303F0113 !20030417!20031130!116202318!116202318!116202318!N!FC BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC !8001 BRADDOCK ROAD, SUITE !SPRINGFIELD !VA!22151!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHISE !ARIZONA !+000004999874!N!N!000000000000!D301!ADP FACILITY OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541513!E! !5!B!M! !D! !99990909!B!F!N!N!B!C! !Y! !001!N!1B!Z! ! ! ! ! !C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000! !A!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FORT HUACHUCA, COCHISE County, ARIZONA, 85613

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200308!000175!2100!BL03 !ACA, FORT HUACHUCA !GS07T00BGD0024 !C!N! !Y!DABL0303F0113 !20030417!20031130!116202318!116202318!116202318!N!FC BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC !8001 BRADDOCK ROAD, SUITE !SPRINGFIELD !VA!22151!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHI… Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.7M for facility operations and maintenance services. 2. Awarded to FC Business Systems, Inc. for services at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, indicating flexibility in scope and cost. 4. Duration of 593 days, spanning from April 2003 to November 2004. 5. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. Small business status is not indicated for the primary contractor. 7. Services fall under ADP Facility Operation & Maintenance, a critical support function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.7 million for approximately 20 months of facility operations and maintenance at Fort Huachuca appears within a reasonable range for such services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, personnel hours, or the exact nature of the facilities managed, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for military base support services would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The government's ability to solicit offers from a wide range of contractors suggests a healthy market for these types of services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs through competitive bidding and encourage a wider pool of service providers, potentially leading to better value.

Public Impact

Military personnel and operations at Fort Huachuca benefit from reliable facility maintenance and operations. Ensures the functionality and upkeep of critical ADP (Automated Data Processing) facilities. Supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Army at this key installation. Geographic impact is concentrated at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and surrounding areas. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled maintenance and operations personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific details on performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality.
The duration of the contract (593 days) is substantial, requiring ongoing oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract supports critical infrastructure at a military installation.
Contractor is FC Business Systems, Inc., indicating a specific entity responsible for performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Defense sector, specifically supporting the operational infrastructure of a U.S. Army base. Facility operations and maintenance services are a critical component of maintaining military readiness and are often contracted out to specialized firms. The market for these services is substantial, encompassing a wide range of support functions from janitorial services to complex building systems management. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or specific Department of Defense (DoD) procurement data for base operations support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor does it specify subcontracting plans. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process or could be involved as subcontractors. However, without explicit information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and facility management divisions at Fort Huachuca. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the Time and Materials contract, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Base Operations Support Services
Information Technology Infrastructure Support
Facility Maintenance and Repair Contracts
Department of Defense Procurement
Army Installation Management

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes quality assessment difficult.
Unclear PSC code ('NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED') impacts transparency and categorization.
Limited public information on contractor's past performance for similar services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200308!000175!2100!BL03 !ACA, FORT HUACHUCA !GS07T00BGD0024 !C!N! !Y!DABL0303F0113 !20030417!20031130!116202318!116202318!116202318!N!FC BUSINESS SYSTEMS, INC !8001 BRADDOCK ROAD, SUITE !SPRINGFIELD !VA!22151!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHISE !ARIZONA !+000004999874!N!N!000000000000!D301!ADP FACILITY OPERATION & MAINTENANCE SERVICES !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541513!E! !5!B!M! !D! !99990909!B

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 Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-04-17. End: 2004-11-30.

What is the specific scope of 'ADP Facility Operation & Maintenance Services' covered under this contract?

The term 'ADP Facility Operation & Maintenance Services' typically encompasses a range of activities necessary to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of facilities housing Automated Data Processing (ADP) equipment. This can include environmental controls (HVAC, humidity), power management (UPS, generators), physical security, janitorial services, minor repairs, pest control, and general upkeep of the building and grounds directly associated with the ADP spaces. The exact scope would be detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) of the contract, which is not provided in the abbreviated data. Without the PWS, it's difficult to ascertain the precise level of service and the specific systems maintained.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type influence cost control and risk for this $15.7M award?

A Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is characterized by payments based on direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and the actual cost of materials plus a percentage for overhead and profit. This contract type offers flexibility, allowing for adjustments in scope and effort as needs evolve, which can be beneficial for services where the exact requirements are not fully known upfront. However, T&M contracts carry inherent risks for the government, primarily concerning cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the total cost is not predetermined, making it susceptible to cost overruns if labor hours are not diligently managed and ceilings are not effectively enforced. Robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and strict adherence to the contract's ceiling price are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayers.

What is the track record of FC Business Systems, Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of FC Business Systems, Inc. for performing similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would typically need to consult contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any documented issues or successes. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively state their experience level or past performance quality in providing ADP facility operations and maintenance services to the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.

Can the $15.7M contract value be benchmarked against industry standards for facility operations at military installations?

Benchmarking the $15.7 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for facility operations and maintenance at military installations of comparable size and complexity. Factors such as geographic location, climate, type of facilities (e.g., administrative, barracks, specialized technical facilities), and the specific services included (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing, groundskeeping, security) significantly influence costs. While $15.7 million over approximately 20 months (593 days) suggests a substantial operational budget, a definitive assessment of whether it represents good value requires access to a broader dataset of similar DoD contracts, industry cost guides, or specific cost-per-square-foot benchmarks for military base operations.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED' PSC code for this contract?

The PSC (Product Service Code) 'NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED' is unusual and suggests that the specific nature of the service provided might be sensitive or that there was an administrative issue in classifying it. If the service is genuinely classified, it implies operations related to national security that require stringent controls and specialized oversight. However, if it's an administrative error, it hinders transparency and makes it difficult to categorize spending accurately, potentially obscuring the true nature of the services procured. This lack of clear classification can complicate performance monitoring, risk assessment, and future procurement planning, as the government may lack a precise understanding of the services being rendered and their associated costs and risks.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0024

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline