DOT's $39.4M UAS Registration Contract Awarded to General Dynamics IT Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $39,427,801 ($39.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2015-11-03

End Date: 2021-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,250 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UAS REGISTRATION IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22040

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $39.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: UAS REGISTRATION IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value of $39.4M over approximately 6 years represents a moderate investment in IT infrastructure. 2. General Dynamics IT, a large established firm, secured this contract, indicating significant competition in the IT services sector. 3. The primary risk lies in potential vendor lock-in and the need for ongoing performance monitoring to ensure value. 4. Spending falls within the 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's fixed-price nature suggests a predictable cost structure. Benchmarking against similar cloud hosting and data processing contracts would provide a clearer picture of its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, allowing multiple vendors to bid. This competitive process likely drove price discovery and ensured a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Ensures the FAA has the necessary IT infrastructure to manage UAS registrations. Supports the growing integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the national airspace. Provides essential data processing and hosting services for critical government functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creeps.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity risks associated with data hosting.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract allows for stable service provision.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically data processing and hosting. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but $39.4M over six years is a substantial but not extraordinary amount for such services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award, suggesting limited direct small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and contract management, would be in place to ensure compliance and value.

Related Government Programs

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Aviation Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Vendor lock-in potential
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Performance degradation over time
Lack of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $39.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. UAS REGISTRATION IGF::OT::IGF

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 Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $39.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-11-03. End: 2021-12-31.

What is the specific performance metric used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics. Typically, contracts of this nature would include metrics related to uptime, data security, response times, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs). The FAA would monitor these metrics to ensure General Dynamics IT is meeting its contractual obligations effectively.

What are the potential risks if the UAS registration system experiences downtime?

Downtime could significantly disrupt the registration process for UAS operators, potentially leading to non-compliance and safety concerns. It could also impact the FAA's ability to track and manage the growing number of registered drones, affecting airspace safety and security.

How does this contract contribute to the FAA's overall mission effectiveness?

This contract provides the foundational IT infrastructure necessary for the FAA to effectively manage the registration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This is crucial for integrating drones safely into the national airspace, enabling regulatory compliance, and supporting the burgeoning drone economy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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: General Dynamics Corporation

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: $40,946,511

Exercised Options: $39,427,801

Current Obligation: $39,427,801

Actual Outlays: $8,675,271

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTFACT15D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline