General Dynamics IT awarded $42.4M for R&D in Social Sciences and Humanities by Dept. of Education

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,414,622 ($42.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2004-03-12

End Date: 2009-09-13

Contract Duration: 2,011 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ERIC

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $42.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC for work described as: ERIC Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 3. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these research services. 4. The award was made by the Department of Education, aligning with its mission to support educational research. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541720 points to specialized research and development services. 6. The contract was awarded in 2004, providing historical context for current spending patterns.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for flexibility but can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively. Comparing it to similar R&D contracts in social sciences would require detailed analysis of scope and outcomes. The initial award amount of $42.4 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in research.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 8 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this research and development requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it is intended to drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment in research.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely academic institutions, researchers, and policymakers who will utilize the findings from the social sciences and humanities research. The services delivered are research and development activities aimed at advancing knowledge in social sciences and humanities. The geographic impact is likely national, as research findings can inform policies and practices across the United States. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, analysts, and support staff involved in conducting the R&D.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and award fees are justified by performance.
The long duration of the contract necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness of the research.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The contract addresses a specific research and development need within the Department of Education's purview.

Sector Analysis

The Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector involves significant government investment to foster innovation and inform policy. This contract falls under the broader R&D services market, which is characterized by specialized expertise and project-based work. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific research areas and the scale of the projects undertaken.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included specific small business set-asides. The nature of large-scale R&D contracts often involves prime contractors with significant resources, though they may utilize small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans were in place to engage small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Education. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates performance monitoring to justify award fees. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting and potential public dissemination of research findings, subject to any confidentiality requirements.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Research Grants
Department of Health and Human Services Research Initiatives
Department of Defense Research and Development Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires robust performance monitoring.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $42.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. ERIC

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 Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $42.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-03-12. End: 2009-09-13.

What was the specific research focus and key deliverables under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact research focus or key deliverables for this contract. The NAICS code 541720 indicates 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities,' which is a broad category. To understand the specific outcomes, one would need to access the contract's statement of work (SOW) or final reports. These documents would detail the research questions addressed, methodologies employed, and the tangible outputs such as studies, reports, data sets, or policy recommendations generated by General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. during the contract period.

How did the final cost compare to the initial estimated cost, and were award fees consistently achieved?

The provided data only includes the award amount ($42.4 million) and the contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee). It does not contain information on the final incurred costs or the specific award fees paid. To assess cost performance, a review of contract modification history, expenditure reports, and final payment records would be necessary. Understanding whether the final cost exceeded or remained within projections, and the justification for any award fees granted, would require deeper access to contract financial data and performance evaluations.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. in performing similar R&D contracts for the federal government?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) is a large federal contractor with a broad portfolio. While this specific contract was awarded in 2004, GDIT has a long history of performing various IT and research services for numerous federal agencies. Assessing their track record for similar R&D contracts would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other awarded contracts in the social sciences and humanities R&D space, and any reported issues or successes on those engagements. Their overall size and experience suggest a capacity to handle complex R&D projects.

Were there any significant challenges or controversies associated with the execution or oversight of this contract?

The available summary data does not indicate any specific challenges or controversies related to this contract. However, Cost Plus Award Fee contracts, by their nature, can be complex to manage and oversee. Potential issues could arise from disagreements over performance metrics, the justification of award fees, or cost overruns if not managed diligently. A thorough review of contract close-out documentation, any Inspector General reports, or public records related to this specific award would be needed to identify any documented challenges.

How does the $42.4 million award compare to typical federal spending on social sciences and humanities R&D over a similar period?

The $42.4 million awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. represents a substantial investment in social sciences and humanities R&D. To benchmark this against typical federal spending, one would need to analyze aggregate data from agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Education, and others that fund this type of research. Factors such as the specific research areas funded, the number of concurrent projects, and overall budget allocations for social sciences R&D would provide context. This single contract, spanning over five years, likely represented a significant portion of funding for a particular research initiative or set of initiatives within the Department of Education.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15245 SHADY GROVE RD STE 200, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,581,520

Exercised Options: $42,414,622

Current Obligation: $42,414,622

Timeline