General Dynamics IT awarded $77.9M EPA contract for Superfund sample management, spanning nearly a decade

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $77,935,550 ($77.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2014-03-20

End Date: 2023-03-19

Contract Duration: 3,286 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SUPERFUND SAMPLE MANAGEMENT OFFICE (SMO)

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $77.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SUPERFUND SAMPLE MANAGEMENT OFFICE (SMO) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in environmental remediation support services. 2. The long duration suggests a sustained need for these specialized management capabilities. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract will be crucial in assessing value for money. 4. Performance context is tied to the critical mission of the EPA's Superfund program. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative and management consulting services supporting environmental agencies. 6. Risk indicators may include contractor performance history and the complexity of Superfund site management.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $77.9 million over approximately nine years averages to about $8.6 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for large-scale environmental management and consulting services is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure suggests that while the contractor's fee is fixed, the government bears the risk of cost overruns, which warrants careful monitoring of expenditures to ensure value.

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. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. While full and open competition is generally preferred for price discovery, the specific number of bidders and the nature of the proposals would determine the extent to which it drove competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it theoretically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors, potentially reducing costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits through enhanced support for its Superfund program. Services delivered include sample management, crucial for the assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting Superfund sites across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled environmental scientists, technicians, and project managers employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in CPFF contracts.
Ensuring consistent quality of sample management across diverse Superfund sites.
Contractor's ability to adapt to evolving environmental regulations and scientific methodologies.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long contract duration implies a stable and reliable service provider.
Focus on a critical environmental mission (Superfund) indicates alignment with national priorities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector, specifically supporting environmental remediation efforts. The market for environmental consulting services is substantial, driven by regulatory compliance, cleanup mandates like Superfund, and increasing environmental awareness. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a major player in government IT and professional services, and this contract represents a significant portion of their work within the environmental services niche.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside criterion (ss: false, sb: false). While General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would need further investigation to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem supporting federal environmental contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would primarily reside with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The contract's CPFF structure necessitates rigorous oversight of costs and performance to ensure accountability. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Depending on the nature of the work and any associated risks, the EPA's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations.

Related Government Programs

EPA Superfund Program
Environmental Consulting Services
Hazardous Waste Management
Sample Analysis and Management
Federal IT and Professional Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure carries inherent risk of cost overruns for the government.
Long contract duration requires sustained vigilance in performance monitoring.
Complexity of Superfund sites may present unique logistical and technical challenges.
Dependence on contractor's adherence to strict environmental and data integrity standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $77.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::CL::IGF SUPERFUND SAMPLE MANAGEMENT OFFICE (SMO)

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 $77.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-03-20. End: 2023-03-19.

What is the historical spending trend for Superfund sample management services by the EPA?

Analyzing historical spending on Superfund sample management requires a review of past EPA contracts and budget allocations specifically for this function. While this specific contract spans from 2014 to 2023 with a total value of $77.9 million, understanding the broader trend involves looking at prior contract awards for similar services, the overall budget for the Superfund program, and any fluctuations in remediation activities. For instance, if remediation efforts have increased or decreased over time, or if new analytical technologies have been introduced, these factors would influence spending patterns. Without access to a comprehensive historical database of EPA's sample management expenditures, it's difficult to provide precise trend data, but the sustained award to a single contractor for nearly a decade suggests a consistent and significant requirement.

How does the per-unit cost of sample management under this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for sample management under this contract is challenging without detailed breakdowns of the services provided and their associated costs. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), meaning the government pays the contractor's allowable costs plus a fixed fee. To benchmark per-unit costs, one would need to identify specific units (e.g., cost per sample analyzed, cost per sample collected, cost per sample stored) and compare these to industry standards for similar environmental consulting services. Factors like the complexity of the samples, the required turnaround time, and the geographic location of the Superfund sites would significantly influence these costs. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contractor's detailed cost proposals and performance reports, which are typically not publicly available.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s track record with EPA and similar environmental contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record of performing IT and professional services for various federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Their experience often spans large-scale program management, data analysis, and technical support. For EPA contracts specifically, GDIT has been involved in areas related to environmental data management, regulatory compliance support, and scientific analysis. Their performance on previous contracts, including any awards, penalties, or significant issues, would be detailed in federal procurement databases and agency performance reviews. A review of their past performance ratings and any past performance questionnaires (PPQs) submitted during the bidding process for this contract would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in managing complex environmental programs like Superfund.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this sample management contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract like this, focused on Superfund sample management, would likely revolve around accuracy, timeliness, cost control, and compliance. Specific KPIs could include: the percentage of samples managed within required chain-of-custody protocols, the turnaround time for sample analysis and reporting, the accuracy rate of data entry and management, adherence to budget constraints (especially relevant for the 'cost' portion of CPFF), and compliance with all relevant environmental regulations and EPA directives. Performance would also be assessed based on the contractor's ability to manage logistical challenges associated with diverse Superfund sites and potentially hazardous materials. These KPIs would be formally outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and monitored through regular progress reports and performance evaluations.

How has the scope of work for Superfund sample management evolved over the life of this contract?

The scope of work for Superfund sample management can evolve due to several factors over the life of a long-term contract like this one (2014-2023). Changes in environmental science and technology, such as the development of new analytical methods or improved sample preservation techniques, could alter how samples are handled and processed. Evolving regulatory requirements from the EPA or other governing bodies might necessitate changes in data reporting, quality assurance, or the types of analyses performed. Furthermore, the specific needs of individual Superfund sites can change as remediation progresses, potentially requiring adjustments in the volume, frequency, or complexity of sample management. Contract modifications, task orders, or formal amendments would typically document any significant changes to the original scope of work.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: SOL-HQ-12-00031

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

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: $110,098,278

Exercised Options: $93,351,941

Current Obligation: $77,935,550

Actual Outlays: $12,093,137

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $2,758,580

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline