Air Force contract for professional services awarded to CSC Systems & Solutions LLC for over $878M, spanning 6 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,401,804 ($16.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-09-06

End Date: 2012-03-14

Contract Duration: 2,016 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200612!000943!5700!FA7014!AIR FORCE DST OF WASHINGTON !GS23F0122M !C!N! !Y!FA701406FA124! !20060906!20070914!878986504!003242013!009581091!N!CSC SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC !6101 STEVENSON AVENUE !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22304!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000004512694!N!N!000000000000!R499!OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541611!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !C!N! ! ! ! ! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !FA7012!0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22304, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200612!000943!5700!FA7014!AIR FORCE DST OF WASHINGTON !GS23F0122M !C!N! !Y!FA701406FA124! !20060906!20070914!878986504!003242013!009581091!N!CSC SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC !6101 STEVENSON AVENUE !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22304!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DIST… Key points: 1. The contract's value of over $878 million for professional services represents a significant investment by the Air Force. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing and a wide range of bidder capabilities. 3. The duration of the contract, extending over six years, implies a long-term need for the services provided. 4. The award to CSC Systems & Solutions LLC highlights the company's role in supporting critical defense operations. 5. The Public Relations Agencies (NAICS 541820) sector suggests services related to communication, media relations, and public affairs. 6. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature aims to provide cost certainty for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without specific service details and comparable contracts. However, an $878 million award over six years for professional services, particularly in the public relations or communications domain, is substantial. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the sheer magnitude warrants scrutiny to ensure value for money. Without more granular data on the specific services rendered and their impact, a definitive value assessment is difficult, but the scale alone raises questions about efficiency and necessity.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The presence of multiple bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field indicating 3 bids, further supports the notion of a competitive process. This level of competition is generally favorable for the government in securing services at market-driven prices.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received. It ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider, allowing for the possibility of better deals and innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Air Force, receiving essential professional services to support its operations. Services delivered likely encompass public relations, strategic communications, media engagement, and potentially crisis communication support. The geographic impact is centered around the Air Force's operational areas, with potential national implications for public perception and communication strategies. Workforce implications may include direct employment by CSC Systems & Solutions LLC and indirect support roles within the defense communication ecosystem.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The substantial dollar amount and long duration could indicate potential for scope creep or cost overruns if not meticulously managed.
Lack of specific service details makes it difficult to assess the true necessity and efficiency of the awarded services.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a significant period might limit flexibility in adapting to evolving communication needs.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating risks associated with cost-reimbursement contracts.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process, likely resulting in a capable and cost-effective solution.
The long contract duration implies a stable and predictable need for these services, allowing for strategic planning and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically related to Public Relations Agencies (NAICS 541820). This sector is crucial for government agencies to manage their public image, communicate policy, and engage with stakeholders. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The Air Force's spending in this area reflects the importance of strategic communication in modern defense operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar communication and public affairs services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, CSC Systems & Solutions LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could provide opportunities within the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, where the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services within the agreed-upon price. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Public Affairs Contracts
Air Force Communication Services
Professional Services Contracts
Federal Public Relations Spending
Large-Scale Government Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Large contract value
Long contract duration
Lack of specific service details
Potential for cost overruns if not managed
Limited transparency on performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200612!000943!5700!FA7014!AIR FORCE DST OF WASHINGTON !GS23F0122M !C!N! !Y!FA701406FA124! !20060906!20070914!878986504!003242013!009581091!N!CSC SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC !6101 STEVENSON AVENUE !ALEXANDRIA !VA!22304!50000!001!11!WASHINGTON !DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA !D.C. !+000004512694!N!N!000000000000!R499!OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !541611!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !999

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 Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-06. End: 2012-03-14.

What specific public relations or communication services were included in this $878 million contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541820 (Public Relations Agencies) and the PSC code R499 (Other Professional Services). However, it does not detail the specific services rendered. Typically, contracts in this category could include strategic communication planning, media relations, content creation, public affairs support, crisis communication, social media management, and event support. The broad nature of 'Other Professional Services' suggests the scope could be extensive, potentially encompassing a wide array of communication-related activities tailored to the Air Force's specific needs during the contract period (2006-2012).

How does the $878 million value compare to other large federal contracts for public relations or communication services?

An $878 million contract over six years is a substantial award, placing it among the larger federal contracts for professional services, particularly within the public relations and communication domain. While specific comparisons require access to detailed contract databases and analysis of similar-sized awards during the 2006-2012 period, contracts of this magnitude typically support major agency-wide initiatives or long-term strategic communication needs. It suggests a significant and ongoing requirement for external expertise in managing the Air Force's public image and communications.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. For professional services contracts, especially in public relations, KPIs often relate to media coverage achieved, message penetration, public sentiment analysis, stakeholder engagement levels, and the successful execution of communication campaigns. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that the contractor was obligated to deliver the defined scope of work, with performance likely assessed against contractual deliverables and objectives set forth in the statement of work.

What was the track record of CSC Systems & Solutions LLC with federal contracts prior to and during this award?

Prior to and during the period of this contract (2006-2012), CSC Systems & Solutions LLC (now part of DXC Technology) was a major federal contractor. They had a significant history of performing large-scale IT and professional services for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their track record generally involved complex system integration, IT support, and a range of professional services. While specific performance details for this particular contract are not in the provided data, CSC's overall presence indicated a capacity to handle large, long-term government engagements.

Were there any notable challenges or disputes associated with this contract during its performance period?

The provided data does not contain information regarding specific challenges, disputes, or contract modifications for this award. Large, long-term contracts can sometimes encounter issues related to scope changes, performance disagreements, or funding adjustments. However, without access to contract modification history, performance reviews, or official dispute records, it is impossible to ascertain if any significant challenges arose during the execution of this particular contract between 2006 and 2012.

How did the Air Force manage the transition or renewal of these services after the contract's expiration in 2012?

The provided data only covers the award and basic details of the contract ending in 2012. Information regarding the Air Force's subsequent actions, such as contract renewal, re-competition, or transition to a new vendor, is not included. Typically, agencies would initiate a new procurement process well before a contract's expiration to ensure continuity of services. The outcome of that process (e.g., whether the services were re-competed, awarded to the incumbent, or transitioned elsewhere) would be documented in subsequent contract awards.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0122M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline