DoD Awards $33M Task Order to General Dynamics for Battlefield Info System Development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,972,491 ($33.0M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-03-01
End Date: 2026-02-28
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: UNITED STATES BATTLEFIELD INFORMATION COLLECTION & EXPLOITATION SYSTEM EXTENDED TRUSTED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT TASK ORDER
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $33.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: UNITED STATES BATTLEFIELD INFORMATION COLLECTION & EXPLOITATION SYSTEM EXTENDED TRUSTED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Significant investment in advanced battlefield information systems. 2. General Dynamics Mission Systems is a major defense contractor. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and pricing. 4. Focus on IT services within the defense sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. The awarded amount of $32.97M for a 729-day period needs further scrutiny against similar development tasks.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning there was no open competition. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed, impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Enhances military intelligence and operational capabilities. Supports advanced technology development for national security. Potential for long-term reliance on a single vendor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can inflate costs.
- Lack of transparency in pricing.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical defense needs.
- Leverages established contractor expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically computer systems design. The Department of Defense is a major spender in this sector, with significant investments in advanced technological solutions for national security.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large corporation, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific task order.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the fixed fee is reasonable and that the government is receiving fair value for the services rendered. Robust contract management is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Lack of competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing.
- Limited transparency on justification.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-defense, az, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $33.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. UNITED STATES BATTLEFIELD INFORMATION COLLECTION & EXPLOITATION SYSTEM EXTENDED TRUSTED NETWORK ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT TASK ORDER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, 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 $33.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-03-01. End: 2026-02-28.
What specific justification was provided for the sole-source award, and how does it align with federal acquisition regulations for competitive sourcing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. For this contract, the specific justification needs to be reviewed against FAR Part 6. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if competitive alternatives were truly unavailable or if the government adequately explored them, impacting the potential for cost savings.
How does the fixed fee in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT development tasks, and what mechanisms are in place to control cost overruns?
Assessing the fixed fee requires benchmarking against similar contracts for IT development services, considering complexity and duration. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts inherently carry risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. The government must have strong oversight, including regular reviews of contractor performance and expenditures, to ensure the fixed fee remains fair and to mitigate potential increases.
What is the long-term strategy for the 'Battlefield Information Collection & Exploitation System,' and does this sole-source award create a dependency that could hinder future innovation or competitio
The long-term strategy for this system is critical. A sole-source award, while potentially efficient for immediate needs, can create vendor lock-in, making it harder to introduce new technologies or switch providers later. The government should consider future competition strategies and ensure contract clauses allow for flexibility and innovation to avoid long-term dependency.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: FA714624R0004
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wico Limited
Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,972,491
Exercised Options: $32,972,491
Current Obligation: $32,972,491
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $100,891
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA714624D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-03-01
Current End Date: 2026-02-28
Potential End Date: 2026-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-19
More Contracts from General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
- 200410!005969!2100!w15p7t!usa Communications-Electronics !w15p7t04ce405 !A!N! !N! ! !20040716!20111230!046863929!046863929!001381284!n!general Dynamics Decision Syst!8201 E Mcdowell Road !scottsdale !az!85257!65000!013!04!scottsdale !maricopa !arizona !+000010000000!n!n!000000000000!ac63!rdte/Electronics&communication Eq-Adv Tech DEV !A7 !electronics and Communication Equip !360 !jtrs Cluster I !541330!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!b! !A!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! ! — $1.5B (Department of Defense)
- Federal Contract — $1.4B (Department of Defense)
- THE Space Network (SN) Consists of a Space Segment Comprised of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (tdrss), and a Ground Segment (sngs). the SN Provides the Capability for Global Space-To-Ground Telecommunications and Tracking Coverage for LOW Earth Orbit (LEO) and Near-Earth Spaceflight Missions, Including Both Robotic and Human Space Flight. the Sngs Includes Facilities and Systems Located AT the White Sands Complex (WSC) AT LAS Cruces, NM the Guam Remote Ground Terminal (grgt) AT Guam and Space Network Expansion (SNE) East AT Blossom Point, MD. the Purpose of the Sgss Project IS to Implement a Modern Ground Segment That Will Enable the SN to Continue to Deliver High Quality Services to the SN Community, Meet Stakeholder Requirements, and Significantly Reduce Required Operations and Maintenance Resources — $1.2B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Department of Defense)
- SDA Tranche 1 Operations and Integration — $861.6M (Department of Defense)
View all General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. federal contracts →
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)