DoD's $250M Advanced Information Engineering Contract Awarded to General Dynamics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,988,599 ($25.0M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2004-06-25
End Date: 2014-12-31
Contract Duration: 3,841 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: 200411!000265!5700!GR16 !AFRL/MLKH HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS BR!FA865004C6443 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040625!20090619!004482378!116187758!001381284!N!ADVANCED INFORMATION ENGINEERI!4455 GENESEE STREET !BUFFALO !NY!14225!11000!029!36!BUFFALO !ERIE !NEW YORK !+000000782000!N!N!000014924965!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B!A!N!B! !A!N!U!2!005!E! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $25.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: 200411!000265!5700!GR16 !AFRL/MLKH HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS BR!FA865004C6443 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040625!20090619!004482378!116187758!001381284!N!ADVANCED INFORMATION ENGINEERI!4455 GENESEE STREET !BUFFALO !NY!14225!11000!029!36!BUFFALO !ERIE… Key points: 1. Contract value of $249.9M awarded for advanced information engineering. 2. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. secured the award. 3. The contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically physical, engineering, and life sciences. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $249.9M appears reasonable for a multi-year R&D effort in advanced information engineering. Benchmarking against similar large-scale defense R&D contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds invested in advanced defense technology.
Public Impact
Advancement in defense information engineering capabilities. Potential for technological breakthroughs with military applications. Investment in cutting-edge research and development for national security.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration is significantly extended beyond initial award.
- Potential for cost overruns in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Focus on critical defense R&D.
Sector Analysis
This contract is within the Defense sector, specifically focusing on Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The prime contractor is a large entity, and it's unclear if they will subcontract to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency, suggesting established oversight mechanisms. However, the extended duration warrants continued scrutiny of performance and spending.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Extended contract performance period.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $25.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. 200411!000265!5700!GR16 !AFRL/MLKH HUMAN EFFECTIVENESS BR!FA865004C6443 !A!N! !Y! ! !20040625!20090619!004482378!116187758!001381284!N!ADVANCED INFORMATION ENGINEERI!4455 GENESEE STREET !BUFFALO !NY!14225!11000!029!36!BUFFALO !ERIE !NEW YORK !+000000782000!N!N!000014924965!AD93!RDTE/OTHER DEFENSE-ADV TECH DEV !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !999
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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-06-25. End: 2014-12-31.
What specific technological advancements are expected from this contract, and how do they align with current defense priorities?
The contract aims to advance information engineering capabilities, likely focusing on areas such as artificial intelligence, data processing, and secure communication networks. These advancements are critical for modernizing defense systems, enhancing intelligence gathering, and improving operational effectiveness across various military branches, aligning with strategic goals for technological superiority.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and extended duration, what are the primary risks to cost control and budget adherence?
The primary risks to cost control in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract with an extended duration include potential scope creep, unforeseen technical challenges requiring additional resources, and contractor inefficiencies. The fixed fee provides some incentive for the contractor to manage costs, but the 'cost plus' element means the government bears the risk of actual expenses incurred.
How will the effectiveness of the advanced information engineering solutions be measured and validated to ensure they meet operational requirements?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through rigorous testing and validation phases, including simulations, prototype demonstrations, and operational field tests. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system performance, reliability, security, and integration capabilities will be established and tracked against defined requirements to ensure the solutions meet critical defense needs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 12450 FAIR LAKES CIR STE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-06-25
Current End Date: 2014-12-31
Potential End Date: 2014-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-11-03
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