DoD's $14.3M computer systems design contract with General Dynamics awarded in 2007, ending in 2011
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,347,890 ($14.3M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-02-07
End Date: 2011-11-13
Contract Duration: 1,740 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: SUSTAINMENT
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78216
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: SUSTAINMENT Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.3 million over its duration. 2. Services provided under NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services). 3. Awarded as a definitive contract with a time and materials payment type. 4. Contractor is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. 5. Awarded by the Department of Defense. 6. Competition type: Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources. 7. Contract duration was 1740 days. 8. Performance location was Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.3 million over approximately 4.7 years averages to about $3 million per year. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables, it's difficult to benchmark the value for money. The time and materials payment type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, but it can also be effective for projects with evolving requirements. The contract's age (awarded in 2007) means current market rates for similar services would likely differ significantly.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, suggesting a potentially limited pool of bidders. The specific reasons for excluding sources are not detailed, which could impact the level of price discovery achieved. The presence of only one award (no: 1) further suggests a constrained competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in less favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to a fully open and unrestricted competition, as the government had a smaller pool of potential offerors to solicit bids from.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefited from computer systems design services. These services likely supported military operations or internal IT infrastructure. The geographic impact was primarily in Texas, where the contract was performed. The contract supported roles within the computer systems design and services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources could impact cost-effectiveness.
- Time and materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- The contract's age means its relevance to current technology and pricing is diminished.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a large, established defense contractor (General Dynamics).
- The contract was a definitive contract, suggesting a clear scope of work.
- The contract was performed in Texas, potentially supporting local economy.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) and professional services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design. The market for these services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. General Dynamics Mission Systems is a major player in defense IT and systems integration. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging due to its age and specific nature, but IT services represent a significant portion of federal spending.
Small Business Impact
The contract details indicate that small business participation (sb: false) was not a specific set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears minimal, unless General Dynamics voluntarily engaged small businesses as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which is responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the definitive contract and the time and materials payment structure. Transparency is limited by the available data; specific performance reports or audit findings are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense IT Services
- Computer Systems Design Services Contracts
- General Dynamics Federal Contracts
- Time and Materials Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
- Potential for cost escalation with Time and Materials contract type.
- Contract awarded in 2007, potentially outdated technology/pricing context.
Tags
it-services, computer-systems-design, department-of-defense, general-dynamics-mission-systems, definitive-contract, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, moderate-value, defense-contract-management-agency, texas
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. SUSTAINMENT
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 $14.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-07. End: 2011-11-13.
What was the specific nature of the 'Computer Systems Design Services' provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Computer Systems Design Services' under NAICS code 541512. This broad category typically encompasses services such as designing computer hardware and software, integrating hardware and software, and providing consulting services related to computer systems. Without more specific contract line item details or statements of work, it is impossible to determine the exact nature of the services. However, given the contractor and the awarding agency (Department of Defense), these services likely supported complex military systems, command and control infrastructure, or internal defense IT networks, rather than commercial off-the-shelf software development.
How does the $14.3 million contract value compare to similar DoD contracts for computer systems design services awarded around 2007?
Comparing the $14.3 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration (nearly 5 years) and scope. In 2007, the Department of Defense was a major spender on IT services. Contracts for complex systems design and integration could range from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars. A $14.3 million contract over this period for specialized design services would be considered moderate in size within the DoD's vast IT procurement landscape. However, without knowing the specific technical requirements, number of personnel, or deliverables, a direct comparison to 'similar' contracts is challenging. Many larger contracts would involve enterprise-wide solutions or major platform development, while this might have focused on a specific system or component.
What were the potential risks associated with a 'Time and Materials' contract for computer systems design?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to General Dynamics, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட rate. The main risk is that without stringent oversight and well-defined tasks, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if the project scope creeps or if the contractor's efficiency is low. For computer systems design, this could mean longer development cycles or unexpected technical challenges driving up labor hours. To mitigate these risks, the government must closely monitor labor hours, approve material purchases, and ensure efficient performance through regular progress reviews and defined milestones.
What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply about the bidding process and potential savings?
This specific competition type, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggests an unusual procurement scenario. Typically, 'Full and Open Competition' means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. However, the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders were deliberately excluded from participating. The reasons for exclusion are critical but not provided here. This exclusion inherently limits the competitive pool, potentially reducing the number of viable offers. While it was still 'open' to those not excluded, the reduction in competition could lead to less aggressive pricing from the remaining bidders, thereby diminishing potential cost savings for the taxpayer compared to a scenario where all qualified sources could compete freely.
Given the contract ended in 2011, how might its historical spending pattern inform current DoD IT procurement strategies?
The historical spending pattern of this $14.3 million contract, awarded in 2007 and ending in 2011, offers limited but still relevant insights. It highlights the DoD's continued reliance on established contractors like General Dynamics for complex IT and systems design services. The use of a definitive contract with a T&M payment type suggests a need for flexibility in requirements during the performance period. For current strategies, this contract serves as a data point illustrating a specific type of IT service procurement from that era. Modern DoD IT procurement often emphasizes agile methodologies, cybersecurity integration, cloud adoption, and potentially more fixed-price or performance-based contracts to drive innovation and cost efficiency. Analyzing such older contracts helps understand the evolution of procurement practices and identify areas where new approaches might yield better outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp
Address: 3133 GENERAL HUDNELL DR STE 300, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78226
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,347,890
Exercised Options: $14,347,890
Current Obligation: $14,347,890
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-07
Current End Date: 2011-11-13
Potential End Date: 2011-11-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-01-27
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