DoD Awards $29.5M for Tactical Signature Guidance Systems to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,471,761 ($29.5M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-05-22

End Date: 2017-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,562 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE CURRICULUM, UPGRADES, SYSTEMS AND MAINTENANCE IN SUPPORT OF TACTICAL SIGNATURE GUIDANCE AND TRAINING SYSTEMS. THESE SYSTEMS PROVIDE SIGNATURES GUIDANCE FOR UTILIZATION IN THE CONDUCT OF TACTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF SIGNATURE CONTENT FOR FLEET PERSONNEL.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE CURRICULUM, UPGRADES, SYSTEMS AND MAINTENANCE IN SUPPORT OF TACTICAL SIGNATURE GUIDANCE AND TRAINING SYSTEMS. THESE SYSTEMS PROVIDE SIGNATURES GUIDANCE FOR UTILIZATION IN THE CONDUCT OF TACTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF SIGNA… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical tactical oceanography training for fleet personnel. 2. General Dynamics IT is a major defense contractor, indicating significant market presence. 3. Potential risk associated with reliance on a single contractor for specialized systems. 4. Spending falls within the Engineering Services sector, often characterized by complex projects.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $29.5M over approximately 4 years appears reasonable for specialized engineering and training systems. Benchmarking against similar complex system development contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential defense training capabilities.

Public Impact

Enhances fleet readiness through advanced tactical oceanography training. Supports the development and maintenance of specialized guidance systems. Ensures personnel have the necessary skills for understanding signature content. Contributes to the technological edge of naval operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical systems.
Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical defense training needs.
Experienced contractor with a track record in IT and defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, a sector that often involves complex, long-term projects requiring specialized expertise. Spending benchmarks for similar tactical training systems are difficult to ascertain without more specific data.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business. There is no explicit information on small business subcontracting participation in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring by the Department of the Navy to ensure delivery of required curriculum, upgrades, and systems, as well as adherence to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Overruns (CPFF contract type)
Vendor Lock-in/Sole-Source Dependency
Technology Obsolescence
Scope Creep
Integration Challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE CURRICULUM, UPGRADES, SYSTEMS AND MAINTENANCE IN SUPPORT OF TACTICAL SIGNATURE GUIDANCE AND TRAINING SYSTEMS. THESE SYSTEMS PROVIDE SIGNATURES GUIDANCE FOR UTILIZATION IN THE CONDUCT OF TACTICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF SIGNATURE CONTENT FOR FLEET PERSONNEL.

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 Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-05-22. End: 2017-08-31.

What is the projected return on investment for these tactical signature guidance systems in terms of improved fleet performance or reduced operational risks?

Quantifying the direct ROI is challenging without specific performance metrics. However, improved tactical oceanography understanding and signature content analysis are expected to enhance fleet decision-making, potentially leading to more effective operations, reduced mission risks, and optimized resource allocation. The value lies in enhancing warfighter capabilities and operational effectiveness in complex maritime environments.

What are the key risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this specialized system development and maintenance?

The primary risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as the government bears the cost overruns. For specialized systems, defining the scope and ensuring efficient resource utilization can be challenging, potentially leading to increased costs for the government if not managed diligently through robust oversight.

How effectively will these systems be integrated with existing naval training infrastructure and operational platforms to maximize their impact?

The effectiveness of integration depends on the contractor's adherence to technical specifications and interoperability standards set by the Department of the Navy. Successful integration requires close collaboration between the contractor and naval technical teams to ensure seamless data flow and user experience. Regular testing and validation throughout the contract period are crucial to confirm effective integration and maximize the training impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Solicitation ID: N0002412R3096

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corporation

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: $33,800,701

Exercised Options: $33,800,701

Current Obligation: $29,471,761

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $718,082

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline