Computer Sciences Corporation awarded $83.6M task order for DoD cyber training and IT support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $92,054,243 ($92.1M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2015-03-10

End Date: 2020-03-09

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' TASK ORDER (TO) GSQ0015AJ0043 IS HEREBY AWARDED TO COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION (CSC) TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), DEFENSE CYBER CRIME CENTER (DC3), DEFENSE CYBER INVESTIGATION TRAINING ACADEMY (DCITA) SUPPORT IN DCITA OPERATIONS, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, CURRICULUM DELIVERY, COURSEWARE AND TRAINING SUPPORT, AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DCITA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS TO WILL BE MARCH 10, 2015 MARCH 09, 2020. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE TO WILL BE $83,625,996 AND THE TO WILL BE FUNDED IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,187,860 AT AWARD.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $92.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: ''IGF::OT::IGF'' TASK ORDER (TO) GSQ0015AJ0043 IS HEREBY AWARDED TO COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION (CSC) TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), DEFENSE CYBER CRIME CENTER (DC3), DEFENSE CYBER INVESTIGATION TRAINING ACADEMY (DCITA) SUPPORT IN DCITA OPERATIONS, CURRICULUM DEVEL… Key points: 1. The task order focuses on critical cyber investigation training and IT maintenance for the Defense Cyber Crime Center. 2. A significant portion of the funding was obligated at award, indicating immediate operational needs. 3. The contract type, Cost Plus Award Fee, incentivizes performance but requires careful monitoring of costs. 4. The five-year duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized cyber defense services. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total value of $83.6 million over five years for specialized cyber training and IT support appears reasonable given the critical nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support and training within defense agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure allows for performance incentives, but necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with objectives and market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The level of competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring the government receives value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market where contractors are motivated to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Cyber Crime Center and its training academy, benefits from enhanced operational capabilities and curriculum development. Personnel within the Defense Cyber Investigation Training Academy will receive updated training and support, improving their skills in cyber investigations. The contract supports IT infrastructure and maintenance, ensuring the smooth operation of critical cyber defense systems. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the Defense Cyber Crime Center is located.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single task order for critical functions may present a risk if performance issues arise.
The specific details of award fee criteria are not provided, making it difficult to assess performance incentives fully.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
The contract duration of five years indicates a stable and ongoing need for these services, suggesting a well-defined requirement.
The task order addresses critical cybersecurity training and IT support for a vital defense agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for cybersecurity training and IT support within the defense sector is substantial and highly specialized. This task order represents a component of the government's overall investment in maintaining a skilled cyber workforce and robust IT infrastructure to combat evolving cyber threats. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other large IT support and training contracts awarded to defense contractors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the purview of the Defense Cyber Crime Center and the contracting agency, likely the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates robust performance monitoring and financial oversight to ensure contractor performance meets objectives and costs are justified. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and award fee determinations.

Related Government Programs

Defense Cyber Crime Center Operations
Cybersecurity Training Programs
IT Support Services for Government Agencies
Defense Information Technology Contracting

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs and ensure value.
Potential for performance issues in large, complex IT service contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $92.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. ''IGF::OT::IGF'' TASK ORDER (TO) GSQ0015AJ0043 IS HEREBY AWARDED TO COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION (CSC) TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD), DEFENSE CYBER CRIME CENTER (DC3), DEFENSE CYBER INVESTIGATION TRAINING ACADEMY (DCITA) SUPPORT IN DCITA OPERATIONS, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, CURRICULUM DELIVERY, COURSEWARE AND TRAINING SUPPORT, AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DCITA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS TO WILL BE MARCH 10, 2015 MARCH 09, 2020. THE TOT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $92.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-03-10. End: 2020-03-09.

What is the track record of Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in delivering similar IT support and training services to the Department of Defense?

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), prior to its acquisition by DXC Technology, had a significant history of supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) with a wide range of IT services, including infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and training solutions. CSC was known for its large-scale IT contracts across various government agencies. While specific performance metrics for this particular task order (GSQ0015AJ0043) are not detailed here, CSC's general experience suggests a capacity to handle complex requirements. However, as with any large contractor, performance can vary across contracts, and a detailed review of past performance evaluations and any reported issues related to similar DoD contracts would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. The transition to DXC Technology also introduces a layer of organizational change that could impact service delivery continuity and historical performance context.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Award Fee) compare to other IT support contracts of similar scope within the DoD?

Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts are common within the DoD for services where performance outcomes are critical and can be objectively measured, but precise cost estimation is challenging upfront. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPAF offers flexibility but can potentially lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as it includes reimbursement of allowable costs plus an award fee based on performance. For IT support and training services, CPAF is often used to incentivize high performance in areas like system uptime, training effectiveness, and responsiveness. Benchmarking would involve comparing the total contract value relative to the scope of work and duration against other CPAF or similar incentive-fee contracts for IT services within defense agencies. Without specific performance metrics and award fee determinations for this contract, a direct value-for-money comparison is difficult, but the structure itself is a recognized, albeit potentially more expensive, method for procuring complex services where performance is key.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for this contract, and how are they measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for this task order. In a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, the government typically establishes a set of measurable performance standards related to the services being provided. For a contract involving DCITA operations, curriculum development, delivery, and IT maintenance, KPIs could include metrics such as training completion rates, student satisfaction scores, curriculum relevance and update frequency, IT system availability and response times, and adherence to project milestones. The award fee is then determined based on how well the contractor meets or exceeds these pre-defined criteria. Without access to the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or the award fee plan, a detailed assessment of the KPIs and their measurement methodology is not possible.

What is the historical spending trend for DCITA support services, and how does this $83.6M task order fit within that trend?

The provided data focuses on a single task order awarded in March 2015. To understand the historical spending trend for DCITA support services, one would need to examine prior contracts awarded to DCITA for similar functions, including IT support, curriculum development, and training delivery. This would involve searching contract databases for previous awards to DCITA or its prime contractors over several fiscal years. This $83.6 million task order, spanning five years, represents a significant investment. Analyzing its value in the context of previous spending would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of funding for these critical support functions. Without that broader historical data, it's challenging to place this specific task order within a larger spending trend.

Are there any known risks associated with Computer Sciences Corporation's performance on this specific task order or similar government contracts?

The provided data does not contain specific risk flags or performance issues related to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) on this particular task order (GSQ0015AJ0043). However, as CSC was a large federal contractor, it's possible that performance issues or risks may have been documented in past performance reviews or contract databases not included here. General risks associated with large IT service contracts include potential cost overruns (especially with CPAF), schedule delays, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and challenges in meeting evolving technical requirements. Given CSC's subsequent acquisition by DXC Technology, integration challenges could also be a potential risk factor. A thorough risk assessment would require consulting sources like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) bid protest decisions, CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports, and other contract performance databases.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

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: $111,030,995

Exercised Options: $111,030,995

Current Obligation: $92,054,243

Actual Outlays: $-670

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $5,756,649

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q09BGD0025

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline