General Dynamics IT awarded $19.5M for Army National Guard IT support, a contract spanning five years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,475,955 ($19.5M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-03-03

End Date: 2013-03-02

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $19.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Key points: 1. The contract's value of $19.5 million over five years suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure for the Army National Guard. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are assessed to understand if the pricing reflects market value. 3. Risk indicators are evaluated based on the contractor's performance history and the nature of IT support services. 4. Performance context is established by comparing this award to similar IT support contracts within the federal government. 5. The contract positions General Dynamics Information Technology as a key provider of IT services to a major military branch. 6. The duration of the contract (five years) indicates a long-term need for sustained IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19.5 million over five years, averaging approximately $3.9 million annually, appears reasonable for comprehensive IT support services to a large organization like the Army National Guard. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) for federal agencies of comparable size and scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the absence of specific performance metrics or detailed service breakdowns makes a definitive value judgment challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government. The GSA's Federal Acquisition Service likely managed a robust solicitation process to ensure a wide range of qualified contractors could participate.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a diverse pool of contractors to offer their best value solutions.

Public Impact

The Army National Guard benefits from enhanced IT infrastructure and support, ensuring operational readiness and efficiency. Services delivered include custom computer programming and IT support, crucial for maintaining complex military systems. The geographic impact is national, supporting the distributed operations of the Army National Guard across various states and territories. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals employed by General Dynamics Information Technology to support this critical government function.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and technological advancements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing structure.
Contractor has a significant presence in federal IT services, indicating experience.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable IT support and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services and IT support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in technology to modernize operations and enhance capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support contracts within defense and civilian agencies can range from millions to billions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and scale of services required. This contract represents a mid-tier investment for a specific branch's IT needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific prime contract is likely minimal unless subcontracting opportunities are actively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Army National Guard, supported by the General Services Administration (GSA). Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Army IT Modernization Programs
National Guard Bureau IT Services
GSA IT Schedule Contracts
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Dependence on contractor for critical IT infrastructure.
Need for continuous monitoring of evolving cybersecurity threats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $19.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IT SUPPORT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

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 $19.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-03. End: 2013-03-02.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with similar federal IT support contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has a substantial track record of performing IT support and services for various federal agencies, including defense and civilian departments. They are a frequent awardee of large-scale IT contracts, often involving complex systems integration, cybersecurity, and managed services. Their experience spans across multiple branches of the military and civilian government entities, demonstrating a broad capability in delivering IT solutions. Analyzing their past performance on contracts of similar size and scope, particularly those involving custom programming and operational support, would provide further insight into their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling the requirements of the Army National Guard contract.

How does the $19.5 million contract value compare to other IT support contracts for military branches?

The $19.5 million contract value for five years of IT support for the Army National Guard, averaging approximately $3.9 million per year, is a significant but not exceptionally large sum in the context of federal IT spending for military branches. Larger branches or agencies with more extensive IT infrastructure and complex operational needs often award contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars. For instance, contracts supporting the Department of Defense's enterprise-wide IT infrastructure or major weapon system IT components can far exceed this amount. This contract appears to be focused on specific IT support functions for a particular component of the military, making its value relative to its defined scope.

What are the primary risks associated with providing custom computer programming and IT support to the Army National Guard?

Primary risks in providing custom computer programming and IT support to the Army National Guard include the potential for evolving technological requirements and cybersecurity threats. Military IT systems operate in a dynamic and often high-stakes environment, necessitating continuous adaptation to new software, hardware, and security protocols. Another risk is the complexity of integrating new systems with legacy infrastructure, which can lead to compatibility issues and delays. Furthermore, ensuring the availability and performance of critical IT services around the clock, especially during operational deployments or emergencies, presents a significant challenge. Maintaining data integrity and protecting sensitive military information from cyberattacks are paramount risks that require robust security measures and constant vigilance.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for IT support contracts?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in IT support contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This competitive pressure incentivizes contractors to offer their best technical capabilities and most cost-effective proposals to win the contract. While it requires a more extensive procurement process, the potential for cost savings and superior service delivery often outweighs the administrative effort. The GSA's management of such competitions aims to strike a balance between thoroughness and efficiency to achieve optimal value.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services within the Army National Guard or similar entities?

Historical spending on IT support services within the Army National Guard and similar military components has generally shown a consistent upward trend, driven by the increasing reliance on technology for command, control, communications, and intelligence (C4I) functions. Agencies like the National Guard Bureau and various Army commands have continuously invested in modernizing their IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and procuring specialized software and hardware. This spending is often characterized by a mix of large, long-term contracts for core IT services and smaller, more agile procurements for specific technological solutions or upgrades. Analyzing past contract awards and budget allocations for IT within these organizations would reveal patterns of investment and the evolution of their technology needs over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,405,631

Exercised Options: $21,405,631

Current Obligation: $19,475,955

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0027

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline