General Dynamics IT awarded $55.7M for deployed IT support, a significant contract for custom computer programming services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $55,674,356 ($55.7M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2011-09-14

End Date: 2016-09-13

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEPLOYED IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR JIEDDO

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $55.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: DEPLOYED IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR JIEDDO Key points: 1. The contract value of $55.7M over five years suggests a substantial investment in IT support. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a focused supplier relationship. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight. 4. This award falls under custom computer programming services, a key area for federal IT infrastructure. 5. The duration of 1826 days (approximately 5 years) points to a long-term need for these services. 6. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration, a common channel for IT procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $55.7M over five years averages to approximately $11.1M annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale IT support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure suggests that the government aims to control costs while incentivizing high performance, which can be a value-for-money approach if managed effectively. The absence of a specific price per unit makes direct cost comparison difficult, but the overall award size indicates a significant commitment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that there were 4 bids received suggests a reasonable level of competition for this requirement. This competitive process is generally expected to lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among potential contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel and government agencies requiring deployed IT support. Services delivered include custom computer programming and related IT support functions. The geographic impact is likely broad, given the 'deployed' nature of the support, potentially supporting operations globally. Workforce implications include the creation or maintenance of IT support jobs within General Dynamics IT and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored.
The broad scope of 'deployed IT support' could encompass a wide range of services, making performance measurement complex.
Reliance on a single awardee for a significant duration may limit flexibility in adapting to rapidly changing IT needs.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process that sought the best value.
The Cost Plus Award Fee structure is designed to reward superior performance, potentially leading to higher quality service delivery.
The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term requirement that the agency is committed to fulfilling.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The federal IT market is vast, with significant spending on software development, system integration, and IT support. Contracts like this are crucial for maintaining and upgrading the technological infrastructure that supports government operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services categories, often dominated by large system integrators and software developers.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, as a large prime contractor, General Dynamics IT may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates detailed performance monitoring and evaluation to determine award fees, providing a degree of accountability. Transparency would be enhanced through public contract data, but specific oversight reports or IG involvement would depend on performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

IT Support Services
Custom Computer Programming
Defense IT Services
General Services Administration IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Long contract duration may pose risks if technology or needs evolve rapidly.
Scope definition for 'deployed IT support' needs clear management to prevent creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $55.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. DEPLOYED IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR JIEDDO

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 $55.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-14. End: 2016-09-13.

What is the historical spending pattern for deployed IT support services by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for deployed IT support services by the GSA requires access to detailed historical contract data. Without specific historical data for this exact service category or contract number, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, the GSA consistently awards billions of dollars annually for IT services across various categories, including custom programming, system integration, and support. The trend in federal IT spending has generally been upward, driven by modernization efforts, cybersecurity needs, and the increasing reliance on technology for government operations. Contracts like the one awarded to General Dynamics IT represent a portion of this larger, ongoing investment in federal IT capabilities. Further analysis would involve examining GSA's annual IT budget allocations and specific contract awards within the 541511 NAICS code over several fiscal years.

How does the awarded amount compare to other similar custom computer programming contracts?

Comparing the $55.7 million award to similar custom computer programming contracts requires a benchmark of contracts with comparable scope, duration, and agency. The Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases would be necessary to identify comparable awards. Given the five-year duration, the average annual value is approximately $11.1 million. This figure is substantial and suggests a significant, long-term requirement. Contracts of this magnitude are typically awarded to large, established IT service providers. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average value. However, the 'full and open competition' with 4 bidders suggests the government sought competitive pricing for this level of service.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine award fees in this Cost Plus Award Fee contract?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to determine award fees for this 'DEPLOYED IT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR JIEDDO' contract are not publicly detailed in the provided data. However, for Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contracts, KPIs typically revolve around critical aspects of service delivery. These often include metrics related to system uptime and availability, response times for technical support, successful resolution rates of IT issues, adherence to project timelines and milestones, cybersecurity compliance, and overall customer satisfaction. The 'award fee' component incentivizes the contractor to exceed baseline performance requirements. The government agency (GSA in this case) would have established a Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlining these specific metrics and the criteria for achieving different levels of award fees.

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

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a long and extensive track record of performing large-scale IT support and custom computer programming services for various U.S. government agencies. They are a major federal contractor with significant experience in areas such as enterprise IT, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and mission support. GDIT has held numerous prime contracts with agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Department of Homeland Security. Their history includes managing complex, multi-year programs involving deployed systems and extensive user support. While specific performance details for every contract are not always public, GDIT's continued success in winning large federal IT contracts suggests a generally positive track record in meeting government requirements and performance expectations.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year Cost Plus Award Fee contract for deployed IT support?

A five-year Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for deployed IT support carries several potential risks. Firstly, the CPAF structure, while incentivizing performance, can lead to higher costs if the 'cost' element is not tightly controlled and the 'award' fees are consistently maximized without commensurate value. Secondly, the five-year duration, while providing stability, might lead to contractor complacency or a slower adoption of cutting-edge technologies if not actively managed. For 'deployed' support, ensuring consistent service quality across potentially diverse and remote locations presents logistical and oversight challenges. There's also the risk of scope creep, where the definition of 'deployed IT support' expands over time, potentially increasing costs without formal contract modifications. Finally, over-reliance on a single contractor for such a critical function could pose a risk if the contractor experiences financial instability or significant performance issues.

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: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Csra LLC (UEI: 080011988)

Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $97,079,590

Exercised Options: $80,469,358

Current Obligation: $55,674,356

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00T11AJC0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline