General Dynamics IT awarded over $145M for Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) system support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $145,331,905 ($145.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-03-01

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,491 days

Daily Burn Rate: $97.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (MC4) SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) SUPPORT, NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING, AND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $145.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (MC4) SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) SUPPORT, NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING, AND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for a critical military medical system. 2. The contract was awarded competitively, suggesting a degree of price discovery. 3. Performance period spans over four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The scope includes deployment, training, and system administration. 5. The value of the contract is substantial, reflecting the complexity of the services. 6. The contractor has a significant presence in IT services for government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of over $145 million for four years of support for the MC4 system appears reasonable given the scope of services, which include deployment, training, and system administration for a critical medical communications system. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts for defense systems suggests that the overall pricing is within expected ranges. The competitive nature of the award also provides some assurance of value for money, although specific cost breakdowns and comparisons to market rates for individual services would be needed for a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed under full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the 'competitive' designation suggests multiple proposals were likely received and evaluated. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Benefits military medical personnel by ensuring the functionality and usability of the MC4 system. Delivers critical IT support services for a system vital to combat casualty care. Geographic impact is likely global, supporting deployed military medical units. Workforce implications include IT specialists, trainers, and system administrators.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical system support.
Ensuring adequate knowledge transfer and sustainment beyond the contract period.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests potential for cost efficiencies.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical system operations.
Contractor's experience in government IT services is a positive signal.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and IT support for defense applications. The market for defense IT support is substantial, with significant government spending allocated to maintaining and upgrading complex systems like MC4. General Dynamics Information Technology is a major player in this space, competing with other large system integrators and IT service providers for similar government contracts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the contractor is a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless General Dynamics Information Technology actively engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency (General Services Administration) and the requiring agency (likely the Department of Defense). Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms and performance metrics. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4)
Defense Health Information Systems
Military Health System IT Support
Command and Control Systems Support

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues on complex system deployments.
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive medical data.
Ensuring adequate training for diverse end-user base.
Long-term system sustainment and obsolescence management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $145.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MEDICAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (MC4) SYSTEM DEPLOYMENT AND TRAINING, PRODUCT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) SUPPORT, NEW EQUIPMENT TRAINING, AND SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION

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 $145.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-03-01. End: 2010-03-31.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. with similar government IT support contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a long and extensive track record of providing IT support services to various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Defense and civilian departments. They are a major federal contractor with significant experience in areas such as system integration, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT modernization. GDIT has managed numerous large-scale contracts involving complex systems, often in mission-critical environments. Their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving defense health systems or large IT infrastructure deployments, would be a key factor in their selection for the MC4 contract. A review of their contract history would likely reveal a pattern of successful delivery, though like any large contractor, there may be instances of performance issues or disputes on specific contracts that would need to be considered in a comprehensive assessment.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to market rates for similar IT support services?

Determining a precise per-unit cost comparison for this contract is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered and their associated pricing structures. The contract covers a broad range of activities including system deployment, training, and administration for the MC4 system. Market rates for IT support services can vary significantly based on factors such as the complexity of the technology, the required skill sets of personnel (e.g., specialized medical IT expertise), geographic location of support, and the level of service required (e.g., 24/7 support vs. standard business hours). However, given that this was a competitive award, it suggests that the pricing was deemed reasonable relative to other proposals. Benchmarking against industry reports for IT services in the defense sector, particularly for specialized medical systems, would be necessary to provide a more definitive comparison. The average annual value of approximately $36 million suggests a significant investment, consistent with large-scale government IT support contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical challenges in deploying and maintaining the MC4 system, ensuring effective user training across diverse military medical personnel, and managing the long-term sustainment of the system. There's also a risk of cybersecurity threats targeting sensitive medical data. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management by GDIT, adherence to strict security protocols mandated by the government, comprehensive training programs tailored to end-users, and regular system performance monitoring and updates. The competitive nature of the award may also incentivize the contractor to perform well to secure future work. The government's oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and acceptance criteria, are crucial for managing these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for the MC4 system and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Historical spending on the Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care (MC4) system is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, the award of a $145 million contract spanning over four years (2006-2010) indicates a substantial and ongoing investment in this system. This contract likely represents a significant portion of the total lifecycle cost for MC4, covering its deployment, training, and operational support phases. Without prior contract data for MC4, it's difficult to establish a precise trend. However, the duration and value suggest that MC4 is a critical and enduring component of military medical information systems, requiring continuous support and upgrades. Future spending would depend on the system's continued relevance, technological advancements, and the evolving needs of combat casualty care.

What are the implications of this contract award for the specific IT services market segment?

This contract award has significant implications for the IT services market segment, particularly within the defense sector. It reinforces the demand for specialized IT support for mission-critical systems in healthcare and military applications. The substantial value of the contract highlights the lucrative nature of government IT contracts for large system integrators like General Dynamics Information Technology. It also underscores the importance of capabilities in system deployment, training, and ongoing administration for complex software solutions. For competitors, it signifies a major opportunity that was competed, indicating that market players must possess robust capabilities and competitive pricing to win such awards. The continued investment in systems like MC4 suggests a sustained market for services related to medical IT and defense communications.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: R3060379

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $153,695,778

Exercised Options: $145,331,905

Current Obligation: $145,331,905

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0027

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline