General Dynamics IT awarded $102.8M for Iraq website services, highlighting long-term IT support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $102,876,879 ($102.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-03-04

End Date: 2014-09-20

Contract Duration: 2,026 days

Daily Burn Rate: $50.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IRAQ WEBSITE

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $102.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IRAQ WEBSITE Key points: 1. Contract value of $102.8 million indicates significant investment in sustained IT operations. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. Contract duration of over 5 years points to potential long-term reliance on the vendor. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 5. The award falls within professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. 6. Geographic focus on Iraq implies specialized logistical and security considerations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $102.8 million for a 5-year period for website services in Iraq appears reasonable given the complexities of operating in a foreign, potentially high-risk environment. Benchmarking against similar long-term, geographically specific IT support contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to manage cost overruns, which is a positive indicator for value.

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. With 9 bidders, the competition level was substantial, suggesting that the government likely received competitive pricing. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government obtains services at market rates.

Taxpayer Impact: A high level of competition benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors vying for the award.

Public Impact

Provides essential online information and communication infrastructure for operations in Iraq. Supports military and diplomatic personnel operating in the region. Facilitates public access to information related to U.S. presence and activities in Iraq. Contributes to the operational efficiency of government agencies in a challenging environment. Potentially supports local Iraqi IT professionals through subcontracting or knowledge transfer.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in and reduced flexibility.
Operating in Iraq presents inherent security and logistical risks that could impact performance.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure can be a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and competitive pricing.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a large, established IT firm like General Dynamics suggests a higher likelihood of successful execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on website development, maintenance, and support. The market for such services is vast, encompassing everything from basic web hosting to complex enterprise solutions. Given the specialized nature of operating in a foreign theater like Iraq, this contract likely represents a niche within the larger IT services market, requiring expertise in secure communications, localized content, and potentially multilingual support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals. As a large contract awarded to a major IT provider, the primary focus is likely on the prime contractor's capabilities. However, large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized tasks or as part of their broader subcontracting strategy, though the extent of this is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), responsible for ensuring contractor performance and compliance. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by limiting cost increases. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are often internal to the agency and contractor.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services
Global Information Technology Support
Website Development and Maintenance Contracts
Services for Overseas Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for operational disruptions due to security or logistical challenges in Iraq.
Long-term contract duration may limit flexibility and opportunities for future vendors.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $102.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IRAQ WEBSITE

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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $102.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-04. End: 2014-09-20.

What was the specific purpose and scope of the 'IRAQ WEBSITE'?

The specific purpose and scope of the 'IRAQ WEBSITE' contract awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. for $102.8 million between 2009 and 2014 are not fully detailed in the provided data. However, given the context of its award by the Department of Defense and its geographic focus on Iraq, it likely served as a critical platform for disseminating information related to U.S. military and diplomatic operations in the region. This could have included public affairs content, operational updates, resources for personnel, or communication channels for various stakeholders. The duration and value suggest a comprehensive and sustained effort to maintain a significant online presence and information hub in a complex operational environment.

How does the $102.8 million contract value compare to similar IT services contracts for overseas operations?

Comparing the $102.8 million contract value requires context regarding the specific services rendered and the operational environment. Contracts for IT services in high-risk or remote overseas locations often command higher prices due to increased logistical, security, and personnel support costs. For instance, establishing and maintaining secure communication networks, providing robust cybersecurity, and ensuring continuous uptime in a theater like Iraq can be significantly more expensive than similar services provided domestically. While $102.8 million over approximately five years is substantial, it may be within the expected range for such specialized, long-term support, especially when considering the complexities and risks associated with operating in Iraq during that period. Further analysis would involve benchmarking against contracts for similar scope and duration in comparable geopolitical environments.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for the 'IRAQ WEBSITE' contract. Typically, for IT services contracts, especially those involving public-facing websites or operational support, KPIs might include website uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% uptime), response times for content updates, security vulnerability remediation rates, user satisfaction surveys (if applicable), and adherence to content accuracy and timeliness standards. For a contract supporting operations in Iraq, additional metrics could relate to the security of the platform and the reliability of information dissemination under challenging conditions. The fixed-price nature suggests that meeting defined service levels would be crucial for the contractor to achieve profitability.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with similar government contracts, particularly in overseas environments?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, has a long and extensive track record of providing IT services to the U.S. government, including significant support for defense and intelligence agencies in complex overseas environments. They have historically been awarded large, multi-year contracts for a wide range of services, including network operations, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and mission support. Their experience in supporting operations in regions like Iraq and Afghanistan is well-documented through numerous contract awards. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, GDIT's continued success in securing substantial government contracts, particularly in challenging operational theaters, suggests a generally positive track record and established capability in meeting government requirements.

Were there any notable challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided summary data does not contain information about specific challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this 'IRAQ WEBSITE' contract. Government contract performance can face various hurdles, including changing requirements, security threats, logistical difficulties in overseas locations, and contractor performance issues. Without access to contract performance reports, Inspector General audits, or agency-specific evaluations, it is impossible to identify any notable problems. However, given the operational context of Iraq during the contract period (2009-2014), it is plausible that the contractor navigated significant security and logistical challenges to maintain the website's functionality and accessibility.

How did the number of bidders (9) influence the final contract price and terms?

A substantial number of bidders, such as the 9 companies that competed for this contract, generally leads to more competitive pricing. When multiple firms vie for an award, they are incentivized to offer their best possible pricing and terms to secure the contract. This increased competition helps the government achieve better value for its money by driving down the price closer to the contractors' cost plus a reasonable profit margin. In this case, the full and open competition with 9 bidders suggests that the government likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in a more favorable final price and contract terms than if there had been fewer bidders or a sole-source award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: H9222209R0003

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

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: $108,736,083

Exercised Options: $102,876,879

Current Obligation: $102,876,879

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline