Northrop Grumman's $42M GCCS-J contract supports critical DoD C2 capabilities for battlespace awareness
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,083,485 ($42.1M)
Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-08-07
End Date: 2019-01-06
Contract Duration: 517 days
Daily Burn Rate: $81.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF GCCS-J IS A MAJOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INVESTMENT DESIGNATED AS AN ACQUISITION CATEGORY I (ACI) MAJOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM (MAIS) PROGRAM. THE GCCS-J IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) JOINT COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) SYSTEM OF RECORD FOR ACHIEVING FULL SPECTRUM DOMINANCE. GCCS-J IS A SUITE OF MISSION APPLICATIONS THAT PROVIDES CRITICAL JOINT WARFIGHTING C2 CAPABILITIES AND IS THE PRINCIPAL FOUNDATION FOR DOMINANT BATTLESPACE AWARENESS, PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED, NEAR REAL-TIME PICTURE OF THE BATTLESPACE NECESSARY TO CONDUCT JOINT AND MULTINATIONAL OPERATIONS. GCCS-J PROVIDES A ROBUST AND SEAMLESS C2 CAPABILITY TO THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF (CINC), SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (SECDEF), NATIONAL MILITARY COMMAND CENTER (NMCC), COMBATANT COMMANDERS (CDRS), JOINT FORCE COMMANDERS, AND SERVICE COMPONENT COMMANDERS. GCCS-J OFFERS VITAL CONNECTIVITY TO THE SYSTEMS THE JOINT WARFIGHTER USES TO PLAN, EXECUTE, AND MANAGE MILITARY OPERATIONS.
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $42.1 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF GCCS-J IS A MAJOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INVESTMENT DESIGNATED AS AN ACQUISITION CATEGORY I (ACI) MAJOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM (MAIS) PROGRAM. THE GCCS-J IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) JOINT COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) SYSTEM OF RECORD FOR ACHIEVING FULL… Key points: 1. The contract supports the Global Command and Control System-Joint (GCCS-J), a major IT investment for the DoD. 2. GCCS-J is designated as an Acquisition Category I (ACAT I) Major Automated Information System (MAIS) program. 3. This system provides essential joint warfighting command and control (C2) capabilities. 4. It is the principal foundation for dominant battlespace awareness, enabling integrated, near real-time operational pictures. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 7. The contract duration is 517 days, indicating a medium-term project.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $42 million for a 517-day period for a major IT system like GCCS-J appears reasonable. GCCS-J is a critical component of the DoD's C2 infrastructure, and its development and sustainment are complex. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT system development contracts within the DoD would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the system's strategic importance and the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract, the pricing is likely competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically suggests a robust bidding process with multiple potential offerors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive environment that should drive price discovery and potentially lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better value for the government's investment in critical systems like GCCS-J.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense (DoD) warfighters and commanders who rely on GCCS-J for critical command and control. The services delivered include the development, integration, and sustainment of a major IT system essential for joint operations. The geographic impact is global, as GCCS-J supports DoD operations worldwide. Workforce implications include roles for IT professionals, software developers, systems engineers, and project managers involved in the system's lifecycle.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs, despite the firm-fixed-price contract.
- Dependence on contractor's technical expertise and performance for system availability and functionality.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with a critical IT system handling sensitive operational data.
- Integration challenges with other DoD systems and future technological advancements.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
- GCCS-J is a designated ACAT I MAIS program, indicating significant program oversight and management attention.
- Northrop Grumman is a major defense contractor with extensive experience in complex IT systems.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on command and control (C2) systems for defense applications. The market for large-scale defense IT systems is dominated by a few major contractors, including Northrop Grumman. GCCS-J is a foundational system for the DoD, and spending on such critical infrastructure is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other major C2 system development and sustainment contracts within the DoD and allied nations.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large-scale IT acquisition for a major defense system, it is likely that the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman, would manage subcontracting opportunities. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
As an ACAT I MAIS program, GCCS-J is subject to rigorous oversight from the Department of Defense, including program management reviews, milestone tracking, and potentially oversight from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Inspector General (IG). The firm-fixed-price contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the total cost. Transparency is generally maintained through program documentation and reporting requirements, though specific details may be classified.
Related Government Programs
- Joint Battle Management Command and Control (JBMC2)
- Command and Control Systems
- Defense Information Systems Network (DISN)
- Tactical Data Links
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost growth if scope expands beyond initial estimates.
- Dependency on contractor for critical system maintenance and upgrades.
- Cybersecurity vulnerabilities inherent in large IT systems.
- Integration challenges with evolving military technologies.
Tags
defense, information-technology, command-and-control, northrop-grumman, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, major-automated-information-system, acquisition-category-i, department-of-defense, defense-information-systems-agency, virginia, research-and-development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $42.1 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. IGF::CT::IGF GCCS-J IS A MAJOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INVESTMENT DESIGNATED AS AN ACQUISITION CATEGORY I (ACI) MAJOR AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEM (MAIS) PROGRAM. THE GCCS-J IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) JOINT COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) SYSTEM OF RECORD FOR ACHIEVING FULL SPECTRUM DOMINANCE. GCCS-J IS A SUITE OF MISSION APPLICATIONS THAT PROVIDES CRITICAL JOINT WARFIGHTING C2 CAPABILITIES AND IS THE PRINCIPAL FOUNDATION FOR DOMINANT BATTLESPACE AWARENESS, PROVIDING AN INTEGRATED, NEAR RE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $42.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-08-07. End: 2019-01-06.
What is the track record of Northrop Grumman in delivering large-scale IT systems for the Department of Defense?
Northrop Grumman has a long and extensive track record of delivering complex IT systems and solutions to the Department of Defense and other government agencies. They are a major defense contractor involved in numerous large-scale programs, including C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, cybersecurity solutions, and enterprise IT services. Their experience spans decades and includes developing and sustaining critical infrastructure for military operations. While specific performance metrics for individual contracts vary, their consistent presence as a prime contractor on major defense programs suggests a capability to manage complex projects, though like any large contractor, they have faced challenges and scrutiny on specific programs over time. Their involvement in GCCS-J itself indicates a recognized ability to handle such a significant and strategic system.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar major IT system development efforts within the DoD?
The contract value of approximately $42 million for a 517-day period for GCCS-J is difficult to benchmark precisely without access to detailed cost breakdowns and scope of work comparisons. However, GCCS-J is designated as an ACAT I MAIS program, signifying its high importance and complexity. Major IT system development and sustainment contracts within the DoD can range from tens of millions to billions of dollars over their lifecycle. This specific award appears to be for a defined phase or set of tasks within the broader GCCS-J program. Considering the system's critical nature and the firm-fixed-price structure, the value seems aligned with the significant investment required for such strategic defense IT infrastructure. Further analysis would require comparing it to contracts for similar C2 or battlespace awareness systems with comparable scope and duration.
What are the primary risks associated with the performance of this contract for the government?
The primary risks for the government associated with this contract revolve around contractor performance and system effectiveness. Despite the firm-fixed-price structure, there's a risk of contractor underperformance leading to delays or subpar quality, impacting the availability and reliability of GCCS-J. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities represent a significant risk, as the system handles sensitive operational data and is a potential target for adversaries. Integration challenges with evolving military technologies and other DoD systems could also pose a risk, potentially leading to obsolescence or interoperability issues. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical system sustainment can create dependencies and potential future cost escalations if competition diminishes.
How effective is GCCS-J in achieving its stated goals of providing battlespace awareness and C2 capabilities?
GCCS-J is designed to be the Department of Defense's system of record for achieving full-spectrum dominance by providing critical joint warfighting C2 capabilities and enabling dominant battlespace awareness. Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to provide an integrated, near real-time picture of the battlespace necessary for joint and multinational operations. While GCCS-J has been a cornerstone of DoD C2 for many years, its effectiveness is continuously evaluated through operational exercises, user feedback, and technological upgrades. Challenges can arise from the complexity of integrating diverse data sources, ensuring timely updates, and adapting to new threats and operational requirements. The ongoing investment and contract awards suggest its continued perceived value and necessity, though specific metrics on its real-time effectiveness in diverse operational scenarios would require access to classified operational assessments.
What are the historical spending patterns for the GCCS-J program or similar C2 systems within the DoD?
Historical spending on the GCCS-J program and similar major C2 systems within the DoD represents a significant and sustained investment over many years. GCCS-J, as an ACAT I MAIS program, has likely seen substantial funding allocated across various phases, including development, sustainment, and modernization. Total spending can accumulate into billions of dollars over the system's lifecycle. Similar large-scale C2 systems, such as those supporting naval or air operations, also represent multi-billion dollar investments. Spending patterns are influenced by evolving military strategies, technological advancements, geopolitical requirements, and budget allocations. Analyzing historical spending requires examining budget documents, program acquisition reports, and contract award databases over extended periods to understand trends, major investment cycles, and the overall cost trajectory of these critical systems.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)
Address: 2340 DULLES CORNER BLVD, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $58,007,296
Exercised Options: $45,477,160
Current Obligation: $42,083,485
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HC102808D2023
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-08-07
Current End Date: 2019-01-06
Potential End Date: 2019-01-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-07-27
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