DoD's GCCS-J strategic support contract awarded to Bluestone Logic, valued at $14.3M over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,321,338 ($14.3M)

Contractor: Bluestone Logic, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-10-12

End Date: 2026-10-11

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE GLOBAL COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM-JOINT (GCCS-J) STRATEGIC ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT PROVIDES MISSION-CRITICAL STRATEGIC TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE GCCS-J PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND COMMAND AND CONTROL PORTFOLIO.

Place of Performance

Location: FORT GEORGE G MEADE, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 20755

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.3 million to BLUESTONE LOGIC, LLC for work described as: THE GLOBAL COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM-JOINT (GCCS-J) STRATEGIC ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT PROVIDES MISSION-CRITICAL STRATEGIC TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE GCCS-J PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND COMMAND AND CONTROL PORTFOLIO. Key points: 1. Contract provides mission-critical support for the GCCS-J program, essential for command and control. 2. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained support. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a previously awarded contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $14.3 million over five years for strategic engineering and technical support appears reasonable given the mission-critical nature of the GCCS-J program. Benchmarking against similar complex defense IT support contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs and provides budget predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or prior arrangements, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: While the competition was not entirely unrestricted, the inclusion of multiple bidders likely contributed to price discovery and ensured the government received competitive proposals, benefiting taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its various commands that rely on the GCCS-J system for operational command and control. Services delivered include strategic technical support, engineering, and program management assistance for the GCCS-J program. The geographic impact is likely global, as GCCS-J is a joint program supporting U.S. military operations worldwide. Workforce implications may include specialized technical and engineering roles within Bluestone Logic and potentially within the government program office.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Reliance on a single contractor for mission-critical support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty.
Long-term contract duration allows for continuity of essential services.
Award to a single contractor (Bluestone Logic) suggests they met stringent requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on command and control systems. The GCCS-J program is a cornerstone of joint military operations, requiring specialized engineering and technical expertise. Spending in this niche area is critical for maintaining operational readiness and interoperability across different military branches. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale defense IT support contracts for complex systems.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) was not a primary consideration for this specific contract award. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on Bluestone Logic's internal policies and the specific needs of the GCCS-J program, but are not explicitly mandated in the award details.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), ensuring compliance with contract terms and financial regulations. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) program office would also provide programmatic oversight. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Global Command and Control Systems
Joint Systems Engineering Support
Defense IT Infrastructure Support
Command and Control Portfolio Management

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition
Mission-critical system reliance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.3 million to BLUESTONE LOGIC, LLC. THE GLOBAL COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEM-JOINT (GCCS-J) STRATEGIC ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTRACT PROVIDES MISSION-CRITICAL STRATEGIC TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE GCCS-J PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND COMMAND AND CONTROL PORTFOLIO.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLUESTONE LOGIC, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-12. End: 2026-10-11.

What is the historical spending trend for GCCS-J strategic engineering and technical support?

Historical spending data for the GCCS-J Strategic Engineering and Technical Support contract prior to this award is not detailed in the provided information. However, the current contract's value of $14.3 million over five years suggests a consistent annual spend of approximately $2.86 million. To understand historical trends, one would need to examine previous contract awards for GCCS-J support, including any predecessor contracts or task orders under different vehicles. Analyzing these past expenditures would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and identify any significant shifts in program requirements or contractor support.

How does Bluestone Logic's track record align with the requirements of this mission-critical contract?

Bluestone Logic, LLC, has been awarded this mission-critical contract, indicating they possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities deemed sufficient by the Department of Defense. While specific details of their past performance on similar contracts are not provided, the award itself suggests a positive assessment of their track record. To further evaluate their suitability, one would typically review past performance evaluations, any awards or commendations received, and their experience with large-scale defense IT systems and command and control technologies. A thorough assessment would also consider their financial stability and capacity to handle a contract of this magnitude and importance.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how are they measured?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the GCCS-J Strategic Engineering and Technical Support contract are not publicly detailed in the provided award abstract. However, for a mission-critical system like GCCS-J, typical KPIs would likely include system availability and uptime, response times for technical support, successful implementation of system updates or modifications, and adherence to security protocols. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting from Bluestone Logic, government quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and potentially user feedback from the GCCS-J program management office and its end-users. Contractual clauses would define the metrics and acceptable performance thresholds.

What is the potential impact of 'exclusion of sources' on the overall value and innovation for this contract?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award can have a nuanced impact on value and innovation. On one hand, it might be used to ensure that only vendors with highly specialized knowledge or existing clearances relevant to GCCS-J participate, potentially leading to more tailored and efficient solutions. This can streamline the acquisition process. However, it inherently limits the pool of potential bidders, which could reduce competitive pressure on pricing and potentially stifle broader innovation that might come from a wider range of industry players. The government must carefully justify the exclusion to ensure it serves a legitimate purpose without unduly restricting competition.

How does this contract fit into the broader GCCS-J program lifecycle and future modernization efforts?

This contract for strategic engineering and technical support is integral to the ongoing lifecycle management and sustainment of the GCCS-J program. It ensures the system remains operational, secure, and capable of supporting current military needs. Furthermore, the technical expertise provided under this contract is likely crucial for advising on and potentially implementing future modernization efforts, upgrades, or integrations with newer systems. The strategic nature of the support suggests Bluestone Logic will play a role in assessing technological advancements and recommending pathways to keep GCCS-J relevant and effective in evolving operational environments.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HC104717R0001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 VERMONT AVE NW STE 350, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,499,938

Exercised Options: $16,586,051

Current Obligation: $14,321,338

Actual Outlays: $5,794,376

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC104719D2024

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline