HHS Obligates $13.7M for NIH Web Development & Operations Task Order to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,685,315 ($13.7M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-07-03

End Date: 2012-11-15

Contract Duration: 1,962 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TAS::75 0849::TAS CIT: FUNDING OBLIGATION FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONS, ANS SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $13.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 0849::TAS CIT: FUNDING OBLIGATION FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONS, ANS SUPPORT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Significant funding for IT services, specifically web development and operations. 2. Contract awarded to a large, established IT provider. 3. Long contract duration (5+ years) suggests ongoing need. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Competition method was 'Competitive Delivery Order'.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $13.7M obligation over 5 years for web development and operations appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts is necessary for a definitive assessment, but the fixed-price structure provides some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Awarded as a 'Competitive Delivery Order', indicating competition occurred, but the specific details of the competition (e.g., number of bidders, original solicitation) are not fully detailed here. This method can lead to price discovery but may be less competitive than a full and open solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT infrastructure and services supporting NIH operations. The competitive award mechanism aims to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports critical web infrastructure for the National Institutes of Health. Ensures continued operation and development of online health information resources. Funds advanced IT services, potentially impacting public access to health data. Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is lengthy, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Specific competition details are limited.
Potential for scope creep in web development projects.

Positive Signals

Competitive award mechanism used.
Firm fixed-price contract type.
Awarded to a reputable IT provider.
Supports essential government functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending benchmarks for similar federal IT contracts vary widely based on complexity and duration, but $13.7M over five years for web development and operations is a substantial investment.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., is a large business. There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were specifically included or subcontracted, which warrants further investigation if small business participation is a priority.

Oversight & Accountability

The competitive delivery order mechanism suggests some level of oversight in the award process. However, detailed oversight of task order execution, performance, and adherence to the fixed-price contract would be managed by the contracting officer and program officials at NIH.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of cost overruns or obsolescence.
Limited detail on the competitive process.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical IT functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $13.7 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TAS::75 0849::TAS CIT: FUNDING OBLIGATION FOR WEB DEVELOPMENT, OPERATIONS, ANS SUPPORT TASK ORDER

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 Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-07-03. End: 2012-11-15.

What was the competitive landscape for this delivery order, and how did the pricing compare to other bids?

The data indicates a 'Competitive Delivery Order', suggesting multiple bids were received. However, without access to the specific bid details or the original solicitation, it's difficult to assess the competitiveness or benchmark the final price against alternatives. Further analysis would require reviewing the contract file to understand the number of bidders and the price evaluation process.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how has General Dynamics IT performed against them?

The provided data does not include specific KPIs or performance metrics for this contract. Assessing performance would require accessing contract performance reports, user feedback, and potentially contractor self-reporting. Understanding performance is crucial to determine if the $13.7M obligation is yielding effective web development and operational support for NIH.

How does the total cost of ownership for this contract compare to potential alternative solutions or in-house development over the contract's lifespan?

Benchmarking the $13.7M obligation against alternative solutions or in-house development requires a detailed cost-benefit analysis. Factors like maintenance, upgrades, personnel, and potential for innovation need to be considered. Without this comparative analysis, it's challenging to definitively state if this contract represents the most cost-effective approach for NIH's web needs.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Csra LLC (UEI: 080011988)

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

Business Categories: Category Business, Hospital, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,635,664

Exercised Options: $13,685,315

Current Obligation: $13,685,315

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4594G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline