NIH awards $14.2M for IT engineering and computing support, with General Dynamics as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,195,509 ($14.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-06-09

End Date: 2014-12-08

Contract Duration: 2,373 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: IT

Official Description: CIT- ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS OFFICE (HPCIO), DCB,CIT, NIH

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: CIT- ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS OFFICE (HPCIO), DCB,CIT, NIH Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for price discovery. 2. Duration of over 6 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. The contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a common IT support category. 4. Prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., has a significant presence in federal IT. 5. The award value is moderate for IT support services of this duration. 6. Focus on High Performance Computing and Informatics suggests specialized technical requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $14.2 million over nearly 6.5 years averages to about $2.2 million annually. This appears reasonable for specialized IT engineering and computing support, especially within a research-intensive environment like the NIH. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-performance computing support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment, but the duration and scope suggest a fair price point.

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 a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle allowing for multiple awards. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, fostering a competitive environment. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature generally leads to better pricing and service options for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Researchers and scientists at the NIH benefit from reliable and advanced computing infrastructure. The contract supports the High Performance Computing and Informatics Office (HPCIO) at NIH. Services delivered include engineering and computing support, crucial for data analysis and research. Geographic impact is primarily within the NIH facilities in Virginia. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT professionals in high-performance computing.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk.
Ensuring continued access to cutting-edge technology may require proactive contract management.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests a healthy market for these services.
Long contract duration provides stability for service delivery and planning.
Prime contractor has a strong track record in federal IT services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive. This contract for computer systems design services falls within the broader IT support and infrastructure management market. The High Performance Computing and Informatics Office (HPCIO) at NIH likely requires specialized expertise, placing this contract in a niche but critical segment of the IT services industry. Spending on IT support services by federal agencies is substantial, with significant portions allocated to system design, integration, and maintenance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the contract, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. The contract's performance would be monitored against established deliverables and service level agreements. Inspector General oversight may apply depending on the specific circumstances and any reported issues. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

NIH IT Support Contracts
High Performance Computing Services
General Dynamics IT Federal Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence if not managed.
Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on work is not competitively bid.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. CIT- ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS OFFICE (HPCIO), DCB,CIT, NIH

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 $14.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-06-09. End: 2014-12-08.

What is the specific nature of the 'engineering and computing support' provided under this contract?

The contract, "CIT- ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING AND INFORMATICS OFFICE (HPCIO), DCB,CIT, NIH," indicates a focus on specialized IT services. This likely includes tasks such as designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, managing complex computational environments, providing technical support for scientific research applications, and potentially developing custom software or solutions to meet the unique informatics needs of NIH researchers. The scope suggests support for advanced data processing, simulations, and large-scale data analysis critical for biomedical research.

How does the $14.2 million award compare to other NIH IT support contracts of similar duration?

An award of $14.2 million over approximately 6.5 years (2373 days) equates to an average annual value of roughly $2.2 million. This figure is moderate for specialized IT support within a large federal agency like the NIH. Many IT support contracts, especially those involving large-scale infrastructure or enterprise-wide solutions, can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually. The specific value of this contract is likely influenced by the niche nature of high-performance computing and informatics support, which often requires specialized expertise and resources, potentially justifying this investment for the NIH's research objectives.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance metrics for IT engineering and computing support contracts include system uptime and availability, response times for technical support requests, successful completion of project milestones, adherence to security protocols, and user satisfaction ratings from researchers and staff. For high-performance computing, metrics might also include processing speed, data throughput, and the successful execution of complex simulations or analyses. The contracting officer's representative (COR) at NIH would be responsible for monitoring these metrics against the contract's statement of work.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s track record with the NIH and similar federal agencies?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) is a major federal IT contractor with a substantial history of serving various government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its components like the National Institutes of Health (NIH). GDIT has a broad portfolio encompassing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics, and mission-critical support services. Their track record with NIH likely includes numerous contracts for IT modernization, research computing, and administrative systems. A review of federal procurement data would reveal the extent and nature of their past performance, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and potential past performance issues.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term IT support contract like this?

Long-term IT support contracts carry several potential risks. Technological obsolescence is a primary concern; the technology landscape evolves rapidly, and a contract spanning over six years might not always align with the latest advancements unless robust refresh clauses are included. Vendor lock-in is another risk, where the government becomes overly dependent on a single provider, potentially limiting future competition or flexibility. Performance degradation over time, changes in contractor priorities, or unforeseen financial instability of the contractor can also pose risks. Effective contract management, including regular performance reviews and contingency planning, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract align with the NIH's broader mission and strategic goals?

This contract directly supports the NIH's mission to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and prevent illness. High-performance computing and advanced informatics are indispensable tools for modern biomedical research, enabling complex data analysis, genomic sequencing, drug discovery simulations, and the management of vast research datasets. By providing robust engineering and computing support, this contract empowers NIH researchers to accelerate scientific discovery and address critical public health challenges, aligning perfectly with the agency's strategic objectives.

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: 1

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (3)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Csra LLC (UEI: 080011988)

Address: 15036 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,695,509

Exercised Options: $14,195,509

Current Obligation: $14,195,509

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4594G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline