HHS awarded $15.6M for administrative management consulting, with General Dynamics IT as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,597,317 ($15.6M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-08-19

End Date: 2010-09-21

Contract Duration: 1,859 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::75 1503::TAS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TAS::75 1503::TAS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of administrative management consulting services. 2. Competition dynamics for this delivery order were not fully detailed, but the contract type suggests a competitive environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the contract's age and the nature of consulting services. 4. Performance context is limited without specific task order details, but the duration suggests ongoing support. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative and management consulting, a common area for federal support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.6 million over approximately five years for administrative management consulting services appears to be within a reasonable range for the federal sector. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without specific details on the services rendered and their impact, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the overall expenditure is not an outlier for this type of support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates this was a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' but does not specify the number of bidders or the specific competition method used. Delivery orders under larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts can vary in their competitive nature. If it was a full and open competition among multiple bidders, it likely resulted in better price discovery. However, if it was competed among a limited pool of pre-qualified vendors, the price advantage might be less pronounced. Further details on the solicitation process are needed for a complete assessment.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition generally leads to lower prices and better quality services, ensuring that federal funds are used more efficiently. A less competitive award could mean taxpayers paid a premium for the services received.

Public Impact

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS is the primary beneficiary, receiving support for its administrative functions. Services delivered likely include general management consulting, administrative support, and potentially process improvement initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, where HHS headquarters and administrative offices are located. Workforce implications are indirect, supporting the efficiency of federal administrative staff rather than directly creating new federal jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond initial projections.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical administrative functions.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and outcomes without further data.
Contract awarded in 2005, indicating potential for outdated service delivery methods if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a large, established federal contractor with a significant presence.
The competitive nature of the award, even if details are sparse, suggests an attempt at market-based pricing.
Long contract duration implies a sustained need and potentially successful service delivery over time.
The contract falls under administrative management, a core function supporting agency operations.
The contract was a delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger, potentially pre-vetted framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This is a significant market for federal spending, supporting a wide array of agency functions from IT to human resources and strategic planning. The total federal spending in this category is in the tens of billions annually. General Dynamics Information Technology is a major player in this space, competing with numerous other large and small businesses for government contracts. This specific contract represents a small fraction of the overall federal consulting spend.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). General Dynamics Information Technology is a large business. While this specific award did not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside, large federal contracts often include subcontracting requirements. It is possible that portions of this work were subcontracted to small businesses, contributing to the small business ecosystem. However, without explicit subcontracting data, this remains speculative.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
IT Professional Services
Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Services
Professional Services

Risk Flags

Contract Age
Time and Materials Pricing
Limited Competition Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TAS::75 1503::TAS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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 (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-19. End: 2010-09-21.

What specific administrative management and general management consulting services were provided under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 541611, which covers Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. These services typically encompass a broad range of support for federal agencies, including strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, performance management, and general administrative support. Without access to the specific contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders, the precise nature of the services rendered by General Dynamics Information Technology remains unspecified. However, based on the NAICS code and the awarding agency (HHS), it is reasonable to infer that the services were aimed at enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of HHS's administrative functions, potentially supporting areas like human resources, financial management, or program administration.

How does the $15.6 million contract value compare to similar administrative consulting contracts awarded by HHS or other federal agencies?

The $15.6 million contract value awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology for administrative management consulting services over a period of approximately five years (August 2005 to September 2010) represents an average annual expenditure of roughly $3.1 million. This figure is moderate within the context of federal consulting contracts. Large agencies like HHS frequently award contracts in the multi-million dollar range for comprehensive management and administrative support. Benchmarking this against similar contracts would require analyzing awards with the same NAICS code (541611) and similar durations across different agencies. However, given the scale of HHS, this expenditure is not unusually high and suggests a sustained, significant engagement for consulting services.

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

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for administrative management and general management consulting services, KPIs would be established within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and task orders. These might include metrics related to process efficiency improvements (e.g., reduction in processing times), cost savings achieved, successful implementation of new administrative procedures, client satisfaction surveys, adherence to project timelines, and the quality of deliverables (reports, analyses, recommendations). The effectiveness of the contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, would be assessed against these predefined benchmarks throughout the contract's performance period.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) in delivering similar federal consulting services?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), now part of General Dynamics, has a long and extensive track record of delivering a wide array of IT and professional services to the federal government, including administrative management and consulting. They are a major federal contractor with significant experience across numerous agencies, including Health and Human Services (HHS). Their portfolio often includes large-scale IT modernization, cybersecurity, cloud services, and management consulting. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, GDIT's sustained presence and continued awards suggest a generally reliable performance history. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced challenges or criticisms on specific projects, which would require deeper investigation into individual contract performance reports.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this contract?

Information regarding specific challenges or disputes encountered during the performance of this particular contract (awarded August 2005, ending September 2010) is not readily available in the provided summary data. Federal contract performance can sometimes involve issues such as scope disagreements, schedule delays, or quality concerns. Resolution of such issues can range from informal discussions to formal contract disputes. Without access to contract performance reports, agency evaluations, or any public records of disputes, it is impossible to ascertain if any significant challenges arose during the execution of this $15.6 million award to General Dynamics Information Technology.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure potentially impact cost control for this contract?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used for this contract (pt: TIME AND MATERIALS) allows the contractor to bill for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials used. While T&M contracts offer flexibility and can be useful when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset, they carry inherent risks for cost control. The government pays for the time and materials consumed, which can lead to higher costs if the work is inefficient or if the scope expands without adequate oversight. Effective cost control under a T&M contract relies heavily on robust government oversight, detailed monitoring of labor hours and material costs, and clear definition and management of the work effort to prevent scope creep and ensure efficient performance by the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,597,317

Exercised Options: $15,597,317

Current Obligation: $15,597,317

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F8049H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline