DoD's $110M R&D Contract for SETA Support Awarded to General Dynamics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $109,899,113 ($109.9M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-02-01
End Date: 2012-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $54.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: MDA/DEE SETA & MDSET SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $109.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. for work described as: MDA/DEE SETA & MDSET SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant investment in research and development for defense. 2. General Dynamics holds a substantial contract, indicating strong market presence. 3. Potential risks associated with sole-source or limited competition contracts. 4. The IT and R&D sectors are key areas of government spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking is difficult without more granular data on the specific services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, suggesting potential limitations in the competitive process. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers fund critical R&D for national defense. The contract supports advanced technological development within the defense sector. General Dynamics benefits from a large, long-term government contract.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D
- Awarded to established contractor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Defense spending in R&D is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, with significant annual investments across various scientific disciplines.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, which is common for large, complex defense contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense and Defense Contract Management Agency are responsible for oversight. The 'VA' status suggests it might be under specific review or management protocols, but details on accountability mechanisms are limited.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs.
- Cost-plus contract type can incentivize spending.
- Long duration increases risk of scope creep or changing requirements.
- Limited transparency on specific R&D outcomes.
- Potential for contractor lock-in.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $109.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.. MDA/DEE SETA & MDSET SUPPORT
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 Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $109.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-01. End: 2012-07-31.
What specific R&D activities were performed under this contract?
The contract description 'DEE SETA & MDSET SUPPORT' is broad. Specific R&D activities would likely involve technical support, systems engineering, and advanced development related to defense technologies. Detailed task orders would provide more clarity on the precise nature of the research and engineering efforts undertaken.
What was the justification for not competing this contract?
The justification for not competing a contract typically involves factors like the existence of a unique capability, urgent need, or specific government requirements that only one contractor can meet. Without further documentation, the exact reason for this limited competition remains unclear, but it raises questions about potential missed opportunities for cost savings.
How effectively did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure control costs for this contract?
The effectiveness of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract in controlling costs depends heavily on robust oversight and clear performance metrics. While CPFF provides flexibility for R&D, it carries inherent risks of cost overruns if the government's management and monitoring are not stringent. The final cost relative to initial estimates would indicate its success.
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: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: HQ000606R7111
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 3170 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $166,707,295
Exercised Options: $166,707,295
Current Obligation: $109,899,113
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-01
Current End Date: 2012-07-31
Potential End Date: 2012-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-08-30
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