DoD's DARPA Awards $21.1M for Systems Research & Application Technical Assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,162,408 ($21.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-07-01

End Date: 2009-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,887 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: 200410!000646!9700!HR0011!DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !GS23F0038L !C!N! !N!HR001104F0029! !20040701!20050630!097779698!097779698!606261683!N!SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND APPLICATI!4300 FAIR LAKES COURT !FAIRFAX !VA!22033!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000001831457!N!N!000000000000!R421!TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541611!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! !Y!B!N!N! ! ! ! ! ! !00 ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200410!000646!9700!HR0011!DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !GS23F0038L !C!N! !N!HR001104F0029! !20040701!20050630!097779698!097779698!606261683!N!SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND APPLICATI!4300 FAIR LAKES COURT !FAIRFAX !VA!22033!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for technical assistance in systems research and application. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the prime contractor. 3. The contract falls under the Engineering Services sector. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.1M over 5 years for technical assistance is within a reasonable range for specialized R&D support. However, without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary technical assistance services.

Public Impact

Supports advanced research and development initiatives within DARPA. Could lead to advancements in various technological fields. General Dynamics IT's role highlights the importance of private sector partnerships in government R&D.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Contract duration is relatively long for technical assistance.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical defense research agency (DARPA).
Contractor has a significant presence in government IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting research and development activities. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Awarded by DARPA, a high-level research agency, suggesting robust internal oversight. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for this technical assistance contract are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Long contract duration without clear milestones.
No explicit small business participation noted.
Limited insight into specific technical assistance deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200410!000646!9700!HR0011!DARPA CONTRACT MANAGEMENT DIR. !GS23F0038L !C!N! !N!HR001104F0029! !20040701!20050630!097779698!097779698!606261683!N!SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND APPLICATI!4300 FAIR LAKES COURT !FAIRFAX !VA!22033!03000!013!51!ARLINGTON !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000001831457!N!N!000000000000!R421!TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541611!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !999

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 Advanced Research Projects Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-07-01. End: 2009-08-31.

What specific technical assistance tasks were performed under this contract, and how did they contribute to DARPA's research objectives?

The contract was for 'TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE' related to 'SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND APPLICATI'. While the exact tasks are not detailed, such assistance typically involves providing expertise, analysis, and support for complex research projects. This could range from system design and integration to performance testing and documentation, directly aiding DARPA's mission to fund and oversee the development of revolutionary technologies.

How did the full and open competition process ensure the best possible price and technical solution for this systems research assistance?

Full and open competition allows multiple qualified vendors to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment. This process typically involves detailed evaluation criteria, enabling the government to compare technical capabilities, past performance, and pricing. The goal is to select the offer that provides the best overall value, ensuring that DARPA receives high-quality technical assistance at a competitive price point.

What is the long-term impact of this $21.1M contract on technological advancements and national security?

Contracts like this, supporting DARPA's advanced research, are foundational for developing next-generation technologies. The technical assistance provided likely accelerates the pace of innovation in critical areas, potentially leading to breakthroughs with significant implications for national security. The success of these R&D efforts can translate into future technological advantages for the U.S.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SRA International, Inc. (UEI: 606261683)

Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0038L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline