DHS's $22M IT contract for Trusted Traveler Program services awarded to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,019,828 ($22.0M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2011-09-24

End Date: 2011-09-24

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20706

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAM Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT infrastructure management for a critical homeland security program. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract's duration and specific services warrant scrutiny for long-term value. 4. Performance context is key to understanding the effectiveness of IT support for traveler screening. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $22 million contract requires more detailed service breakdowns and performance metrics. Without specific deliverables or comparable contracts for similar IT facilities management within homeland security, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The time and materials pricing model can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not tightly managed, suggesting a need for vigilant oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.

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 approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for these IT facilities management services is robust.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, thereby maximizing the value of federal spending.

Public Impact

Benefits travelers by ensuring the smooth operation of the Trusted Traveler Program. Services delivered include computer facilities management, crucial for program uptime. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting the program's reach. Workforce implications may involve IT specialists supporting the program's infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation under a time and materials contract if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Supports a high-profile program (Trusted Traveler Program) critical for national security and efficient travel.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT facilities management services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in infrastructure to support a wide range of operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other contracts for IT support and maintenance within federal agencies, particularly those managing large-scale citizen-facing programs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess this impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Trusted Traveler Program
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection IT Services
Federal Computer Facilities Management Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing Model
Potential for Cost Overruns
Dependence on Single Contractor for Critical Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAM

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 Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-24. End: 2011-09-24.

What is the specific scope of 'Computer Facilities Management Services' under this contract?

The 'Computer Facilities Management Services' under this contract likely encompass a range of IT infrastructure support activities. This typically includes the maintenance, operation, and management of data centers, servers, network equipment, and related hardware. It may also involve system monitoring, performance tuning, hardware and software installation, patching, and ensuring the physical security and environmental controls of IT facilities. For the Trusted Traveler Program, these services are critical for maintaining the databases, application servers, and network connectivity required for processing traveler applications and facilitating border crossings efficiently and securely. The exact deliverables would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the $22 million award compare to similar IT facilities management contracts within DHS or CBP?

Comparing this $22 million award requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. However, for a program like the Trusted Traveler Program, which involves significant data processing and nationwide operations, an IT facilities management contract in this range is plausible. Federal agencies often spend tens to hundreds of millions on IT infrastructure and support annually. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar scope (facilities management), service type (IT infrastructure), and agency (DHS/CBP) over comparable periods. Factors like contract duration, specific service level agreements (SLAs), and the complexity of the systems managed would influence the benchmark value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate General Dynamics Information Technology's performance on this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for an IT facilities management contract like this typically focus on system availability, response times, incident resolution rates, and adherence to security protocols. For the Trusted Traveler Program, critical KPIs might include uptime percentages for application servers and databases, the time taken to resolve system outages or performance degradations, and the successful implementation of security patches and updates. Performance would likely be measured against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in penalties or impact future contract awards.

What is the historical spending trend for IT facilities management services related to the Trusted Traveler Program?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT facilities management related to the Trusted Traveler Program would require examining contract data over several years. This specific contract, awarded in 2011, represents a snapshot. To understand the trend, one would look at prior contracts for similar services, their values, and durations, as well as any subsequent contracts awarded after this one. An increasing trend might indicate growing program needs or rising costs, while a stable or decreasing trend could suggest efficiency gains or a shift in service delivery models. Understanding this history provides context for the $22 million award.

What are the potential risks associated with General Dynamics Information Technology's track record in managing large federal IT contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has a long history of managing large federal IT contracts across various agencies. Potential risks associated with their track record, as with any large contractor, can include past performance issues on other contracts, such as cost overruns, schedule delays, or failure to meet performance standards. However, GDIT is also a major player with significant resources and experience. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing specific past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and their demonstrated ability to manage complex IT infrastructure and cybersecurity requirements relevant to a program like the Trusted Traveler Program.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 4151 LAFAYETTE CENTER DR STE 700, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,019,828

Exercised Options: $22,019,828

Current Obligation: $22,019,828

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline