DHS awards $26.5M to General Dynamics for chemical and nuclear preparedness support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,510,750 ($26.5M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-09-26

End Date: 2012-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,830 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS PR IS FOR THE PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR PREPAREDNESS AND PROTECTION DIVISION.

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: THIS PR IS FOR THE PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR PREPAREDNESS AND PROTECTION DIVISION. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential programmatic and technical support for critical preparedness and protection initiatives. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. has secured this significant award, indicating a strong existing relationship or competitive advantage. 3. The contract duration of 1830 days suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code points to a focus on strategic planning and operational efficiency. 5. This award falls under the 'Time and Materials' contract type, which can pose cost control challenges if not closely managed. 6. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting multiple bids were considered.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $26.5 million over approximately five years for programmatic and technical support in chemical and nuclear preparedness appears reasonable given the critical nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government support contracts for specialized divisions like this is challenging without more granular data on the specific tasks performed. However, the duration and scope suggest a significant investment in maintaining national security readiness. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.

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 contract vehicle, likely allowing for multiple bidders to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competitive, the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with a moderate number of bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price competition and encouraging contractors to offer their best value.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) benefits through enhanced programmatic and technical support for its Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness and Protection Division. The services delivered are crucial for maintaining national readiness against chemical and nuclear threats. The geographic impact is national, as preparedness and protection efforts span across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled professionals in management consulting and technical program support to be engaged through General Dynamics Information Technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Time and Materials' contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored for efficiency.
The specific deliverables and performance metrics need to be clearly defined and tracked to ensure value for money.
Reliance on a single contractor for such a critical support function warrants robust oversight to mitigate any potential single points of failure.

Positive Signals

The award was made through a competitive process, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.
The contract duration suggests a stable and predictable need for these services, allowing for focused program development.
General Dynamics Information Technology is a large, established contractor with a significant presence in government IT and support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The market for such services supporting federal agencies, particularly in areas of national security and preparedness, is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar programmatic and technical support functions within DHS and other agencies focused on emergency management and response. The $26.5 million award over five years positions it as a significant contract within its niche.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside for this specific contract (ss: false, sb: false). While General Dynamics Information Technology is a large business, there may be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the scope of this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent to which the prime contractor utilizes small business subcontractors for specialized services or support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to defined deliverables and timelines. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness Programs
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Support Contracts
Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration Support
Department of Defense Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Potential for scope creep in programmatic and technical support services.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. THIS PR IS FOR THE PROGRAMMATIC AND TECHNICAL PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE CHEMICAL AND NUCLEAR PREPAREDNESS AND PROTECTION DIVISION.

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 (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-26. End: 2012-09-29.

What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this contract, and how do they contribute to the division's mission?

The contract is for 'Programmatic and Technical Program Support' for the Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness and Protection Division. This likely encompasses a range of activities such as strategic planning, policy development, operational analysis, risk assessment, coordination of interagency efforts, and technical assistance related to chemical and nuclear threats. These services are fundamental to ensuring the division can effectively plan, equip, train, and exercise to protect the nation from these specific hazards. The support helps translate high-level policy into actionable programs and provides the technical expertise needed to manage complex preparedness initiatives.

How does the $26.5 million total value compare to similar contracts for preparedness support within DHS or other agencies?

Directly comparing the $26.5 million value requires access to proprietary contract databases and detailed scope analysis. However, for large federal agencies like DHS, contracts supporting critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, and national security readiness often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. This $26.5 million award for a specialized division's programmatic and technical support over five years appears to be within a typical range for significant, long-term federal support contracts. It suggests a substantial and ongoing requirement for expert assistance in this vital area.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of General Dynamics Information Technology under this contract?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for programmatic and technical support contracts include timely delivery of reports and analyses, successful coordination of interagency meetings, development and implementation of strategic plans, effectiveness of technical recommendations, and overall contribution to the division's preparedness goals. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would outline these specific metrics, along with associated quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs) to monitor contractor performance and ensure objectives are met.

What is the historical spending pattern for programmatic and technical support within the Chemical and Nuclear Preparedness and Protection Division prior to this award?

Analyzing historical spending patterns would require accessing historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS-NG). Without that data, it's difficult to provide a precise historical context. However, the award of a $26.5 million, five-year contract suggests a consistent and significant need for these services. Agencies typically award multi-year contracts to ensure continuity for critical functions. If previous contracts existed for similar support, their values and durations would offer insight into the division's sustained investment in these capabilities.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for this specific service, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or profit. This can be exacerbated if work is inefficient or scope creep occurs. Mitigation strategies employed by the government include robust oversight by contracting officers and technical monitors, clearly defined ceilings on labor hours and total contract value, detailed reporting requirements, and performance standards that incentivize efficiency. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to ensure value.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSHQDC-07-Q-00126

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sterling Parent Inc. (UEI: 968838909)

Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,707,958

Exercised Options: $26,510,750

Current Obligation: $26,510,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9806H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline