General Dynamics IT awarded $21.8M contract for USCIS data center migration, highlighting IT infrastructure modernization needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,836,620 ($21.8M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2010-07-09

End Date: 2015-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,001 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: USCIS PRIMARY MAINFRAME - USCIS DATA CENTER MIGRATION

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, COLLIN County, TEXAS, 75248

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $21.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: USCIS PRIMARY MAINFRAME - USCIS DATA CENTER MIGRATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $21.8 million for data center migration suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which can lead to better pricing. 3. The duration of the contract (2001 days) points to a long-term project, requiring sustained management and oversight. 4. The focus on Computer Facilities Management Services (NAICS 541513) aligns with critical government IT operational needs. 5. The contract's completion date in late 2015 places it within a period of ongoing federal IT modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.8 million for a data center migration appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT infrastructure projects would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. However, without specific details on the services rendered and the complexity of the migration, a definitive value-for-money judgment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and market responsiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process for this contract likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

USCIS benefits from modernized data center facilities, improving the efficiency and reliability of its IT systems. The contract supports the delivery of essential IT infrastructure management services for a key component of the Department of Homeland Security. The primary geographic impact is likely within Texas, where the contract was managed or executed. The contract supports IT professionals and potentially other roles involved in data center operations and migration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term IT infrastructure projects if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market engagement and potential for competitive pricing.
Awarded to a well-established IT services provider (General Dynamics Information Technology).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on data center management and migration. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing digital transformation and the need for secure, efficient IT infrastructure. Government spending in this area is significant, with agencies continually seeking to modernize legacy systems and consolidate data centers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large federal data center consolidation or migration projects.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless General Dynamics Information Technology engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The firm fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost certainty. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and technical points of contact within USCIS or DHS. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

USCIS IT Modernization Programs
DHS Data Center Consolidation Initiatives
Federal Cloud Computing Strategy Implementation
IT Infrastructure Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $21.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. USCIS PRIMARY MAINFRAME - USCIS DATA CENTER MIGRATION

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 $21.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-09. End: 2015-12-31.

What was the specific scope of the USCIS data center migration, and what were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'USCIS PRIMARY MAINFRAME - USCIS DATA CENTER MIGRATION' under 'Computer Facilities Management Services'. The specific scope would likely encompass the planning, execution, and validation of migrating USCIS's primary mainframe operations from an existing data center to a new or consolidated facility. This could involve hardware and software relocation, network reconfiguration, data transfer, system testing, and decommissioning of the old site. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would typically focus on successful data transfer, minimal downtime during migration, system performance post-migration, adherence to security protocols, and completion within the defined schedule and budget. Without access to the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance reports, these details remain inferred.

How does the $21.8 million contract value compare to other federal data center migration projects of similar scale and complexity?

Benchmarking the $21.8 million contract value requires comparing it to similar federal data center migration projects. Large-scale migrations, especially those involving mainframes and critical government systems like those at USCIS, are complex and costly. Factors influencing cost include the amount of data, the number of applications, the required downtime tolerance, security requirements, and the geographic distance of the migration. While $21.8 million over approximately five years (2010-2015) suggests a significant undertaking, it's crucial to compare it against projects with comparable scope, duration, and criticality. For instance, other DHS or agency-wide data center consolidation efforts might offer relevant benchmarks. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value, but it falls within the expected range for substantial IT infrastructure projects.

What were the primary risks associated with this data center migration contract, and how were they mitigated?

Data center migrations inherently carry significant risks, including potential data loss or corruption during transfer, extended system downtime impacting critical government services, cybersecurity vulnerabilities during the transition, and cost overruns. For this USCIS contract, risks might have included the complexity of migrating legacy mainframe systems, ensuring seamless integration with existing or new infrastructure, and maintaining operational continuity for sensitive immigration services. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous planning, phased migration approaches, comprehensive testing (including disaster recovery and business continuity testing), robust cybersecurity measures throughout the process, and strong project management with clear communication channels. The firm fixed-price contract structure also incentivizes the contractor to manage cost-related risks effectively.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) in managing large-scale federal IT infrastructure projects, particularly data center migrations?

General Dynamics Information Technology (now part of General Dynamics) has a long history of managing complex IT infrastructure projects for various federal agencies. They have been involved in numerous large-scale contracts encompassing IT services, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and data center operations. Their experience often includes supporting mission-critical systems for defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. For data center migrations specifically, GDIT has undertaken projects involving consolidation, modernization, and relocation of IT facilities. Their track record generally indicates a capability to handle the technical and logistical challenges associated with such endeavors, often performing under large, multi-year contracts. However, specific performance details and customer satisfaction metrics for individual projects like this USCIS migration would require deeper investigation into past performance evaluations.

How did the choice of 'Computer Facilities Management Services' (NAICS 541513) influence the contract's execution and outcomes?

The selection of NAICS code 541513, 'Computer Facilities Management Services,' defines the primary scope of work for this contract. This classification typically covers services related to the operation and management of clients' computer systems and/or data facilities on-site or remotely. For a data center migration, this would encompass the physical and operational aspects of managing the computing environment during and after the move. It implies a focus on infrastructure, hardware, network connectivity, environmental controls (power, cooling), and the day-to-day operational support required to keep the data center functioning. This specific classification helps ensure that the contractor's expertise aligns with the core needs of maintaining and migrating complex IT facilities, rather than broader IT consulting or software development.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $21,836,620

Exercised Options: $21,836,620

Current Obligation: $21,836,620

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline