DoD's $20.2M contract for TBI research support awarded to General Dynamics IT without competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,215,161 ($20.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-07

End Date: 2022-09-24

Contract Duration: 382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (TBICOE) RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (TBICOE) RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 2. The contract's value of over $20 million for research support services warrants scrutiny for efficiency. 3. Performance period of approximately one year suggests a need for ongoing evaluation of service delivery. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of work. 5. Awarded to a single, large contractor, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller, specialized firms. 6. The cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost control.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $20.2 million contract is challenging without detailed service breakdowns and comparable sole-source awards. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while common for research, can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. The absence of competition means there's no direct market price comparison to assess if the fixed fee adequately reflects the effort required. Further analysis of the contractor's historical performance and the specific deliverables would be needed to fully evaluate value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or resources required for the service. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices and potentially identify more innovative or cost-effective solutions from a wider pool of contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, there is less assurance that the price reflects the best possible value achievable in the market.

Public Impact

Service members and veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) are the primary beneficiaries through improved research and support services. The contract supports research and technical services aimed at understanding and mitigating the effects of TBI. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located, but the research benefits a national population of service members. The contract supports a workforce of professionals in scientific and technical fields, contributing to the defense healthcare sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing and innovation.
Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category makes specific performance assessment difficult without further detail.

Positive Signals

Award to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a known entity in government contracting, may indicate established capabilities.
Focus on Traumatic Brain Injury research addresses a critical need within the military healthcare system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically supporting research and development within the defense healthcare domain. The market for such specialized services is often dominated by a few large contractors with deep expertise and security clearances. Comparable spending in this sub-sector can vary widely based on the complexity and duration of research initiatives, but contracts in the tens of millions are not uncommon for significant R&D efforts.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to a large prime contractor like General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. suggests that the primary focus was on the prime's capabilities rather than fostering small business participation through this specific award. This could mean missed opportunities for small businesses to contribute to critical TBI research.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and potentially the Department of Defense's Inspector General. Mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to reporting requirements stipulated in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee agreement. Transparency is dependent on the agency's public disclosure policies regarding contract performance and expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Contracts
Defense Health Agency Support Services
Traumatic Brain Injury Research Programs
Professional and Technical Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Cost-plus-fixed-fee pricing
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (TBICOE) RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES

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 Health Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-07. End: 2022-09-24.

What is the specific nature of the 'research and support services' provided under this contract?

The contract data indicates the services are for the 'TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (TBICOE) RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES'. While the NAICS code (541990) is broad ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'), the specific focus on TBICOE suggests the services likely encompass a range of activities related to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Traumatic Brain Injuries within the military population. This could include data analysis, literature reviews, clinical trial support, development of best practices, and administrative support for research initiatives. Without more detailed statements of work, the precise scope remains generalized.

How does the $20.2 million contract value compare to similar TBI research support contracts within the DoD?

Directly comparing the $20.2 million value without knowing the specific deliverables and duration is difficult. However, research and development contracts within the DoD, especially those addressing critical health issues like TBI, can range significantly. Contracts for specialized research support can easily reach multi-million dollar figures, particularly if they involve extensive data analysis, multi-year studies, or the development of new methodologies. The one-year duration (from Sept 2021 to Sept 2022) for this contract suggests a substantial annual investment. Further investigation into the DHA's historical spending on TBI research would be needed for a precise benchmark.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, especially one involving research, KPIs would typically be tied to milestones, deliverables, adherence to research protocols, quality of data analysis, and timely completion of reports or studies. The effectiveness of the research itself would likely be assessed through scientific peer review and its impact on TBI treatment protocols or understanding. The contracting agency, the Defense Health Agency, would have established these metrics in the contract's Statement of Work.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s track record with similar DoD healthcare research contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a significant track record of performing IT and professional services for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, including extensive work in the healthcare sector. They have been involved in managing large health IT systems, providing data analytics, and supporting research initiatives. While specific details on their past performance on TBI-focused research contracts would require deeper research into contract databases and performance reports, GDIT's general experience suggests they possess the scale and technical capabilities to handle complex research support services for the DoD.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of service?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award include a lack of price competition, which can lead to higher costs for the government compared to a competed contract. There's also a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve efficiency beyond what is contractually required, as they face no direct threat from competitors. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create vulnerabilities if the contractor experiences performance issues, financial instability, or faces challenges in retaining key personnel. Without competition, the government also misses opportunities to discover potentially more capable or cost-effective solutions from a broader market.

How has spending on TBI research and support services evolved within the DoD over the past five years?

Spending on TBI research and support services within the DoD has generally been a priority, driven by the high prevalence of TBI among service members returning from recent conflicts. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on research priorities and funding allocations, there has been a sustained commitment to understanding and treating TBI. The DoD invests in various avenues, including intramural research, grants to external institutions, and contracts with private companies like General Dynamics IT. The overall trend indicates consistent, significant investment in this area, reflecting its importance to military readiness and veteran care.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wico Limited

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 100, 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: $20,347,845

Exercised Options: $20,347,845

Current Obligation: $20,215,161

Actual Outlays: $1,287,729

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline