DoD Awards $70.8M Contract for TBI Research Support to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,785,236 ($70.8M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-09-07

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 1,325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE 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 $70.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. for TBI research support. 2. The contract has a value of $70.8 million and runs through April 2026. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee. This structure can be effective for research and development where costs are uncertain, but requires careful oversight to manage expenses.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The $70.8 million investment aims to advance research in Traumatic Brain Injury, potentially leading to improved treatments and outcomes for service members and veterans, representing a significant investment in health and well-being.

Public Impact

Supports critical research into Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a significant concern for military personnel. Aims to improve understanding and treatment of TBI, potentially benefiting veterans and active-duty members. The contract's duration and value indicate a substantial commitment to TBI research by the Department of Defense.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed properly.
Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in research and support services over the contract's duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, promoting market fairness.
Focus on a critical health area (TBI) for military personnel.
Long-term contract duration suggests sustained effort and commitment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. Spending in this sector is common across government agencies for specialized expertise. The value is moderate for a multi-year federal contract in this domain.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business. There is no explicit mention of small business participation or subcontracting goals in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract awarded by the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers within the Defense Health Agency ensuring adherence to contract terms, deliverables, and budget. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Health Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Large business awardee, potential for limited small business subcontracting.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for scope creep in research and support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $70.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE 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 $70.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-07. End: 2026-04-24.

What specific research areas or support functions will this contract cover, and how do they align with current TBI research priorities?

The contract is for 'Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence Research and Support Services.' While specific research areas aren't detailed, it likely encompasses a range of activities from data analysis and literature reviews to logistical support for research initiatives and potentially direct research assistance. Alignment with TBI priorities would depend on the specific task orders issued under this contract, which are not provided here.

How will the effectiveness of the research and support services be measured to ensure taxpayer value?

Effectiveness measurement would typically involve key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to research milestones, quality of support provided, and adherence to timelines and budget. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, oversight focuses on managing costs while ensuring the contractor meets defined objectives. The specific KPIs and evaluation criteria would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance metrics.

What is the potential risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type in this context?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is that costs can escalate beyond initial projections, as the government reimburses allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This necessitates stringent oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. If not managed effectively, it could lead to higher overall spending than anticipated for the research and support services provided.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HT001422R0008

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

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: $70,785,236

Exercised Options: $70,785,236

Current Obligation: $70,785,236

Actual Outlays: $3,897,631

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $47,272,935

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline