DoD awards $2.35M contract for animal care support, raising questions on value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,349,984 ($2.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-08-24

End Date: 2026-08-23

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANIMAL CARE AND USE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USAMRDC OHARO ACURO

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: ANIMAL CARE AND USE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USAMRDC OHARO ACURO Key points: 1. Contract value appears moderate for specialized research support services. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially favorable pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a fixed-price structure mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context is within a critical defense health research mission. 5. Sector positioning is within the R&D services for life sciences. 6. Contract duration is standard for this type of service requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.35 million over three years for animal care and use support services is within a reasonable range for specialized research support. However, without specific benchmarks for the scope and intensity of services required by USAMRDC OHARO ACURO, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Comparing this to similar contracts for laboratory animal support at other research institutions would provide better context. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, but the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered will be the ultimate measure of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it is a delivery order under a larger contract suggests that the initial competition was robust. The number of bidders for this specific delivery order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. This approach is intended to ensure fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of capable contractors, leading to better service at a more competitive price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) who rely on these services for their scientific endeavors. The services delivered include essential animal care and use support, crucial for the ethical and effective conduct of biomedical research. The geographic impact is localized to the facility where the research is conducted, likely within Maryland given the 'MD' state code. Workforce implications include the direct employment of personnel by General Dynamics Information Technology to fulfill these support functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'support services' is not clearly delineated.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical animal welfare functions requires robust performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure limits the government's financial exposure.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Contract supports vital defense health research, aligning with national security objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on life sciences support services. The market for animal care and use support is specialized, often involving compliance with strict ethical and regulatory standards (e.g., Animal Welfare Act). Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within government agencies and academic institutions conducting similar biomedical research. The overall R&D services market is substantial, with significant government investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). General Dynamics Information Technology is a large business. While there are no direct subcontracting requirements specified in this snippet, large prime contractors are often encouraged or required to have small business subcontracting plans. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this prime contract were limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the relevant program managers within the Defense Health Agency and USAMRDC. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance with contract terms are key oversight functions. Given the nature of the services, adherence to animal welfare regulations and ethical guidelines would be under scrutiny. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USAMRDC Research Support Contracts
Animal Care and Use Program Support
Defense Health Agency Research Services
Biomedical Research Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for non-compliance with animal welfare regulations.
Risk of research disruption due to inadequate support services.
Contractor performance below expected standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. ANIMAL CARE AND USE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USAMRDC OHARO ACURO

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 $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-24. End: 2026-08-23.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology in providing animal care and use support services?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) is a large, established government contractor with a broad range of IT and professional services capabilities. While their primary focus is often on IT solutions, they do engage in various support services for government agencies, including research support. Specific details on their historical performance in animal care and use support services would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews. However, their extensive experience as a prime contractor suggests they have established processes for managing complex service contracts and meeting regulatory requirements. It's important to review past performance metrics, any past performance issues, and client feedback specifically related to similar service contracts to fully assess their track record in this niche area.

How does the $2.35 million contract value compare to similar animal care support contracts within the DoD or other federal agencies?

Assessing the $2.35 million contract value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services provided. This contract is for a 3-year period (1095 days). Similar contracts for animal care and use support can vary significantly based on the size of the animal facility, the types of species housed, the level of veterinary care required, and the research activities supported. For a mid-sized research facility or a specific program within a larger command like USAMRDC, $2.35 million over three years (approximately $783,000 annually) might be considered moderate. Larger, comprehensive animal vivarium management contracts could easily exceed this amount annually. Conversely, smaller, highly specialized support roles might be valued lower. Benchmarking against contracts from agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with similar research missions would provide a more robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract revolve around service quality, regulatory compliance, and potential disruptions to research. Ensuring the consistent, high-quality care of research animals is paramount, as is strict adherence to federal regulations (e.g., Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policy) and institutional protocols. A key mitigation strategy is the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently while delivering the agreed-upon services. Robust performance standards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular oversight by the government contracting officer and technical representatives are crucial for monitoring service delivery and compliance. The contractor's own quality control plan and experienced personnel are also critical risk mitigation factors. Any failure in these areas could impact research integrity and animal welfare.

What is the expected effectiveness of these animal care support services in enabling USAMRDC's research mission?

The effectiveness of these animal care support services is directly tied to their ability to ensure the health, welfare, and ethical treatment of research animals, thereby facilitating uninterrupted and reliable scientific research. High-quality support services ensure that animals are properly housed, fed, and monitored, minimizing stress and confounding variables in research outcomes. This contract's effectiveness will be measured by the contractor's ability to meet or exceed performance standards related to animal husbandry, veterinary support, facility maintenance, and compliance with all relevant regulations. Successful execution enables researchers at USAMRDC to focus on their scientific objectives, confident that the foundational animal care requirements are being met competently and ethically, ultimately contributing to advancements in military health research.

How has federal spending on animal care and use support services evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with trends?

Federal spending on animal care and use support services is generally driven by the level of biomedical research conducted across various agencies, particularly the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD). Over the past five years, there has been a continued emphasis on ethical research practices and compliance with stringent regulations, which can influence the cost and complexity of support services. Spending trends may also reflect shifts in research priorities, technological advancements in animal care, and the outsourcing of support functions to specialized contractors. This $2.35 million contract for USAMRDC appears to be a specific, targeted investment within the broader landscape of federal R&D spending. Without aggregate data on total federal spending for this specific service category, it's difficult to definitively state alignment, but it represents a component of the ongoing federal commitment to supporting critical research missions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HT942523R0081

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $5,592,097

Exercised Options: $2,576,449

Current Obligation: $2,349,984

Actual Outlays: $218,275

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU414

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline