DoD's $21.25M Geospatial System Contract with GFT Infrastructure Raises Questions on Value and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,254,433 ($21.3M)

Contractor: GFT Infrastructure, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-08-10

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,512 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TRANSPORTATION GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, SAINT CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.3 million to GFT INFRASTRUCTURE, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TRANSPORTATION GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM Key points: 1. The contract awarded to GFT Infrastructure, Inc. for custom computer programming services is substantial at over $21 million. 2. Full and open competition was cited, but the specific pricing and per-unit costs are not detailed, making value assessment difficult. 3. The contract duration of 1512 days (over 4 years) suggests a significant, long-term need for these services. 4. The lack of small business participation is noted, potentially limiting broader economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's total value is $21.25 million over approximately four years. Without detailed breakdowns of services rendered or specific deliverables, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against similar custom computer programming services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition. However, the provided data does not offer insights into the number of bids received or the evaluation process, which are crucial for understanding the effectiveness of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant expenditure of over $21 million represents a considerable use of taxpayer funds. Ensuring competitive pricing and efficient service delivery is paramount to maximizing the value for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Taxpayers are funding a large-scale IT system for the Department of Defense. The contract supports custom computer programming, indicating a need for specialized software development. The duration suggests ongoing reliance on this system for geospatial information. The absence of small business involvement might mean missed opportunities for smaller, innovative firms.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Limited insight into competition effectiveness
No small business participation

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Addresses a critical DoD need for geospatial data

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area for the Department of Defense is typically high, driven by complex operational and intelligence requirements. Benchmarks for similar contracts are difficult to ascertain without more granular data on service scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, GFT Infrastructure, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for subcontracting to small businesses may have been limited or not pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense (DoD) through USTRANSCOM. Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract performance monitoring, financial audits, and compliance checks to ensure the contractor meets requirements and manages funds appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Defense Contracting
USTRANSCOM Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders value assessment.
Limited transparency on the effectiveness of the 'full and open competition'.
No apparent participation from small businesses.
Long contract duration without clear performance milestones.
Potential for cost overruns in a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.3 million to GFT INFRASTRUCTURE, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF TRANSPORTATION GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GFT INFRASTRUCTURE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-08-10. End: 2019-09-30.

What specific geospatial capabilities does this system provide, and how do they align with USTRANSCOM's mission requirements?

The system likely provides advanced mapping, data visualization, and analysis tools crucial for military logistics and operational planning. Its alignment with USTRANSCOM's mission would depend on its ability to support strategic deployment, resource management, and real-time situational awareness in complex environments.

Given the 'full and open competition' designation, what was the competitive landscape like, and how was the winning bid determined to be the best value?

While designated as 'full and open,' further details are needed on the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria. Understanding if the award was based solely on the lowest price or a combination of technical merit and cost would clarify the price discovery process and ensure the government secured the best possible value.

What is the projected return on investment or efficiency gain expected from this $21.25 million geospatial information system?

Quantifying the ROI or efficiency gains is challenging without specific performance metrics. However, such systems typically aim to improve decision-making speed, reduce logistical errors, optimize resource allocation, and enhance situational awareness, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved operational effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HTC71114RD018

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Gannett Fleming Affiliates, Inc (UEI: 028119915)

Address: 207 SENATE AVE, CAMP HILL, PA, 17011

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,454,433

Exercised Options: $21,254,433

Current Obligation: $21,254,433

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline