Interior's $20.4M IT Support Contract with GDIT: A 5-Year Delivery Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,437,585 ($20.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-03-01

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SERVICES SUPPORT - GDIT

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $20.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IT SERVICES SUPPORT - GDIT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. for IT services. 2. Total value of $20.4 million over five years. 3. Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating some level of competition. 4. The sector is Information Technology, specifically computer and software stores. 5. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials contract type, while flexible, offers less price certainty compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without detailed scope of work and labor categories.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting multiple vendors were considered. However, the specific competition method and the extent of price discovery are not detailed, potentially limiting optimal price realization.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, but the Time and Materials pricing could lead to higher-than-expected costs if not managed closely.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on IT infrastructure for accessing government services, making reliable support crucial. The contract supports essential IT functions within the Department of the Interior. Long-term contracts can provide stability but may also reduce opportunities for innovation and cost savings through re-competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns.
Lack of detailed competition specifics.
Contract duration of five years may limit market responsiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded competitively.
Supports essential government functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, which is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on scope, complexity, and labor rates.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for Time and Materials contracts to ensure costs are reasonable and the scope of work is adhered to. The Department of the Interior's contracting office is responsible for this oversight.

Related Government Programs

Computer and Software Stores
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited transparency on the specifics of the competitive process.
Lack of defined performance metrics in the provided data.
Long contract duration may reduce agility and cost-saving opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $20.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IT SERVICES SUPPORT - GDIT

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 the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-01. End: 2014-03-31.

What specific IT services are covered under this contract, and how do they align with the Department of the Interior's mission objectives?

The contract data indicates 'IT SERVICES SUPPORT' but lacks specific details on the services rendered. A thorough review would involve examining the Statement of Work (SOW) to understand if the services directly contribute to the Department of the Interior's core functions, such as managing natural resources, land, and water, and if the support is critical for operational continuity and effectiveness.

How effectively was competition leveraged to ensure the best value for taxpayers, given the Time and Materials contract type?

While awarded as a competitive delivery order, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure inherently carries higher risk for cost certainty. Effective competition in a T&M scenario relies heavily on robust negotiation of labor rates and the establishment of clear ceilings. Without detailed insights into the bidding process and rate negotiations, it's difficult to definitively assess the extent to which competition secured the best value.

What mechanisms are in place to monitor and control costs under this Time and Materials contract to prevent potential overruns?

Effective cost control for T&M contracts typically involves stringent oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of labor categories and rates, and regular reviews of expenditures against established ceilings. The Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers must actively monitor performance, scope creep, and contractor invoicing to ensure costs remain within budgeted limits and deliver value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,437,585

Exercised Options: $20,437,585

Current Obligation: $20,437,585

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4357D

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline