DoD's $16.9M R&D contract with General Dynamics Mission Systems shows long-term engagement in advanced technology development
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,938,106 ($16.9M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2003-04-16
End Date: 2009-02-15
Contract Duration: 2,132 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Place of Performance
Location: MANASSAS, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 20110
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $16.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, indicating a focus on innovation. 2. The contract spans over 6 years, suggesting a sustained need for the services provided. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type implies predictable costs for the government. 4. Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources indicates a competitive process, though with specific source considerations. 5. The contract's duration and value suggest a significant investment in a particular technological area. 6. Located in Virginia, the contract supports a key defense industry hub.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of approximately $16.9 million over its duration is moderate for a long-term R&D effort. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts requires detailed technical specifications, but the firm fixed-price structure suggests cost control. The extended period of performance indicates a potentially good value if the research yields significant advancements or meets critical defense needs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific technical requirements, security clearances, or prior involvement. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion clause implies a more tailored competition than a completely unrestricted process.
Taxpayer Impact: This competition level aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities with taxpayer value by ensuring multiple qualified vendors can participate, potentially driving competitive pricing while meeting specific technical demands.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of Defense by advancing research in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Supports the development of new technologies and scientific understanding relevant to national security. Likely impacts the defense technology sector workforce through specialized R&D roles. Geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, a hub for defense contracting and R&D.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (over 6 years) could lead to scope creep or evolving requirements that may not align with initial cost estimates.
- Exclusion of sources in the competition, while potentially necessary, limits the breadth of competitive offers and could impact price optimization.
- Firm Fixed Price contracts can sometimes incentivize contractors to cut corners on quality if not rigorously overseen, though this is a general risk.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, minimizing the risk of cost overruns.
- The extended performance period suggests a stable and predictable need for the R&D services, indicating a well-defined program objective.
- Award to General Dynamics Mission Systems, a known entity in defense contracting, suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization, involving significant investment in innovation. The market for defense R&D is characterized by specialized firms, long development cycles, and substantial government funding. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific technological domain, but R&D contracts of this duration and value are common within the DoD's pursuit of technological superiority.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was likely awarded based on specialized capabilities and technical requirements that may favor larger, established defense contractors. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem in this R&D effort.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), given its role in contract administration for the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified R&D outcomes within budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract awards databases, though the specific technical details of R&D may be sensitive. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Engineering Services Contracts
- Physical Sciences Research Grants
- Life Sciences Research Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration
- Competition excluded sources
- R&D focus can have uncertain outcomes
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, research-and-development, general-dynamics-mission-systems, firm-fixed-price, definitive-contract, virginia, limited-competition, physical-sciences, engineering, life-sciences
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $16.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-04-16. End: 2009-02-15.
What specific technological advancements or research outcomes were expected from this $16.9 million R&D contract awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems?
The provided data indicates the contract (Award ID: [Not Provided]) was for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' and was awarded on April 16, 2003, with an end date of February 15, 2009. While the specific technological advancements are not detailed in the summary data, R&D contracts of this nature typically aim to explore, develop, and mature new technologies, materials, processes, or scientific understanding relevant to defense applications. Given the duration and value, it likely involved significant foundational research, prototyping, or feasibility studies in areas such as advanced materials, sensor technology, communication systems, or potentially biotechnologies, contributing to the DoD's long-term strategic objectives and technological superiority.
How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type influence the risk and reward for General Dynamics Mission Systems on this long-term R&D project?
A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract structure means that General Dynamics Mission Systems is obligated to complete the defined scope of work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the cost risk primarily to the contractor. For General Dynamics, the reward lies in achieving cost efficiencies; if they can complete the R&D project for less than the contract value, they retain the profit margin. Conversely, if costs exceed the fixed price, their profit is reduced, or they could incur a loss. This structure incentivizes efficient management and innovation from the contractor to control costs while meeting the R&D objectives. For the government, FFP provides cost certainty, making budgeting more predictable.
What does 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' imply about the procurement process for this contract?
The phrase 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' suggests a procurement process that initially aimed for broad competition but ultimately excluded certain potential offerors. This exclusion is typically based on specific, justifiable reasons outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), such as the need for proprietary technology, unique capabilities possessed by only a few sources, or national security concerns. While it implies more than a sole-source award, it signifies a narrower competitive pool than a completely unrestricted 'full and open' competition. The justification for excluding sources would need to be documented to ensure fairness and compliance with procurement regulations.
Considering the contract's duration (2003-2009), how might the technological landscape have evolved, potentially impacting the relevance or application of the R&D conducted?
A contract spanning from 2003 to 2009 occurred during a period of rapid technological advancement, particularly in areas like digital computing, networking, mobile technology, and data analytics. R&D initiated in 2003 might have focused on technologies that were cutting-edge then but could have been superseded or significantly altered by advancements made during the contract's performance or shortly after. The relevance of the R&D would depend on its foundational nature; research into core principles or adaptable platforms might retain relevance, while specific implementations could become obsolete. The DoD likely managed this by incorporating flexibility into the contract or initiating follow-on efforts to adapt to the evolving tech landscape.
What is the significance of the NAICS code 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) for understanding this contract's scope?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541710 provides a standardized definition for the contract's primary area of work. It signifies that the contract's objective was to conduct systematic study and investigation in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, leading to new or improved products, processes, or knowledge. This broad category encompasses a vast range of potential R&D activities, from fundamental scientific inquiry to applied research and experimental development. Understanding this code helps categorize the contract within the broader federal spending landscape and identify comparable R&D efforts across different agencies and sectors.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wico Limited
Address: 9500 INNOVATION DR, MANASSAS, VA, 20110
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-04-16
Current End Date: 2009-02-15
Potential End Date: 2009-02-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-02-03
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