DoD awards $65M for Electrical Signal Instruments, with Full and Open Competition after Source Exclusion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $65,004,153 ($65.0M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-02-11

End Date: 2009-02-16

Contract Duration: 1,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Defense

Place of Performance

Location: MANASSAS, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 20110

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $65.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. for electrical signal measuring instruments. 2. The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources', indicating a specific procurement strategy. 3. This contract represents a significant investment in defense instrumentation. 4. The 'Cost Plus Incentive Fee' structure aims to align contractor performance with government objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure suggests a focus on performance incentives. Without specific cost breakdowns or benchmarks for similar instruments, a precise value assessment is difficult. The total award amount of $65M over five years indicates a substantial investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The procurement method 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' implies that while competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery. The final award was made through a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The $65M expenditure for specialized defense instrumentation impacts taxpayer funds, with the CPIF structure aiming for efficient use of these funds through performance incentives.

Public Impact

Ensures the Department of Defense has access to critical electrical signal measuring and testing equipment. Supports advanced military operations and technological development requiring precise instrumentation. The contract's duration of over five years suggests a long-term need for these capabilities. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. plays a key role in supplying essential defense hardware.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPIF structure if not managed carefully.
  • Limited transparency on the 'exclusion of sources' rationale.
  • Dependence on a single contractor for critical instrumentation.

Positive Signals

  • Competition was ultimately pursued, suggesting an effort to obtain value.
  • Incentive fee structure encourages contractor performance.
  • Long-term contract provides supply chain stability for essential equipment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically focusing on instrument manufacturing for measuring and testing electrical signals. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological superiority and operational readiness for the military. Benchmarks are difficult without specific comparable contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award, and analysis of their participation is not applicable.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), indicating oversight. However, the specific details of oversight mechanisms and accountability for the CPIF structure are not provided in this data.

Related Government Programs

  • Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to CPIF.
  • Limited transparency on source exclusion.
  • Dependence on a single contractor.
  • Lack of detailed performance and cost data for effectiveness assessment.

Tags

instrument-manufacturing-for-measuring-a, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $65.0 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 $65.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-02-11. End: 2009-02-16.

What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources prior to the full and open competition, and how did this impact the final pricing?

The rationale for excluding specific sources prior to the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' is not detailed in the provided data. This exclusion could potentially limit the competitive landscape, possibly leading to higher prices than if all potential sources were considered from the outset. Further investigation into the justification for exclusion would be necessary to fully assess the pricing impact.

How effectively did the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure manage costs and incentivize performance for General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. over the contract's duration?

Assessing the effectiveness of the CPIF structure requires access to performance metrics, cost data, and final profit margins achieved by General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. Without this post-award data, it's impossible to determine if the incentives successfully controlled costs or drove desired performance outcomes. A review of contract close-out reports would be needed for this analysis.

What is the long-term strategic value of these electrical signal instruments to the Department of Defense, and are there alternative technologies emerging?

The long-term strategic value lies in ensuring the DoD's capability to accurately measure and test electrical signals, crucial for the functioning and maintenance of complex electronic systems and weaponry. The contract's five-year duration suggests ongoing importance. However, the rapid pace of technological advancement necessitates continuous monitoring for emerging alternative technologies that could offer improved performance or cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingNavigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments ManufacturingInstrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals

Product/Service Code: FIRE CONTROL EQPT.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9500 INNOVATION DRIVE, MANASSAS, VA, 20110

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2004-02-11

Current End Date: 2009-02-16

Potential End Date: 2009-02-16 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2016-10-17

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