DoD awards $19.2M for SSN 777-779 Photonics Mast Workstation to General Dynamics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,256,223 ($19.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-02-23

End Date: 2011-04-01

Contract Duration: 2,228 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PHOTONICS MAST WORKSTATION FOR SSN 777 THROUGH 779

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: PHOTONICS MAST WORKSTATION FOR SSN 777 THROUGH 779 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, large business prime. 2. No small business participation noted. 3. Definitive contract type suggests a well-defined scope. 4. Engineering services sector, with potential for specialized needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $19.2M over 2228 days (approx. 6 years) is difficult to assess without a per-unit cost or more detailed scope. The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source or limited source award. This significantly restricts price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Procurement for critical naval systems ensures national security capabilities. Long-term contract duration suggests a sustained need for specialized engineering. Focus on advanced technology like photonics indicates investment in modernization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • No small business participation
  • Long contract duration without clear performance metrics

Positive Signals

  • Awarded to a known defense contractor
  • Supports critical naval platforms

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to defense systems. Benchmarks for similar specialized engineering services for naval platforms are not readily available, but the value and duration are substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, General Dynamics, is handling the entire scope of work, potentially missing opportunities for subcontracting to smaller, specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, with oversight from the Defense Contract Management Agency. The definitive contract type and fixed-price nature suggest some level of defined oversight, but the lack of competition limits transparency.

Related Government Programs

  • Engineering Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of transparency in pricing
  • No small business involvement
  • Long contract duration

Tags

engineering-services, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. PHOTONICS MAST WORKSTATION FOR SSN 777 THROUGH 779

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 $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-02-23. End: 2011-04-01.

What was the justification for the limited competition award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such awards are made when only one source possesses the necessary specialized capabilities or when urgent needs preclude a competitive process. Price reasonableness is usually determined through cost analysis, comparison to historical data, or market research, but without details, it's hard to verify.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables associated with this photonics mast workstation contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or deliverables for the photonics mast workstation. A definitive contract usually implies a well-defined scope, but the exact technical requirements, quality standards, and delivery schedules are crucial for assessing contract effectiveness and value.

How does the cost of this workstation compare to similar systems or previous generations, considering the lack of competitive bidding?

Without competitive bidding, a direct cost comparison is challenging. The $19.2M award over approximately six years for specialized engineering services for three vessels suggests a significant investment. However, the absence of competing offers means there's no market-driven price point to benchmark against, raising concerns about potential cost inefficiencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering Services

Product/Service Code: FIRE CONTROL EQPT.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 12450 FAIR LAKES CIR STE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline

Start Date: 2005-02-23

Current End Date: 2011-04-01

Potential End Date: 2011-04-01 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2022-08-02

More Contracts from General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

View all General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending