DoD Awards $7.5M for MUOS Ground System Sustainment to General Dynamics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,509,063 ($7.5M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-11-08
End Date: 2026-01-21
Contract Duration: 1,900 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: LABOR - MUOS GROUND SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $7.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: LABOR - MUOS GROUND SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. for sustainment of the MUOS Ground System. 2. The contract value is $7,509,062.66, with an estimated completion date of January 21, 2026. 3. This award falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 4. The contract was awarded using Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $7.5M for sustainment services appears reasonable for a specialized ground system. Benchmarking against similar complex system sustainment contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources may have been excluded. This method aims for competitive pricing while potentially narrowing the field.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to secure fair pricing, minimizing unnecessary taxpayer expenditure for this critical system sustainment.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and maintenance of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground infrastructure. Supports secure satellite communications for military personnel. Potential impact on readiness and operational effectiveness of communication systems. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. is a key contractor in defense communications.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Exclusion of sources in competition may limit price discovery.
- Long contract duration (2020-2026) could lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Awarded to a known entity with expertise in the field.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense communications infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for sustainment of complex ground systems can vary widely based on system criticality and technology.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight of this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure performance, manage costs, and verify the necessity of any source exclusions.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Long-term sustainment contract may be subject to scope creep or cost increases.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical system sustainment.
- Lack of transparency regarding specific reasons for source exclusion.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-defense, az, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $7.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. LABOR - MUOS GROUND SYSTEM SUSTAINMENT
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 (Department of the Air Force).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-11-08. End: 2026-01-21.
What specific technical capabilities does the MUOS ground system provide, and how critical is its sustainment to ongoing military operations?
The MUOS ground system is integral to the Mobile User Objective System, providing global, secure, and reliable voice and data communications for U.S. military forces. Its sustainment is critical for maintaining command and control, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness, especially in remote or contested environments where traditional communication methods may be unreliable.
What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?
The specific reasons for excluding sources are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, exclusions are based on factors like proprietary technology, unique capabilities, or national security concerns. Understanding these reasons is vital to assess if the exclusion potentially limited competition and influenced the final price paid by taxpayers.
How does the per-unit cost of sustaining the MUOS ground system compare to similar satellite ground system sustainment contracts, and what is the projected return on investment?
Benchmarking the per-unit cost requires access to comparable contract data, which is not provided. The projected return on investment is also difficult to quantify without detailed operational benefits and cost-saving metrics. A thorough analysis would involve comparing sustainment costs against the operational value and potential costs of system failure or degradation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: N0003918R0146
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Wico Limited
Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,509,063
Exercised Options: $7,509,063
Current Obligation: $7,509,063
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: N0003920D0146
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-11-08
Current End Date: 2026-01-21
Potential End Date: 2026-01-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-18
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