DoD Awards $36.9M for Navy/Marine Signature Management, Follow-on to Existing Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,882,828 ($36.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2017-12-31

End Date: 2024-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,373 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE SIGNATURES, SIGNATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, SIGNATURE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED SIGNAL PROCESSING, AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. THIS IS A FOLLOW-ON TO TASK ORDER N00178-04-D-4012-FD15.

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $36.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE SIGNATURES, SIGNATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, SIGNATURE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED SIGNAL PROCESSING, AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. THIS IS A FOLLOW-ON TO TASK ORDER N00178… Key points: 1. Contract supports critical Navy and Marine Corps signature management and advanced technology programs. 2. Follow-on nature suggests continuity and potential for efficiency, but also risks of complacency. 3. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the incumbent contractor. 4. The Defense sector continues to be a major area of federal spending for technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. However, the follow-on nature and established relationship may mitigate some risks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to secure the best value for taxpayers, though CPFF contracts require diligent oversight to control costs.

Public Impact

Ensures continued support for advanced defense technologies vital to national security. Supports specialized scientific and engineering expertise within the defense industrial base. Potential for technological advancements in signature management impacting military operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires close monitoring to prevent cost creep.
Follow-on nature could lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a new competition.
Long contract duration (over 6 years) increases exposure to potential scope changes or inefficiencies.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Incumbent contractor likely brings significant institutional knowledge and efficiency.
Supports critical national security missions for the Navy and Marine Corps.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced defense technologies. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by national security requirements and technological advancements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no specific set-aside for small businesses in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for oversight. The CPFF contract type necessitates robust oversight to ensure cost control and performance against objectives.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
Follow-on contract may not reflect the most competitive pricing.
Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep and inefficiency.
Lack of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $36.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NAVY AND MARINE SIGNATURES, SIGNATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY, SIGNATURE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY, ADVANCED SIGNAL PROCESSING, AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. THIS IS A FOLLOW-ON TO TASK ORDER N00178-04-D-4012-FD15.

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 Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-12-31. End: 2024-06-30.

What is the historical cost performance of this contract and similar CPFF contracts in the defense sector?

Analyzing historical cost performance data for this specific contract and comparing it to benchmarks for similar Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts within the Department of Defense is crucial. CPFF contracts are known for their flexibility but also their susceptibility to cost overruns. Understanding trends in cost growth, contractor performance against initial estimates, and the effectiveness of DCMA's oversight in managing these costs will provide insight into the overall value and potential risks associated with this award.

How does the pricing of this follow-on contract compare to the original task order and other competitive awards for similar services?

Evaluating the pricing of this follow-on contract against its predecessor (Task Order N00178-04-D-4012-FD15) and against other competitively awarded contracts for comparable scientific, engineering, and technical management services is essential. While a follow-on contract may benefit from incumbent efficiencies, it's important to ensure that the pricing reflects competitive market rates and doesn't include unnecessary escalations. A thorough price analysis will determine if the government is receiving fair value and if the competitive process was effective in driving optimal pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how effectively are they being measured and reported?

Understanding the key performance indicators (KPIs) established for this contract and the mechanisms for measuring and reporting on them is vital for assessing effectiveness. For scientific, engineering, and technical management services, KPIs might include technical milestones achieved, adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables, and innovation. Robust oversight by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) should ensure that these KPIs are clearly defined, consistently tracked, and that performance issues are addressed promptly to guarantee mission success and taxpayer value.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N0016717R3017

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 100, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,033,654

Exercised Options: $48,033,654

Current Obligation: $36,882,828

Actual Outlays: $2,260,851

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 38

Total Subaward Amount: $22,936,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4012

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline