DoD's JIAMDO Awards $47.3M SETA Contract to General Dynamics, Full Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,327,630 ($47.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-08-24

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 1,703 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE JOINT STAFF, JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION (JIAMDO), SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20301

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $47.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: THE JOINT STAFF, JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION (JIAMDO), SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. General Dynamics secured a significant contract for critical JIAMDO SETA support. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract spans over 1700 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing structure requires careful monitoring of costs against the fixed fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.3M over approximately 4.7 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized engineering and technical assistance. Benchmarking against similar large-scale SETA contracts would provide further context on pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for the best value to be identified. The multiple delivery orders indicate ongoing tasking within this competitive framework.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Ensures continued expert support for the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization. Supports national security by enhancing critical missile defense capabilities. General Dynamics' role in this program highlights its importance in the defense sector. The long duration of the contract suggests a stable, ongoing requirement for these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize their fee.
Potential for scope creep in long-term SETA support contracts.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a critical national security function (Air and Missile Defense).
Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting advanced defense systems. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and national security, with significant government investment typically allocated to R&D and technical support for complex defense programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the awardee is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business. There is no explicit mention of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting potential missed opportunities for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Navy awarded this contract, implying oversight from that agency. The multiple delivery orders suggest a structured process for tasking and monitoring performance under the contract, but detailed oversight mechanisms are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee pricing model.
Long contract duration (over 4 years).
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting.
Potential for contractor dependency in a critical defense area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $47.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. THE JOINT STAFF, JOINT INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION (JIAMDO), SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT SERVICES.

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 (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-24. End: 2026-04-23.

What specific technical areas does the SETA support encompass, and how does this align with current JIAMDO priorities?

The SETA support likely covers a broad range of engineering disciplines critical to integrated air and missile defense, including systems engineering, requirements analysis, testing, and integration. This aligns with JIAMDO's mission to develop and field effective air and missile defense capabilities. Specific priorities would involve ensuring interoperability, addressing emerging threats, and optimizing existing systems through expert technical guidance.

How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure be managed to prevent cost overruns and ensure value for money?

Effective management of a CPFF contract requires robust government oversight, including detailed cost tracking, regular performance reviews, and strict adherence to the Statement of Work. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for efficiency, but the government must actively monitor expenditures against the estimated cost to ensure the contractor does not inflate costs to increase their fee. Clear milestones and deliverables are essential.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the long-term effectiveness and adaptability of the SETA support as threats and technologies evolve?

Adaptability is typically managed through contract modifications, task orders that allow for evolving requirements, and periodic re-competition. The government should ensure the contract includes provisions for incorporating new technologies and addressing emerging threats. Regular reviews of the SETA team's performance and their ability to provide forward-looking technical advice are crucial for maintaining long-term effectiveness.

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: N0018921R3022

Offers Received: 3

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: $54,157,483

Exercised Options: $54,157,483

Current Obligation: $47,327,630

Actual Outlays: $7,680,021

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 18

Total Subaward Amount: $5,850,303

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D7693

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline