DoD's $56.6M Content Conversion Contract Awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,597,052 ($56.6M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-06-03

End Date: 2024-05-16

Contract Duration: 1,809 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: RRL FY2019 CONTENT CONVERSION

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22030

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $56.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: RRL FY2019 CONTENT CONVERSION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services related to content conversion. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology secured the contract. 3. The contract has a duration of 1809 days. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price contract. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. The Department of the Navy is the issuing agency. 7. The contract falls under the Engineering Services NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $56.6 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate investment for content conversion services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts, this pricing appears competitive, especially given the firm-fixed-price structure which shifts risk to the contractor. The specific value-for-money will depend on the successful delivery of the conversion and the long-term benefits realized by the Department of the Navy.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. With 6 bidders identified, this suggests a reasonably competitive environment. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as the government had access to a wide range of potential solutions and pricing. This process helps to drive down costs and ensure the best value is obtained.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from modernized and accessible content. Services delivered include the conversion of existing content to new formats. The contract is likely to have implications for IT support staff within the Navy. Improved content management can lead to enhanced operational efficiency for naval personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if conversion requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise for successful content migration.
Risk of data integrity issues during the conversion process.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract aligns incentives for efficient delivery.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Engineering Services sector. The market for content conversion and management services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for organizations, particularly large government agencies, to digitize, organize, and make accessible vast amounts of legacy information. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on the complexity and volume of content, but large-scale conversion projects can easily run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is General Dynamics Information Technology, a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether General Dynamics intends to utilize small business subcontractors for specialized services or support roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Navy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified outcomes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific internal oversight processes are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Defense IT Modernization Programs
Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Contracts
Content Management Systems Procurement
Engineering Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for data integrity issues during conversion.
Risk of project delays impacting downstream operations.
Need for clear and comprehensive scope definition to prevent scope creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $56.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. RRL FY2019 CONTENT CONVERSION

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 $56.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-03. End: 2024-05-16.

What is the historical spending pattern for content conversion services within the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for content conversion within the Department of the Navy requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract represents a $56.6 million investment, understanding the broader trend involves looking at the frequency and value of similar contracts awarded to various vendors. Factors such as technological shifts (e.g., from paper to digital, or older digital formats to newer ones), changes in data management policies, and specific program requirements (like modernization or archival initiatives) would influence these patterns. Without access to a comprehensive historical database, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but it's reasonable to assume that as the Navy continues to manage vast amounts of information, investments in content conversion and management are ongoing and significant.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for similar content conversion projects?

Benchmarking the $56.6 million contract value for content conversion against industry standards is complex due to the variability in project scope, complexity, and the types of content being converted. However, for large-scale government IT projects involving significant data migration and format transformation, this price point appears within a reasonable range, particularly given the firm-fixed-price nature which often includes a premium for risk transfer. Industry benchmarks often consider factors like the volume of data (in terabytes or number of documents), the required level of metadata extraction, the complexity of the source and target systems, and the security requirements. Given that General Dynamics Information Technology is a major IT services provider, their pricing is likely competitive within the established market for such services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) expected for this content conversion contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a content conversion contract of this nature typically focus on the successful and accurate migration of data, adherence to timelines, and cost control. Specific KPIs might include: data accuracy rates (e.g., percentage of data converted without errors), completeness of conversion (e.g., all specified content types migrated), on-time delivery milestones, system uptime during migration, and adherence to security protocols throughout the process. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the government expects these outcomes to be met within the agreed-upon budget. Detailed KPIs would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance metrics.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology in delivering large-scale IT conversion projects for the federal government?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) has a substantial track record of delivering large-scale IT services and solutions to various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their experience encompasses complex system integrations, data management, cybersecurity, and modernization efforts. While specific details on past content conversion projects would require a deeper dive into their contract history, GDIT is generally recognized as a capable prime contractor for mission-critical IT programs. Their ability to secure contracts of this magnitude suggests a demonstrated capacity to manage complex projects, meet performance requirements, and handle significant budgets, often involving sensitive data and stringent security protocols.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for this $56.6 million content conversion contract include data loss or corruption during migration, project delays due to unforeseen technical challenges, scope creep if requirements are not precisely defined, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model doesn't adequately account for all complexities. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous planning, detailed requirements gathering, phased implementation with regular testing and validation checkpoints, robust data backup and recovery procedures, and strong project management oversight. The full and open competition also helps mitigate risk by selecting a contractor with a proven ability to manage such projects. The government's oversight and the contractor's own risk management processes are crucial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6134018R0027

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corporation

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: $56,944,210

Exercised Options: $56,597,052

Current Obligation: $56,597,052

Actual Outlays: $30,178,545

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6134012D7114

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline