General Dynamics awarded $23M for IT services, with 10 delivery orders over 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,999,637 ($23.0M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2011-10-01

End Date: 2019-05-29

Contract Duration: 2,797 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SECURITY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22230

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $23.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: SECURITY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty. 5. The award falls within the Computer Systems Design Services NAICS code. 6. This contract is a substantial portion of the agency's IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $22.99 million over nearly 8 years, with 10 delivery orders, suggests a consistent need for IT services. While specific performance metrics are not detailed here, the firm fixed-price structure implies a degree of cost control. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money, but the duration and multiple orders indicate a sustained relationship and likely satisfaction with the provider.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a more robust selection process and potentially better pricing. With 10 delivery orders issued, it suggests the initial contract was structured to accommodate evolving needs over its lifespan, and the competition likely influenced the pricing for each order.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) benefits from enhanced IT capabilities. Services delivered likely include system design, integration, and maintenance. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment for IT professionals supporting the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to long-term contract.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit future flexibility.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Consistent IT support ensures operational continuity for the agency.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Long-term relationship may foster deep understanding of agency needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the IT industry. The market for these services is vast, with numerous large and small companies competing for government contracts. General Dynamics Information Technology is a major player in this space. The $23 million award is a significant, though not unprecedented, sum for IT services within a federal agency, reflecting the ongoing need for sophisticated technological support.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While General Dynamics is a large business, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors. The extent of small business subcontracting would depend on the specific terms and performance requirements outlined in the delivery orders and the contractor's subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability for cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Professional Services
Cloud Computing Services
Cybersecurity Services

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Potential for Vendor Lock-in
Reliance on Large Contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $23.0 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. SECURITY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-10-01. End: 2019-05-29.

What is the historical spending trend for IT services at the National Science Foundation?

Analyzing historical spending for IT services at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is crucial for understanding budget allocation and identifying trends. While this specific contract totals $22.99 million over approximately eight years, a broader review of NSF's IT budget would reveal if this represents a consistent investment, an increase, or a decrease in spending on such services. Factors influencing historical spending include technological advancements, agency-wide modernization efforts, and shifts in federal IT priorities. Comparing this contract's value to the agency's total IT expenditure over the same period would provide context on its relative significance. Without access to NSF's complete IT spending data, it's difficult to definitively state the trend, but the sustained nature of this award suggests a stable, ongoing requirement for IT support.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar IT service contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost of this contract against similar IT service contracts requires detailed data on the specific services rendered, labor categories, and rates. This contract, valued at $22.99 million over nearly eight years with 10 delivery orders, is under a firm fixed-price (FFP) structure. FFP contracts aim to provide cost certainty, but the 'per-unit' cost can be complex to define without knowing the exact deliverables for each order. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with comparable scope (e.g., computer systems design, IT support) awarded by agencies of similar size and mission. Factors like geographic location, contractor overhead, and specific technical requirements significantly influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the total value is substantial, but without granular data on labor hours, specific tasks, and prevailing market rates for comparable roles, a definitive per-unit cost comparison is not feasible from the provided summary.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the performance of General Dynamics Information Technology under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate General Dynamics Information Technology's performance on this contract. However, for a contract of this nature, typically focused on Computer Systems Design Services and awarded under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, KPIs would likely revolve around service delivery, system uptime, response times for support requests, project completion milestones, and adherence to security protocols. Given the multiple delivery orders over an extended period, it's probable that performance was assessed periodically, potentially through contract performance reports or reviews conducted by the National Science Foundation's program office. The absence of specific KPIs in the summary means we cannot definitively assess performance metrics, but the renewal or continuation of services through multiple orders often implies satisfactory performance.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology in delivering IT services to the federal government?

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), now part of General Dynamics, has a long and extensive track record of delivering a wide range of IT services to numerous federal agencies. They are a major government contractor known for providing solutions in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, enterprise IT, and mission systems. Their experience spans decades, and they have held numerous large-scale contracts across departments like Defense, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security. While this specific contract with the National Science Foundation is for $22.99 million, GDIT's portfolio includes contracts significantly larger in value and scope. Their history generally indicates a capacity to manage complex IT projects and provide sustained support, though like any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary. Their established presence suggests a deep understanding of federal procurement processes and requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term, sole-source or limited-competition IT services contract?

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' not sole-source or limited competition. Therefore, the risks typically associated with those types of awards are mitigated. However, even within a competitive award that spans nearly eight years with multiple delivery orders, potential risks can still emerge. These include the risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on a single provider, potentially stifling innovation or making future transitions difficult and costly. There's also the risk of scope creep, where the services required expand beyond the original intent, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, although the FFP structure aims to contain this. Furthermore, the long duration might mean the contractor's technology or service offerings become outdated if they do not proactively invest in modernization, or conversely, the agency might miss out on newer, more cost-effective solutions available on the market.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 15036 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,157,016

Exercised Options: $27,157,016

Current Obligation: $22,999,637

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q09BGD0055

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline