State Department's $30.4M IT support contract for consular operations awarded to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,375,731 ($30.4M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2013-02-05

End Date: 2018-02-04

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE PREPONDERENCE OF SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL. PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN ITALY, SPAIN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, PORTUGAL, IRELAND, ETHIOPIA, ANGOLA, AND CAPE VERDE.

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $30.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE PREPONDERENCE OF SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL. PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN ITALY, SPAIN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, PORTUGAL, IRELAND, ETHIOPIA, ANGOLA, AND CAPE VERDE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT support for consular operations across multiple European and African countries. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. has secured this significant contract. 3. The contract duration spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which helps in cost predictability. 6. This contract is categorized under Computer Facilities Management Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $30.4 million over five years averages to about $6 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for large government agencies, this figure appears reasonable, especially considering the global scope of operations. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating risks associated with cost overruns. Without specific per-unit cost data, a direct comparison is challenging, but the overall value seems aligned with the complexity and duration of the services required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bidders still provide a basis for price discovery and comparison. The government likely evaluated proposals based on a combination of technical merit and price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by encouraging vendors to offer their best pricing and services.

Public Impact

Citizens and foreign nationals requiring consular services in Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland, Ethiopia, Angola, and Cape Verde will benefit from uninterrupted IT support. Essential IT infrastructure and services supporting visa processing, passport issuance, and other critical consular functions are delivered. The geographic impact is significant, covering operations across multiple continents. The contract supports IT professionals employed by General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., contributing to the workforce in the regions where services are provided.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent service quality across diverse geographic locations presents a management challenge.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides budget certainty.
Awarded through full and open competition, promoting a fair marketplace.
Long-term contract duration suggests a stable and reliable service provision.
General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. is a large, established IT services provider with significant government contracting experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology services sector, specifically focusing on computer facilities management. The IT services market for government contracts is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on external providers for specialized support. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and specific services. However, contracts of this magnitude for global operations are not uncommon within large federal agencies like the Department of State.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this particular award. However, the prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would indirectly benefit them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of State. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Services Contracts
Consular Operations Support
Global IT Infrastructure Management
Federal IT Services Procurement
Computer Facilities Management Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical services
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive data
Service quality consistency across diverse locations
Contractor dependency and potential for vendor lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $30.4 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.. IGF::OT::IGF THE PREPONDERENCE OF SERVICES IS ESSENTIAL. PROVIDES SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN ITALY, SPAIN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, PORTUGAL, IRELAND, ETHIOPIA, ANGOLA, AND CAPE VERDE.

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 State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-02-05. End: 2018-02-04.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. in performing similar IT support contracts for the Department of State or other federal agencies?

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. (GDIT) has a long and extensive history of providing IT support and services to the Department of State and numerous other federal agencies. They are a major government contractor with a broad portfolio that includes IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, cloud services, and application development. GDIT has held numerous large-scale contracts for agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Social Security Administration. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to manage complex, global IT operations. However, like any large contractor, they have also faced scrutiny and performance reviews on specific contracts. A detailed review of their past performance ratings and any past performance issues with the State Department would provide a more granular understanding of their suitability for this specific consular support role.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts for government agencies with international operations?

The annual cost for this contract averages approximately $6.07 million ($30.4M / 5 years). Comparing this to similar IT support contracts for agencies with extensive international operations requires access to detailed benchmarking data, which is not publicly available in a standardized format. However, considering the scope – supporting consular operations across 8 countries (Italy, Spain, UK, Portugal, Ireland, Ethiopia, Angola, Cape Verde) – this annual figure appears to be within a reasonable range. Large-scale IT support for global operations often involves significant costs related to infrastructure, personnel, security, and logistics. For context, other agencies with similar global footprints, like the Department of Defense or intelligence agencies, often have IT support contracts that run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scale of services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Primary risks include potential performance failures impacting critical consular services, cybersecurity threats to sensitive government data, and challenges in maintaining consistent service quality across diverse geographic locations with varying infrastructure and regulations. Another risk is the potential for cost overruns if the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure is not managed effectively, although FFP generally shifts cost risk to the contractor. Mitigation strategies likely include robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with performance metrics, regular performance reviews, stringent cybersecurity protocols mandated by the contract, contingency planning for service disruptions, and potentially a dedicated government oversight team to monitor operations and contractor performance closely. The contractor's own internal risk management processes would also be a key mitigation factor.

How effective is the current IT support likely to be in ensuring the smooth functioning of consular operations across the specified countries?

The effectiveness of the IT support is crucial for the smooth functioning of consular operations, which rely heavily on technology for visa processing, passport issuance, communication, and data management. Given that this contract was awarded under full and open competition and is for a significant duration (5 years) with a reputable contractor like General Dynamics Information Technology Inc., it suggests a strong likelihood of effective service delivery. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to deliver services efficiently. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by the contractor's adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), the reliability of the systems they manage, and their responsiveness to issues. Without specific performance data post-award, a definitive assessment of effectiveness is speculative, but the contract structure and contractor choice provide a foundation for expected effectiveness.

What have been the historical spending patterns for IT support services by the Department of State for consular operations, and how does this contract compare?

Historical spending patterns for IT support services by the Department of State for consular operations are not detailed in the provided data. However, it is reasonable to assume that such support has been ongoing and likely evolved over time with technological advancements. Federal agencies typically award multi-year contracts for IT services, often through competitive processes. The $30.4 million total value over five years represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $6.07 million. To compare this accurately, one would need to examine previous contracts for similar services, noting any changes in scope, technology, or market prices. If previous contracts were significantly lower or higher, it could indicate shifts in market conditions, agency needs, or the competitiveness of the bidding process. Without prior data, this contract represents the current investment level for this specific requirement.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3170 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, 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: $30,375,731

Exercised Options: $30,375,731

Current Obligation: $30,375,731

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA10D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline