State Department's $46.7M contract for overseas consular support shows a long duration and firm fixed-price structure

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,763,130 ($46.8M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2017-12-24

End Date: 2024-06-23

Contract Duration: 2,373 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY (GSS) PERFORMANCE-BASED TASK ORDER FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR SUPPORT FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BELIZE, GUYANA, JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE ACARI (ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS) TO REPLACE THE PATCHWORK OF USER-PAYS INFORMATION, APPOINTMENT, FEE COLLECTION, DOCUMENT DELIVERY, GREETER, AND OFFSITE BIO-METRIC COLLECTION SERVICES CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE POSTS. THE PURPOSES OF THIS ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION ARE TO CORRECT THE CONTRACTOR'S ADDRESS, CAGE CODE NUMBER, AND DUNS NUMBER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BASIC CONTRACT. IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $46.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY (GSS) PERFORMANCE-BASED TASK ORDER FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR SUPPORT FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BELIZE, GUYANA, JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE ACARI (ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS) TO REPLACE THE … Key points: 1. The contract's extended duration of over 6 years suggests a need for stable, long-term support services. 2. A firm fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, potentially benefiting the government. 3. The contract's focus on consolidating user-pays services points to an effort to standardize and improve efficiency in consular operations. 4. The administrative modification to correct contractor details highlights the importance of accurate record-keeping in federal contracting. 5. The contract's scope covers multiple Anglophone Caribbean islands, indicating a regional approach to service delivery. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this contract was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $46.7 million over nearly seven years averages to about $6.7 million annually. This appears reasonable for providing comprehensive consular support services across multiple overseas locations. The firm fixed-price structure generally offers good value by transferring cost overrun risk to the contractor. Benchmarking against similar multi-country support contracts would provide further insight, but the scope and duration suggest a competitive pricing strategy was likely employed.

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 offers. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. While the number of bidders is not specified, full and open competition generally leads to a more robust selection of qualified contractors and potentially more favorable pricing compared to limited or sole-source procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces and encourages a wider pool of contractors to compete, leading to potentially more cost-effective solutions.

Public Impact

Citizens and residents in the Anglophone Caribbean islands (Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago) benefit from streamlined and consolidated consular services. Services delivered include information provision, appointment scheduling, fee collection, document delivery, greeter services, and offsite biometric collection. The geographic impact is regional, covering six distinct island nations, improving accessibility and consistency of services. The contract supports the Department of State's mission to provide essential consular services abroad, indirectly impacting diplomatic relations and citizen welfare.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical overseas operations could pose a risk if performance falters.
Administrative modifications, while necessary, can sometimes indicate initial oversights in contract setup.

Positive Signals

Consolidation of services aims for increased efficiency and potentially reduced administrative overhead.
Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on IT facilities management and support services (NAICS 541513). The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing overseas support. The Department of State's spending in this area is consistent with the need to maintain operational capabilities across its global network. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale IT support contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar geographic scopes and service complexities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scale and nature of the required services were likely deemed more suitable for larger, established contractors. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor may still choose to engage small businesses for specific components of the work, though this is not a contractual requirement based on the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal acquisition regulations and oversight mechanisms. As a delivery order under a basic contract, it falls under the purview of the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by capping the government's liability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any performance or financial irregularities were identified.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Consular Services
Overseas Operations Support
IT Facilities Management
Information Technology Services
Government Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or evolving requirements not being adequately addressed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services across multiple locations could lead to single points of failure.
Administrative modifications suggest potential initial issues with contract data accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $46.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.. IGF::CT::IGF GLOBAL SUPPORT STRATEGY (GSS) PERFORMANCE-BASED TASK ORDER FOR OVERSEAS CONSULAR SUPPORT FOR CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BELIZE, GUYANA, JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE ACARI (ANGLOPHONE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS) TO REPLACE THE PATCHWORK OF USER-PAYS INFORMATION, APPOINTMENT, FEE COLLECTION, DOCUMENT DELIVERY, GREETER, AND OFFSITE BIO-METRIC COLLECTION SERVICES CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE POSTS. THE PURPOSES OF THIS ADMINISTRATIVE MODIFICATION A

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 $46.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-12-24. End: 2024-06-23.

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

General Dynamics Information Technology Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record in providing IT and professional services to various federal agencies, including the Department of State. They have historically been involved in large-scale contracts for IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and mission support services, often in complex, overseas environments. Their experience typically includes managing geographically dispersed teams, ensuring service continuity, and adhering to stringent security and performance requirements. While specific details of past performance on similar consular support contracts would require deeper investigation into contract databases and performance reviews, GDIT's overall profile suggests they possess the capacity and experience to handle such requirements. Their history often involves managing significant budgets and large workforces to meet demanding government needs.

How does the average annual cost of this contract compare to similar multi-country overseas support contracts managed by other federal agencies?

The average annual cost of this contract is approximately $6.7 million ($46.7 million / ~7 years). To benchmark this effectively, we would need to compare it against contracts with similar scopes: providing comprehensive IT, administrative, and operational support across multiple countries, particularly in regions with similar logistical challenges. Contracts for large-scale IT infrastructure, facilities management, and personnel support for agencies like the Department of Defense or USAID operating in comparable regions could serve as benchmarks. Factors such as the number of personnel supported, the criticality of the services, and the specific security requirements heavily influence costs. Without direct comparative data on similar multi-country consular or diplomatic support contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if $6.7 million annually is high or low. However, for a contract covering six countries and encompassing a wide range of critical services, it appears to be within a plausible range for a firm fixed-price, long-term engagement.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration and scope for overseas consular support?

The primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration and scope for overseas consular support primarily revolve around potential contractor underperformance or unforeseen cost escalations that are not adequately covered by contingencies. For the government, the risk is that the contractor, in an effort to maintain profitability under a fixed price, might cut corners on service quality, staffing levels, or technology upgrades, leading to a degradation of service delivery. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the true costs of performance over nearly seven years, especially in potentially volatile overseas environments where unforeseen political, economic, or logistical challenges could significantly increase operational expenses. While the firm fixed-price structure shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor, inadequate pricing or scope definition at the outset can still lead to disputes or a failure to meet evolving mission needs.

How effective has the consolidation of 'user-pays' services been in improving the efficiency and user experience of consular operations in the Anglophone Caribbean?

The effectiveness of consolidating 'user-pays' services into a single contract like the ACARI (Anglophone Caribbean Islands) initiative hinges on the successful implementation and ongoing management of the integrated system. The stated goal is to replace a 'patchwork' of individual services with a standardized, potentially more efficient model. Improvements in efficiency could manifest as reduced wait times for appointments, streamlined fee collection processes, and a more consistent experience for individuals interacting with consular services. User experience is likely enhanced if the new system offers a single point of contact or a unified platform for various needs, reducing confusion and administrative burden. However, the success is contingent on the contractor's ability to deliver reliable technology, well-trained staff, and seamless integration across all supported posts. Without specific performance metrics or user feedback data post-consolidation, a definitive assessment of effectiveness is not possible from the contract data alone.

What is the historical spending trend for overseas consular support services by the Department of State, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for overseas consular support services by the Department of State requires access to multi-year budget and contract data. This specific contract, valued at $46.7 million over nearly seven years, represents a significant but potentially isolated investment for a specific region (Anglophone Caribbean). To understand the trend, one would need to examine: 1) the total annual spending on consular support globally, 2) the number and value of similar regional contracts, and 3) whether there has been a strategic shift towards consolidation or outsourcing of these services. If the Department of State has been increasingly moving towards consolidating services under larger, performance-based contracts to achieve economies of scale and standardization, then this ACARI contract would fit within that trend. Conversely, if spending has been fragmented across many smaller contracts, this represents a departure. Without broader historical data, this contract's place in the overall spending trend remains unclear, but its scale suggests a strategic approach to managing services in a specific geographic area.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

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: $55,095,311

Exercised Options: $55,095,311

Current Obligation: $46,763,130

Actual Outlays: $18,909,506

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA10D0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline