General Dynamics awarded $9.8M for wired telecommunications infrastructure at Tyndall AFB

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,832,275 ($9.8M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-08-15

End Date: 2010-10-01

Contract Duration: 1,508 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200610!000641!5700!FA8773!38EIG/PK !FA877104D0007 !A!N! !N!TF19 ! !20060815!20081221!008968708!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS NETWORK SYSTE!77 A ST !NEEDHAM !MA!02494!72875!005!12!TYNDALL AFB !BAY !FLORIDA !+000000624429!N!N!000000000000!Y127!ELECTRONIC & COMMUNICATION FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !237130!E! !5!B!M! !A! !99990909!B!A!Y!A! !A!N!J!2!018!B! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!D!A!A!000!A!B!Y! !N! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32403

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200610!000641!5700!FA8773!38EIG/PK !FA877104D0007 !A!N! !N!TF19 ! !20060815!20081221!008968708!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS NETWORK SYSTE!77 A ST !NEEDHAM !MA!02494!72875!005!12!TYNDALL AFB !BAY … Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in base infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of 1508 days indicates a long-term project. 4. The award falls within the broader category of telecommunications services. 5. Performance is located in Florida, a state with substantial military presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.8 million for wired telecommunications infrastructure appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar projects for base infrastructure upgrades is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract shifts risk to the contractor, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor can deliver within budget. The number of bids received (18) suggests a healthy level of interest, potentially leading to competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 18 bids received. This indicates a robust bidding environment where multiple companies had the opportunity to compete for the work. A higher number of bidders generally suggests that the market is competitive and that the government is likely to receive a range of pricing and technical proposals, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome for the agency.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for the telecommunications infrastructure services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and personnel stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The contract delivers essential wired telecommunications infrastructure, crucial for base operations, communication, and data transfer. The geographic impact is localized to Tyndall AFB in Florida. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of jobs in the telecommunications and construction sectors, both for the prime contractor and any subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise during the long contract duration.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues emerge.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure helps control costs.
Extensive competition suggests a strong pool of qualified bidders.
Long contract duration allows for comprehensive project completion and potential for economies of scale.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on wired infrastructure. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 517110, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, encompasses companies that provide telecommunications services through the use of the wired telecommunications infrastructure. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining and upgrading the communication networks essential for government operations, particularly within military installations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small business participation is a requirement or a voluntary goal for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Base Communications Infrastructure Modernization
Telecommunications Network Upgrades
Military Base IT Services
Wired Network Installation Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
Potential for cost increases if material prices fluctuate significantly over the contract term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200610!000641!5700!FA8773!38EIG/PK !FA877104D0007 !A!N! !N!TF19 ! !20060815!20081221!008968708!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS NETWORK SYSTE!77 A ST !NEEDHAM !MA!02494!72875!005!12!TYNDALL AFB !BAY !FLORIDA !+000000624429!N!N!000000000000!Y127!ELECTRONIC & COMMUNICATION FACILITIES !C2 !CONSTRUCTION !000 !NOT DISCERNABLE !237130!E! !5!B!M! !A! !999

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 Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-08-15. End: 2010-10-01.

What specific types of wired telecommunications facilities were included in this contract?

The contract description mentions 'ELECTRONIC & COMMUNICATION FACILITIES' and falls under NAICS code 517110 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers). While specific details are not provided in the abbreviated data, this typically includes the installation, maintenance, and upgrade of physical network infrastructure such as fiber optic cables, copper wiring, network hubs, routers, and associated equipment necessary for robust voice, data, and video communication services on the base. This could encompass everything from backbone network deployment to end-user connectivity solutions within buildings.

How does the $9.8 million award compare to other similar telecommunications infrastructure contracts for military bases?

Direct comparison is difficult without more granular data on the scope and scale of other projects. However, $9.8 million for a multi-year project (1508 days) focused on wired infrastructure at a significant installation like Tyndall AFB appears to be within a reasonable range for such undertakings. Larger bases or more comprehensive upgrades could easily exceed this amount, while smaller projects or specific component upgrades might be less. The firm-fixed-price nature and the number of bidders (18) suggest a competitive process that likely yielded a fair market price for the services rendered.

What are the potential risks associated with a 1508-day contract for telecommunications infrastructure?

A contract duration of 1508 days (approximately 4 years) for telecommunications infrastructure carries several potential risks. Technological obsolescence is a primary concern; the technology landscape can change rapidly, potentially making the installed infrastructure outdated before the contract term ends. Furthermore, long-term projects increase the risk of unforeseen site conditions, material cost fluctuations, and potential contractor performance issues over time. Managing such a long-term engagement requires consistent oversight to ensure the contractor remains on track and delivers value throughout the contract's life.

What was the historical spending pattern for wired telecommunications at Tyndall AFB prior to this contract?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract award and does not include historical spending patterns for Tyndall AFB or the Department of the Air Force in general. To assess historical spending, one would need to access broader federal procurement databases and filter for similar contract actions (e.g., by agency, base, and service type) over previous fiscal years. This would allow for an analysis of trends, average award values, and the frequency of such procurements.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. in performing similar telecommunications infrastructure contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) is a major federal contractor with a long history of providing IT and telecommunications services to government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While this specific data point doesn't detail their performance on this particular contract (as it's an award notice), GDIT has a broad portfolio of similar work. Their track record generally includes large-scale network deployments, cybersecurity solutions, and infrastructure management for various government entities. Assessing their specific performance on this contract would require reviewing post-award performance evaluations and contract modification history.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 18

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 77 A STREET, NEEDHAM, MA, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA877104D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline