Treasury's $24.8M IRS IT contract with General Dynamics raises questions on value and competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,850,167 ($24.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2008-01-24

End Date: 2010-04-30

Contract Duration: 827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PRIME SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SERVICES CONTR

Place of Performance

Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20706

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $24.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: PRIME SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SERVICES CONTR Key points: 1. The contract's total value is $24.8 million. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. The NAICS code 541512 indicates Computer Systems Design Services. 5. The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Incentive contract type, while allowing for flexibility, carries inherent risks of cost escalation. Without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns, assessing the true value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific details of the competition and how price discovery was achieved are not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The $24.8 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds allocated to IT services for the IRS. The effectiveness and efficiency of this spending will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Taxpayers fund IT modernization efforts for the IRS. The contract supports critical government functions through technology. The duration of the contract (827 days) suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Incentive contract type
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics
  • Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under Full and Open Competition
  • Supports critical IRS functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically involve comparing per-unit costs for specific IT services or overall project costs for comparable system integrations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would involve monitoring performance against contract requirements and ensuring that costs remain within acceptable parameters, especially given the Cost Plus Incentive structure.

Related Government Programs

  • Computer Systems Design Services
  • Department of the Treasury Contracting
  • Internal Revenue Service Programs

Risk Flags

  • Cost Plus Incentive contract type can lead to higher than expected costs.
  • Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
  • Potential for scope creep without clear deliverables.
  • Limited insight into the competitive landscape beyond 'Full and Open'.

Tags

computer-systems-design-services, department-of-the-treasury, md, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $24.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. PRIME SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SERVICES CONTR

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 the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-01-24. End: 2010-04-30.

What specific IT systems or services were provided under this contract, and how did they improve IRS operations?

The contract was for Prime Systems Integration Services. Without further details on the specific systems integrated or the improvements achieved, it's challenging to quantify the operational benefits. This information is crucial for assessing the contract's effectiveness and value beyond its monetary cost.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how did General Dynamics perform against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance evaluation results. Understanding these metrics and the contractor's performance is essential for assessing the risk associated with cost overruns and ensuring the government received adequate value for its investment.

Were there any cost savings or efficiencies realized by the IRS as a result of this contract, particularly given the incentive structure?

The Cost Plus Incentive contract type aims to incentivize cost savings and efficient performance. However, the data does not specify whether such savings were achieved or if the incentive structure successfully controlled costs. A post-award review or detailed financial analysis would be necessary to determine the actual cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesComputer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: MARYLAND TECHNOLOGY CENTER, LANHAM, MD, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,581,523

Exercised Options: $26,581,523

Current Obligation: $24,850,167

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: TIRNO99D00001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2008-01-24

Current End Date: 2010-04-30

Potential End Date: 2010-04-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2015-02-16

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