DoD's $44.1M contract for electronics and communication equipment awarded to General Dynamics C4 Systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,130,013 ($44.1M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-06-02

End Date: 2008-11-21

Contract Duration: 1,268 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.8K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200509!025089!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !W15P7T05CF201 !A!N! !N! ! !20050602!20060330!121540038!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, I!8201 E MCDOWELL RD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARICOPA !ARIZONA !+000008552250!N!N!000000000000!1095!MISCELLANEOUS WEAPONS !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !287 !LAND WARRIOR !335999!E! !1! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !N!Z!C!U!J!1!001!N!1B!A!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: 200509!025089!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !W15P7T05CF201 !A!N! !N! ! !20050602!20060330!121540038!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, I!8201 E MCDOWELL RD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for miscellaneous weapons and electronics/communication equipment. 2. Significant portion of spending allocated to Land Warrior program. 3. Contract duration spans over 4 years. 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty. 5. Awarded by the Department of Defense, managed by DCMA. 6. Contractor is a large business with a significant federal footprint.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value is $44.1 million. Benchmarking this against similar contracts is challenging without more specific details on the 'Land Warrior' program components and the 'Miscellaneous Weapons' category. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some assurance against cost overruns for the government. The duration of over 4 years suggests a substantial project, and the value appears reasonable for a multi-year defense electronics and communication system.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a 'Follow On To Competed Action,' indicating that the initial award was competed. This suggests a competitive process was used to select the contractor. However, the specifics of the initial competition, including the number of bidders and the final awardee, are not detailed here. A follow-on action implies that the original competition likely established the pricing and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A follow-on to a competed action generally indicates that the government secured competitive pricing in the initial award, benefiting taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel utilizing the Land Warrior system. Services delivered include the provision of advanced electronics and communication equipment. Geographic impact is national, supporting defense operations. Workforce implications include jobs at General Dynamics and its subcontractors in manufacturing and engineering.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed technical specifications makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the equipment.
Potential for scope creep in a multi-year contract for complex systems.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical defense components.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Follow-on to a competed action suggests initial competitive pricing.
Contract managed by Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) for oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Defense sector, specifically related to electronics and communication equipment manufacturing. The 'Land Warrior' program is a significant initiative within the Army's modernization efforts. The market for defense electronics is characterized by high technological barriers to entry and substantial government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader category of tactical communication systems and soldier modernization programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., a large business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this specific award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in this data. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely indirect, through potential subcontracting relationships.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), which provides contract administration and oversight. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or waste.

Related Government Programs

Land Warrior Program
Tactical Communication Systems
Soldier Modernization Programs
Defense Electronics Manufacturing

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence in advanced electronics.
Contract duration may outpace rapid technological advancements.
Lack of specific details on competition for this follow-on action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. 200509!025089!2100!W15P7T!USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !W15P7T05CF201 !A!N! !N! ! !20050602!20060330!121540038!116187758!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, I!8201 E MCDOWELL RD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARICOPA !ARIZONA !+000008552250!N!N!000000000000!1095!MISCELLANEOUS WEAPONS !A7 !ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION EQUIP !287 !LAND WARRIOR !335999!E! !1! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-06-02. End: 2008-11-21.

What specific components or capabilities does the Land Warrior program entail, and how does this contract contribute to them?

The Land Warrior program, initiated in the late 1990s and evolving over time, aims to equip individual soldiers with integrated systems for enhanced situational awareness, communication, and lethality. This contract, valued at $44.1 million, likely contributes to the procurement of specific electronic and communication modules, sensors, displays, or power systems that are part of the Land Warrior suite. The 'Electronics and Communication Equipment' and 'Miscellaneous Weapons' categories suggest a broad scope, potentially including hardware for networking, target acquisition, or soldier-worn computing. Without more granular data on the contract line items, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact contribution, but it clearly supports the overall objective of modernizing the infantry soldier's equipment.

How does the $44.1 million contract value compare to historical spending on the Land Warrior program or similar soldier modernization efforts?

The $44.1 million contract value represents a significant but not exceptionally large investment within the context of major defense programs. The Land Warrior program itself has seen substantial funding over its lifecycle, with various contracts awarded for different components and upgrades. For instance, earlier phases of soldier modernization programs have involved hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars in total investment. This specific contract appears to be a substantial procurement action within a broader, ongoing effort. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to aggregate spending across all Land Warrior-related contracts and benchmark it against other soldier system programs like Nett Warrior or future initiatives.

What are the key risks associated with a multi-year, fixed-price contract for advanced electronics and communication equipment?

Key risks for a multi-year, fixed-price contract in advanced electronics include technological obsolescence, where the technology procured becomes outdated before or shortly after delivery. There's also the risk of contractor underperformance if the fixed price doesn't adequately account for unforeseen development or manufacturing challenges, potentially leading to quality issues or delays. For the government, the primary risk is paying a fixed price for technology that may not meet evolving operational needs or could be surpassed by competitor advancements. Ensuring robust testing, clear acceptance criteria, and flexibility for necessary upgrades are crucial mitigation strategies.

What is the track record of General Dynamics C4 Systems (now General Dynamics Mission Systems) in delivering complex defense electronics and communication systems?

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS), the successor to General Dynamics C4 Systems, has a long and established track record in delivering complex defense electronics, communication systems, and integrated platforms for military and government clients. They are a major prime contractor on numerous large-scale defense programs, including command and control systems, cyber security solutions, and various tactical communication networks. Their experience spans decades, and they are known for their engineering capabilities and ability to manage large, intricate projects. While specific performance on every contract varies, GDMS is generally considered a reliable and capable supplier within the defense industrial base for sophisticated electronic and communication solutions.

How does the 'Follow On To Competed Action' designation impact the perceived value and competition for this specific contract?

The 'Follow On To Competed Action' designation suggests that the initial award for this requirement was subject to full and open competition. This implies that the government likely received multiple bids and selected the offer that represented the best value, potentially including competitive pricing. As a follow-on action, it indicates that the government is continuing with the same or a similar solution, possibly leveraging the established relationship and pricing from the initial competition. While this specific action might not have involved a new round of broad competition, the underlying value proposition is presumed to be rooted in a prior competitive process, which generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring a degree of price discipline.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: WEAPONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257

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

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline