DoD Awards $69.6M for Computer Hardware to General Dynamics, Facing Potential Overpricing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,624,410 ($69.6M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-15

End Date: 2023-12-30

Contract Duration: 1,020 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROCURE CHS HARDWARE

Place of Performance

Location: TAUNTON, BRISTOL County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02780

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $69.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: PROCURE CHS HARDWARE Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $69.6 million for computer hardware. 2. General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Risk of overpricing due to lack of competition. 4. Spending falls within the IT sector, specifically electronic computer manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's benchmark price of $68.26 million appears high relative to the awarded value of $69.62 million, suggesting potential overpricing or a lack of aggressive negotiation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Although advertised as full and open competition, the award went to a single entity, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the competition process and whether it truly drove the best possible price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The potential for overpricing directly impacts taxpayer funds, as a higher-than-necessary cost reduces the value obtained for the allocated budget.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for essential computer hardware. Lack of competitive pressure could lead to inflated prices for future procurements. The Department of the Army's reliance on a single vendor warrants scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential overpricing
  • Limited competition effectiveness
  • Lack of small business participation

Positive Signals

  • Contract awarded to established vendor
  • Clear contract duration and end date

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls under the Information Technology sector, specifically electronic computer manufacturing. The benchmark price of $68.26 million for this type of hardware seems within a reasonable range, but the final award value needs closer examination for efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses did not participate in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. This represents a missed opportunity to support small businesses and potentially foster innovation through diverse vendor engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

The award process, despite being listed as 'full and open competition,' resulted in a single awardee. Further oversight is needed to ensure the competition was robust and that the pricing achieved reflects true market value.

Related Government Programs

  • Electronic Computer Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for overpricing
  • Questionable competition effectiveness
  • Lack of small business participation
  • Single awardee despite full and open competition

Tags

electronic-computer-manufacturing, department-of-defense, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $69.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. PROCURE CHS HARDWARE

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 (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $69.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-15. End: 2023-12-30.

What specific factors contributed to General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. being the sole awardee under a 'full and open competition' solicitation?

The solicitation details and evaluation criteria would need to be reviewed to understand why only one vendor was selected. Potential reasons include highly specific technical requirements, a limited number of qualified bidders, or a perceived best-value offer that excluded others. Without further information, it's difficult to definitively state the cause, but it warrants investigation into the competition's effectiveness.

How does the awarded price of $69.62 million compare to market benchmarks for similar electronic computer hardware procured by the Department of Defense?

The provided benchmark price of $68.26 million is very close to the awarded price, suggesting minimal savings or potential overpayment. A thorough analysis would involve comparing this contract's unit costs and overall value against other recent DoD procurements of comparable hardware, considering factors like quantity, specifications, and vendor. A small difference between benchmark and award can still represent significant taxpayer dollars.

What is the potential impact on future IT hardware procurement costs if competition is perceived as ineffective or leads to single-award scenarios?

If future solicitations are perceived as having ineffective competition or consistently result in single awards, vendors may be less incentivized to offer competitive pricing. This could lead to a sustained increase in IT hardware costs for the government, diminishing the overall value of taxpayer investments and potentially hindering the acquisition of necessary technology.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingComputer and Peripheral Equipment ManufacturingElectronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 400 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS RD, TAUNTON, MA, 02780

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,624,410

Exercised Options: $69,624,410

Current Obligation: $69,624,410

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $57,283,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T18D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-03-15

Current End Date: 2023-12-30

Potential End Date: 2023-12-30 12:12:00

Last Modified: 2023-07-31

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