DoD Awards $26.9M for Automated Control Systems Support to General Dynamics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,931,578 ($26.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-01

End Date: 2026-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,736 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TARGETRY RANGE AUTOMATED CONTROL AND RECORDING II AND POST DEPLOYMENT SOFTWARE SUPPORT/POST PRODUCTION SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: TARGETRY RANGE AUTOMATED CONTROL AND RECORDING II AND POST DEPLOYMENT SOFTWARE SUPPORT/POST PRODUCTION SOFTWARE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a large, established defense contractor. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns. 4. The contract supports automated control and recording systems, a critical area for defense operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent risk for cost control. Benchmarking against similar support contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was used, which generally promotes price discovery. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure may limit the direct impact of competition on the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential defense system support, with the expectation of value derived from competitive bidding and contractor performance.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical automated control and recording systems. Supports national defense capabilities through reliable software and post-deployment services. Provides employment opportunities within the defense contracting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher spending.
  • Potential for scope creep in software support contracts.
  • Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements.

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition utilized.
  • Supports critical defense infrastructure.
  • Contract awarded to a known entity with relevant experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing' sector, specifically supporting defense systems. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized software support contracts can vary widely based on system complexity and criticality.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and no specific small business participation is mentioned. Large prime contractors often utilize subcontractors, which could include small businesses, but this is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to monitor costs under the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure and ensure performance meets the requirements of the Department of the Army. Contract performance reports and regular reviews are standard oversight mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
  • Potential for cost overruns.
  • Long-term contract duration.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
  • No explicit mention of small business utilization.

Tags

other-commercial-and-service-industry-ma, department-of-defense, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. TARGETRY RANGE AUTOMATED CONTROL AND RECORDING II AND POST DEPLOYMENT SOFTWARE SUPPORT/POST PRODUCTION SOFTWARE SUPPORT

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 $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-01. End: 2026-01-31.

What is the estimated cost per year for this contract, and how does it compare to similar support contracts for automated systems?

The total contract value is approximately $26.9 million over a period of roughly 5 years (May 2021 - Jan 2026). This averages to about $5.4 million per year. Direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging without detailed service level agreements and system complexity metrics, but this figure should be benchmarked against industry standards for specialized defense software support.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type in this context?

The main risk with Cost Plus Fixed Fee is that the contractor is incentivized to incur costs to achieve the fixed fee, potentially leading to less cost-consciousness than other contract types. For software support, this could manifest as less efficient problem-solving or unnecessary upgrades if not strictly managed. Robust oversight is essential to mitigate this.

How effectively does full and open competition ensure value for money given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure?

Full and open competition is a strong mechanism for initial price discovery and ensuring a wide range of capable vendors can bid. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure itself can dilute the long-term value-for-money aspect by shifting cost control risks to the government. The effectiveness relies heavily on the government's ability to manage the contract and control costs post-award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: ManufacturingCommercial and Service Industry Machinery ManufacturingOther Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W900KK19R0021

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wico Limited

Address: 12001 RESEARCH PKWY STE 500, ORLANDO, FL, 32826

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: $27,304,902

Exercised Options: $27,304,902

Current Obligation: $26,931,578

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $3,179,520

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W900KK20D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-05-01

Current End Date: 2026-01-31

Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-12-17

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