DoD's $63M contract for Signal Brigade support in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Qatar awarded to General Dynamics IT

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $63,254,245 ($63.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2012-03-01

End Date: 2017-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,100 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE LOCATED IN KUWAIT, AFGHANISTAN AND QATAR. SERVICES INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE, OPERATIONAL AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE AND SUBORDINATE BATTALIONS.

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $63.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE LOCATED IN KUWAIT, AFGHANISTAN AND QATAR. SERVICES INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE, OPERATIONAL AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE AND SUBORDINATE BATTALIONS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to General Dynamics IT for administrative, operational, and logistics support. 2. Services are for the 160th Signal Brigade across three Middle Eastern countries. 3. The contract spans over five years, from March 2012 to November 2017. 4. This contract falls under the Office Administrative Services NAICS code (561110).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $63.25 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar support in the region, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not closely managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The specific pricing achieved through this competition is not detailed here.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential military support services, ensuring operational readiness. The competitive award process aims to secure these services at a reasonable cost.

Public Impact

Ensures critical administrative, operational, and logistics support for a key Signal Brigade. Supports military operations in strategically important regions: Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Qatar. Provides employment opportunities through the contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology. The duration of the contract (over 5 years) suggests a long-term need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contract type can incentivize cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Geographic complexity (Kuwait, Afghanistan, Qatar) may increase operational costs and risks.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing.
Provides essential support to a critical military unit.
Long contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically office administrative services. Spending in this area is common across government agencies to support various operational functions. Benchmarks for similar support services in overseas contingency operations can vary significantly based on location and scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to General Dynamics Information Technology, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were subcontracted or involved in this specific award, which is common for large prime contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting office responsible for the 160th Signal Brigade's support. Regular performance reviews and financial audits are standard procedures to ensure contract compliance and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Office Administrative Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Geopolitical risks associated with operating in Afghanistan and Qatar.
Logistical complexities of providing support across multiple, distant locations.
Lack of readily available performance data for effectiveness assessment.
Contract duration extends over a significant period, requiring sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $63.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF STAFF SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE LOCATED IN KUWAIT, AFGHANISTAN AND QATAR. SERVICES INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE, OPERATIONAL AND LOGISTICS SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE 160TH SIGNAL BRIGADE AND SUBORDINATE BATTALIONS.

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 Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $63.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-03-01. End: 2017-11-30.

What was the specific cost breakdown for administrative, operational, and logistics support under this CPFF contract?

The provided data does not detail the cost breakdown by service type (administrative, operational, logistics). As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. Understanding the allocation of costs across these categories would require access to detailed contract line item numbers (CLINs) and financial reports.

How did the geographic locations in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Qatar impact the overall cost and risk profile of this contract?

Operating in these regions presents significant logistical challenges, security risks, and potentially higher labor costs due to hazardous duty pay and remote location differentials. These factors likely contributed to the contract's overall value and complexity. The CPFF structure would aim to cover these variable costs while the fixed fee provides the contractor's profit.

Were there any performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established to measure the effectiveness of the support services provided?

The data does not specify performance metrics or KPIs. Effective contracts typically include such measures to ensure the quality and timeliness of services. Without them, assessing the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the support in achieving the 160th Signal Brigade's mission objectives is challenging.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W91RUS10R0028

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $63,254,245

Exercised Options: $63,254,245

Current Obligation: $63,254,245

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $2,547,183

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline