Army's WMD support contract awarded to General Dynamics IT for $13.8M, spanning 5 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,864,232 ($13.9M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-10-19
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,808 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ARMY STAFF FOR COMBATING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WITHIN THE THREE PILLARS OF NONPROLIFERATION, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ARMY STAFF FOR COMBATING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WITHIN THE THREE PILLARS OF NONPROLIFERATION, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract provides critical analytical support for the Army's WMD strategy. 2. General Dynamics IT, a major defense contractor, holds this award. 3. The contract was competed using full and open competition. 4. Services encompass nonproliferation, counter-proliferation, and consequence management. 5. The contract duration was approximately 5 years. 6. This award falls under administrative management and consulting services. 7. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 8. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $13.8 million over nearly five years for specialized WMD analytical support appears reasonable given the complexity and criticality of the services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale analytical support contracts for defense agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it places the cost risk on the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The presence of multiple bidders typically drives down costs and encourages innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure specialized WMD analytical support at a fair market price, minimizing wasteful spending.
Public Impact
The U.S. Army benefits directly from enhanced analytical capabilities for its WMD strategy. Services delivered include research and analysis crucial for nonproliferation, counter-proliferation, and consequence management. The geographic impact is national, supporting the Army's global mission. Workforce implications include specialized analytical roles within General Dynamics IT.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex WMD analysis.
- Reliance on a single large contractor for critical strategic support.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
- Long-term contract allows for sustained analytical support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. The market for defense-related analytical support is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts. This specific award addresses a highly specialized niche within defense, focusing on Weapons of Mass Destruction, which requires deep expertise and often involves significant research and development components.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. While there is no direct information on subcontracting plans, large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support services. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for direct prime contracting were not exclusively reserved for smaller entities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Army contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense WMD Policy
- Army Staff Support Services
- Nonproliferation and Arms Control Programs
- Counter-Terrorism Support Services
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds 3 years.
- Contract value exceeds $1 million.
- Contract awarded to a large business.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, wmd, analytical-support, consulting-services, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, general-dynamics-information-technology, virginia, administrative-management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE ARMY STAFF FOR COMBATING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION WITHIN THE THREE PILLARS OF NONPROLIFERATION, COUNTERPROLIFERATION, AND CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT
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 $13.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-10-19. End: 2012-09-30.
What is General Dynamics Information Technology's track record with similar large-scale analytical support contracts for the Department of Defense?
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), now part of General Dynamics, has a long and extensive history of providing IT and professional services to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. They have held numerous large, complex contracts involving analytical support, cybersecurity, cloud migration, and mission support across various branches of the military. Their track record includes significant work in intelligence analysis, strategic planning, and program management. While specific performance details for every contract are not always public, GDIT is generally recognized as a major incumbent contractor with substantial experience in supporting defense requirements, including those related to national security and complex analytical tasks. Their ability to secure and perform on contracts of this magnitude suggests a proven capability and established relationship with government clients.
How does the $13.8 million contract value compare to other Army contracts for WMD analytical support?
The $13.8 million contract value for five years of WMD analytical support represents an average annual value of approximately $2.76 million. This figure is moderate when compared to the vast landscape of Department of Defense contracts, particularly those involving major weapon systems or large-scale IT infrastructure. However, for specialized analytical and consulting services focused on a niche area like WMD, this value is significant and reflects the high level of expertise required. Benchmarking against similar, albeit potentially larger or smaller, contracts for strategic analysis and policy support within defense suggests this award is within a reasonable range. The specific nature of WMD analysis, involving sensitive intelligence and complex scientific/policy considerations, often commands higher per-analyst costs than broader consulting services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Army?
The primary risks associated with this contract include the potential for the contractor to underperform in delivering the highly specialized analytical support required for WMD issues. Given the critical nature of nonproliferation, counter-proliferation, and consequence management, any lapse in analytical quality or timeliness could have significant national security implications. Another risk is contractor over-reliance, where the Army might become overly dependent on GDIT's expertise, potentially hindering internal capability development. Furthermore, there's a risk of scope creep, where the analytical requirements might expand beyond the initial contract scope, leading to potential cost overruns if not managed carefully, although the firm fixed-price nature mitigates direct cost increases for the government. Ensuring continuous access to cutting-edge knowledge and methodologies in the rapidly evolving WMD landscape also presents an ongoing challenge.
How effective is the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for this type of analytical service?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost overruns are manageable by the contractor. For analytical services like those supporting the Army's WMD strategy, FFP provides the government with cost certainty, as the total price is fixed regardless of the contractor's actual costs. This shifts the cost risk to General Dynamics Information Technology. However, FFP can be less suitable for contracts involving extensive research and development or services where the scope is inherently uncertain or likely to change significantly. In such cases, if the contractor underestimates costs or unforeseen challenges arise, they may cut corners on quality or seek contract modifications. For this specific contract, the Army likely determined that the scope of analytical support was sufficiently defined to warrant an FFP structure, aiming to lock in the total expenditure.
What are the historical spending patterns for WMD-related analytical support within the Department of the Army?
Historical spending patterns for WMD-related analytical support within the Department of the Army reflect a consistent and significant investment in addressing this critical national security threat. While specific figures for 'analytical support' as a distinct category can be difficult to isolate due to its integration into broader program budgets, overall spending on WMD defense, nonproliferation, and consequence management has been substantial over the past two decades. This includes funding for research, intelligence analysis, policy development, training, and the procurement of specialized equipment. Contracts for analytical services, like the one awarded to General Dynamics IT, are a component of this larger spending picture. Spending often fluctuates based on geopolitical events, threat assessments, and evolving policy priorities, but the underlying need for expert analysis remains a constant driver of federal investment in this domain.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
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: W91WAW07R0071
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation
Address: 6101 STEVENSON AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22304
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,903,693
Exercised Options: $13,898,495
Current Obligation: $13,864,232
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-10-19
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-07
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