DoD's $19M R&D Contract for Systems Engineering Services Awarded to Galaxy Scientific Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,082,860 ($19.1M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2003-09-29
End Date: 2011-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,923 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: 200312!001048!2100!AB32 !USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0703DB011 !A!N! !N!Y601 !20030929!20031017!061323663!061323663!061323663!N!GALAXY SCIENTIFIC CORP !3120 FIRE ROAD !EGG HARBOR TOW !NJ!08234!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHISE !ARIZONA !+000000080000!N!N!000000000000!R414!SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541330!E! !5!B!M! !A! !99990909!B!F!Y!A! !A!U!J!2!006!G! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200312!001048!2100!AB32 !USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0703DB011 !A!N! !N!Y601 !20030929!20031017!061323663!061323663!061323663!N!GALAXY SCIENTIFIC CORP !3120 FIRE ROAD !EGG HARBOR TOW !NJ!08234!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHI… Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $19.08 million, was awarded for Systems Engineering Services. 2. Competition was full and open, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract carries a risk of potential cost overruns due to the firm fixed price structure. 4. The sector is Research and Development, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $19.08 million for Systems Engineering Services appears within a reasonable range for specialized R&D work. However, without specific benchmarks for similar R&D engineering services contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition contract.
Public Impact
Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process for this significant R&D investment. The contract supports advancements in defense technology through specialized engineering services. Galaxy Scientific Corp. is the prime contractor, responsible for delivering critical services. The contract duration of approximately 8 years suggests a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Firm Fixed Price (FFP) can lead to cost overruns if scope creep occurs or unforeseen issues arise.
- Long contract duration increases the potential for scope changes and price adjustments.
- Reliance on a single prime contractor for complex R&D services.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures a broad range of potential bidders.
- The contract is for R&D, potentially leading to technological advancements.
- The awardee, Galaxy Scientific Corp., is a specialized firm in this domain.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological innovation and national security, with significant government investment annually.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that the prime contractor is Galaxy Scientific Corp. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business subcontracting participation or set-asides for this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Defense, through the Defense Contract Management Agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. The firm fixed price structure and the competitive award process are mechanisms to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns under Firm Fixed Price (FFP) if R&D proves more complex than anticipated.
- Long contract duration (approx. 8 years) increases risk of scope creep and evolving requirements.
- Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical R&D services.
- Lack of specific detail on performance metrics and expected R&D outcomes.
- Potential for contractor to cut corners on quality to maintain profitability under FFP.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $19.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200312!001048!2100!AB32 !USA COMMUNICATIONS-ELECTRONICS !DAAB0703DB011 !A!N! !N!Y601 !20030929!20031017!061323663!061323663!061323663!N!GALAXY SCIENTIFIC CORP !3120 FIRE ROAD !EGG HARBOR TOW !NJ!08234!24670!003!04!FORT HUACHUCA !COCHISE !ARIZONA !+000000080000!N!N!000000000000!R414!SYSTEMS ENGINEERING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !1000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541330!E! !5!B!M! !A! !99990909!B
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 (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-09-29. End: 2011-09-30.
What specific R&D advancements are expected from these Systems Engineering Services, and how will their success be measured?
The specific R&D advancements are not detailed in the provided data. Success measurement would typically involve defined technical milestones, performance metrics, and deliverables outlined in the contract's statement of work. The agency overseeing the contract would monitor progress against these criteria to ensure the R&D objectives are being met effectively and efficiently.
Given the firm fixed price, what mechanisms are in place to manage potential cost increases if unforeseen technical challenges arise during the R&D process?
While a firm fixed price aims to cap costs, unforeseen technical challenges in R&D can strain this. Mechanisms might include strict change control processes, detailed technical reviews to identify issues early, and potentially contract modifications if the government agrees to scope changes. However, the contractor bears the primary risk of cost overruns under FFP.
How does the $19.08 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar Systems Engineering Services in the R&D sector?
Comparing this $19.08 million contract value requires access to proprietary industry data or specialized cost estimation tools. Benchmarking would involve analyzing the scope, complexity, duration, and specific technical requirements against similar government or commercial R&D contracts. Without such data, it's difficult to definitively state if the price is high or low relative to industry standards.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: SRA International, Inc. (UEI: 606261683)
Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DAAB0703DB011
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-09-29
Current End Date: 2011-09-30
Potential End Date: 2011-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-06-01
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