DoD's $34M FY14 Prophet Sensor Buy Awarded to General Dynamics C4 Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,186,957 ($34.2M)
Contractor: General Dynamics C4 Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-01-29
End Date: 2015-12-24
Contract Duration: 694 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: FY 14 PRODUCTION BUY. PROPHET ENHANCED DISMOUNT SENSORS, ESRM MWO KITS, AND SSP MANPACKS
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $34.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: FY 14 PRODUCTION BUY. PROPHET ENHANCED DISMOUNT SENSORS, ESRM MWO KITS, AND SSP MANPACKS Key points: 1. Spending focused on enhanced dismount sensors and communication kits. 2. General Dynamics C4 Systems secured the contract. 3. The award falls under 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing'. 4. Risk is moderate due to reliance on a single vendor for specific enhancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $34.2M for a 694-day duration appears reasonable for specialized defense electronics. Benchmarking against similar production buys for communication equipment is difficult without more granular data on unit counts and specific capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific awardee for this production buy indicates that General Dynamics was the most competitive bidder at the time.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for a competitive procurement, aiming for the best value in specialized defense equipment.
Public Impact
Enhances soldier communication and situational awareness capabilities. Supports ongoing military operations with critical electronic warfare systems. Contributes to the modernization of Army communication infrastructure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in on future enhancements.
- Dependence on a single supplier for specialized components.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical defense modernization efforts.
Sector Analysis
This procurement falls within the defense sector, specifically related to communications equipment manufacturing. Spending benchmarks for such specialized systems are highly variable based on technological complexity and quantity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was awarded to a large business (General Dynamics C4 Systems). There is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided details.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded in FY14 with an end date in FY15, suggesting it has been completed. Oversight would have involved contract management by the Department of the Army to ensure delivery and quality.
Related Government Programs
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole awardee for specific enhancements.
- Potential for future sole-source modifications.
- Technology obsolescence risk.
- Dependence on contractor for sustainment.
Tags
other-communications-equipment-manufactu, department-of-defense, az, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $34.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, INC.. FY 14 PRODUCTION BUY. PROPHET ENHANCED DISMOUNT SENSORS, ESRM MWO KITS, AND SSP MANPACKS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 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 $34.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-01-29. End: 2015-12-24.
What is the specific technological advantage gained by these enhanced sensors and kits?
The enhanced dismount sensors and ESRM MWO kits likely provide improved target detection, electronic warfare capabilities, and secure communication for dismounted soldiers. The SSP manpacks probably offer robust, portable communication solutions for forward units, enhancing battlefield awareness and command and control.
What are the long-term sustainment and upgrade risks associated with this procurement?
Long-term sustainment risks include potential obsolescence of technology and reliance on General Dynamics for spare parts and maintenance. Upgrade risks involve the cost and complexity of integrating future technological advancements, potentially requiring new procurements if the current platform is not easily adaptable.
How effectively did the full and open competition process ensure optimal value for these specialized systems?
While full and open competition theoretically ensures best value, the actual effectiveness depends on the number and capability of bidders. For highly specialized systems like these, the field of capable competitors might be limited, potentially impacting the degree of price competition achieved.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 01
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $34,186,957
Exercised Options: $34,186,957
Current Obligation: $34,186,957
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T09DW401
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-01-29
Current End Date: 2015-12-24
Potential End Date: 2015-12-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-10-30
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