DoD's $218.8M R&D contract to General Dynamics IT shows strong competition and long-term performance
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $218,837,779 ($218.8M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2014-10-31
End Date: 2020-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,161 days
Daily Burn Rate: $101.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $218.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. 2. Long performance period of over 6 years suggests sustained need and contractor capability. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Research and Development focus aligns with critical national security objectives. 5. Geographic concentration in Alabama may indicate specific R&D facilities or workforce needs. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, suggesting large prime contractor involvement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $218.8 million over approximately six years for R&D services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts within the Department of Defense is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests that the government secured pricing upfront, which is a positive indicator for value. The absence of reported cost overruns or significant modifications further supports a 'good' value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation implies a significant number of interested parties participated, leading to a strong price discovery mechanism.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives the best possible value through a wide range of offers and competitive pricing.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from advanced research and development capabilities. Services delivered likely contribute to technological advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Geographic impact is concentrated in Alabama, potentially supporting local high-tech employment and infrastructure. Workforce implications include skilled researchers, engineers, and technical staff employed by the contractor and potentially subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact of the R&D.
- Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
- Concentration in one state might limit broader access to diverse R&D talent pools.
- No small business participation noted, potentially missing opportunities for innovation from smaller firms.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition suggests a strong market response and competitive pricing.
- Long performance period indicates a sustained and potentially critical need for these R&D services.
- Award to a large, established contractor like General Dynamics IT suggests a track record of capability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. This is a critical area for defense modernization and technological superiority. The market for R&D services within the defense sector is substantial, with significant government investment annually. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large R&D contracts awarded by DoD agencies for similar scientific and technical services.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the data indicates no explicit small business participation (sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., likely performed the majority of the work. While this can lead to efficiencies with large-scale projects, it also means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this significant contract may have been limited, unless they were engaged as subcontractors by the prime.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program executive office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and compliance checks are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or reported.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
- Army Science and Technology Investments
- Advanced Technology Development Contracts
- Information Technology Research Services
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may pose a risk of technological obsolescence if R&D focus shifts.
- Concentration of work in a single state could limit broader national R&D ecosystem engagement.
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
department-of-defense, department-of-the-army, research-and-development, general-dynamics-information-technology, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, alabama, large-contract, it-services, science-and-technology
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $218.8 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD
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 $218.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-10-31. End: 2020-09-30.
What specific R&D projects were undertaken under this contract, and what were their key outcomes?
The provided data does not specify the exact R&D projects or their outcomes. The contract number (IGF TASK ORDER AWARD) and NAICS code (541710 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) indicate the general domain. To understand the specific projects and their results, one would need to access detailed contract line item numbers (CLINs), technical reports, or program management reviews associated with this award. These details are often found in agency-specific contract archives or through Freedom of Information Act requests, and are crucial for evaluating the true impact and success of the R&D investment.
How does the $218.8 million total value compare to similar R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Army in the same period?
Comparing the $218.8 million value requires analyzing other R&D contracts awarded by the Department of the Army between October 2014 and September 2020. Without access to a comprehensive database filtered by agency, contract type, and NAICS code for that specific period, a precise comparison is difficult. However, $218.8 million over six years represents a significant investment, suggesting a large-scale, potentially multi-faceted R&D effort. It is likely comparable to other major science and technology development programs within the DoD, which often involve substantial funding to maintain technological advantage.
What were the primary risks identified during the solicitation and award of this contract, and how were they mitigated?
The provided data does not detail the specific risks identified during the solicitation and award process. For a full and open competition, common risks include contractor performance, technical feasibility, cost overruns, and schedule delays. Mitigation strategies typically involve thorough pre-award evaluations of technical proposals and past performance, clear contract terms and conditions (like the firm fixed-price structure here), and robust oversight mechanisms post-award. The long performance period and firm fixed-price nature suggest that risks related to cost and schedule were likely addressed upfront through negotiation and contract structure.
What is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s track record with similar large-scale R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?
General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record of performing large-scale IT and R&D contracts for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. They are a major defense contractor known for providing a wide range of services, including research, development, systems integration, and IT support. While specific details for this particular contract are limited, GDIT's general profile suggests they possess the resources, expertise, and security clearances necessary for complex R&D efforts. Reviewing their contract history in FPDS or SAM.gov would provide further insight into their performance on comparable projects.
How has spending on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences by the Department of the Army evolved over the past decade?
Spending on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences by the Department of the Army has generally been substantial and consistent, reflecting a strategic priority to maintain technological superiority. While this specific contract represents a significant single award, overall DoD R&D budgets fluctuate based on national security priorities, technological advancements, and fiscal constraints. Analyzing historical budget documents and contract award data would reveal trends, showing periods of increased investment in areas like AI, cyber, and advanced materials, alongside sustained funding for core scientific research. This contract's value aligns with the significant resources typically allocated to such critical R&D domains.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 310 THE BRIDGE ST, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $228,656,762
Exercised Options: $218,837,779
Current Obligation: $218,837,779
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W31P4Q05A0028
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-10-31
Current End Date: 2020-09-30
Potential End Date: 2020-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-17
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