Interior's $75.6M Software Engineering Contract Awarded to General Dynamics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $75,590,282 ($75.6M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-07-07

End Date: 2026-07-06

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IHS SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $75.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IHS SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for custom computer programming services. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 1460 days. 4. The total award value is $75,590,282.32. 5. This falls under the IT sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award value of $75.6M over four years suggests a significant investment in software engineering. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would be necessary for a precise value assessment, but the scale indicates substantial requirements.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive bidding environment.

Public Impact

Supports critical software engineering functions for the Department of the Interior. Ensures continued development and maintenance of essential IT systems. Impacts federal agencies relying on Interior's digital infrastructure. General Dynamics' role highlights significant private sector involvement in government IT.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term software development contracts.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software services.
Ensuring continued innovation and adaptation to evolving technological needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Significant contract value indicates a recognized need.
Long-term duration allows for sustained support and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area is crucial for modernizing government operations and delivering digital services. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically consider the complexity of the software, the level of support required, and the vendor's expertise.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were adequately pursued or mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the contractor meets performance requirements and stays within budget. The Department of the Interior's contracting officers will monitor progress and deliverables throughout the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns.
Long contract duration may not adapt to rapidly changing technology.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Potential for vendor lock-in if knowledge transfer is insufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $75.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IHS SOFTWARE ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

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 the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $75.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-07. End: 2026-07-06.

What specific software systems or applications will this contract support, and what is the criticality of these systems to the Department of the Interior's mission?

The contract supports IHS Software Engineering Support Services. While the specific systems are not detailed in the provided data, the significant award value suggests these are likely critical applications integral to the Department of the Interior's operations, potentially including data management, public-facing portals, or internal administrative systems. Understanding the criticality is key to assessing the overall value and risk.

Given the Time and Materials pricing structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and prevent overruns, especially over a four-year period?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts can pose cost control challenges. The Department of the Interior likely has established cost ceilings, labor hour limitations, and rigorous oversight processes to manage expenditures. Regular performance reviews and detailed invoicing scrutiny are essential to ensure the $75.6M award value is not exceeded without justification and that the work performed aligns with project goals.

How will the Department of the Interior ensure that the software developed or maintained under this contract remains secure and compliant with evolving cybersecurity standards?

Ensuring cybersecurity compliance is paramount. The contract likely includes specific clauses mandating adherence to federal cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST standards) and data protection regulations. Regular security audits, penetration testing, and contractor personnel vetting are crucial. The Department must actively monitor the contractor's security practices and update requirements as cybersecurity threats and standards evolve.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0422Q0123

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Wico Limited

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 100, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $98,088,660

Exercised Options: $83,402,747

Current Obligation: $75,590,282

Actual Outlays: $64,981,482

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $54,017,454

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F393CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline