GSA awards $17.7M contract to CGI Federal for Marine Corps operational test and evaluation support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,745,755 ($17.7M)

Contractor: CGI Federal Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SUPPORT FOR MARINE OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SQUADRON 1VMX1

Place of Performance

Location: YUMA, YUMA County, ARIZONA, 85369

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17.7 million to CGI FEDERAL INC. for work described as: OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SUPPORT FOR MARINE OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SQUADRON 1VMX1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to CGI Federal Inc. for specialized IT services. 2. The contract is for operational test and evaluation support for VMX-1. 3. No specific competition details are available, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is Custom Computer Programming Services, a critical area for defense operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $17.7M over five years for specialized IT support appears reasonable, but without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. Benchmarking against similar custom programming services is challenging due to the niche nature of operational test and evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This lack of competition may hinder effective price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. Without competitive pricing, there's a risk of overspending, impacting the efficient use of public resources.

Public Impact

Ensures critical operational testing and evaluation capabilities for the Marine Corps. Supports advanced technology development and readiness for military operations. Potential for increased costs due to lack of competition could impact overall defense budget allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of price discovery
Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

Supports critical defense mission
Long-term support contract

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511), a sector vital for developing and maintaining specialized software and IT solutions for government agencies, particularly in defense. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on complexity and customization.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to CGI Federal Inc., a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award, which could be an area for improvement in future contracting strategies.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract will be crucial to ensure that CGI Federal Inc. delivers the required operational test and evaluation support effectively and efficiently, especially given the limited competition. The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for managing this contract.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Lack of transparency in price discovery.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17.7 million to CGI FEDERAL INC.. OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SUPPORT FOR MARINE OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION SQUADRON 1VMX1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CGI FEDERAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific metrics are in place to measure the effectiveness of CGI Federal's operational test and evaluation support for VMX-1?

Specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data. Effective oversight would require clearly defined deliverables, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular reviews to ensure CGI Federal is meeting the operational needs of VMX-1. This includes assessing the quality and timeliness of their testing and evaluation reports and recommendations.

How can the government ensure fair pricing for this contract given the limited competition?

To ensure fair pricing with limited competition, the government should conduct thorough market research to establish a reasonable price range. Utilizing cost-plus-fixed-fee structures with detailed cost breakdowns, negotiating favorable terms, and implementing robust contract surveillance to monitor costs and performance are essential steps.

What is the long-term strategic value of this contract for the Marine Corps' modernization efforts?

This contract provides essential support for the Marine Corps' operational test and evaluation squadron, VMX-1, which is critical for assessing new technologies and systems before deployment. Ensuring VMX-1 has robust testing capabilities directly contributes to the modernization and readiness of the Marine Corps by validating the effectiveness and suitability of future equipment.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21R0029

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Timken Company

Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIR # 100, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,257,202

Exercised Options: $19,398,336

Current Obligation: $17,745,755

Actual Outlays: $-45,724

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA21D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline