DOJ's $43.3M JABS O&M Contract Awarded to General Dynamics for Computer Systems Design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,302,064 ($43.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2011-09-20

End Date: 2022-03-31

Contract Duration: 3,845 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR THE (JBDEHE) FOR THE JABS PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $43.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR THE (JBDEHE) FOR THE JABS PROGRAM Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $43.3 million over 10 years. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Potential risk associated with a long-term, single-vendor contract. 4. Spending falls within the IT sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's pricing is based on Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without detailed service level agreements and specific deliverables.

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 award is a delivery order, and the specific pricing mechanisms within the Time and Materials structure warrant scrutiny for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the $43.3 million expenditure, with the effectiveness of this spending dependent on efficient service delivery and cost control over the contract's duration.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of the JABS program, critical for Department of Justice functions. Supports essential IT infrastructure and services for the agency. Long-term commitment may indicate a stable and ongoing need for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (10 years)
Time and Materials pricing
No small business participation indicated

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Supports critical DOJ program

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Information Technology sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The $43.3 million expenditure over a decade represents a substantial investment in IT operations and maintenance, typical for large federal agencies requiring continuous system support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). There is no indication of subcontracting plans for small businesses, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation in this significant IT contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's long duration and Time and Materials pricing structure necessitate robust oversight from the Department of Justice to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential overruns. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (10 years) may lead to vendor lock-in and missed technological advancements.
Time and Materials pricing structure poses a risk of cost overruns without stringent oversight.
Lack of small business participation noted.
Potential for performance degradation if contractor incentives are not aligned with agency needs over the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $43.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR THE (JBDEHE) FOR THE JABS PROGRAM

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 Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-20. End: 2022-03-31.

What specific IT systems and services are covered under the JABS program's Operations and Maintenance?

The JABS program's Operations and Maintenance (O&M) likely encompasses a range of critical IT functions, including system administration, network management, software updates, hardware maintenance, cybersecurity monitoring, and user support for the Justice Automated Booking System. The specific scope would detail the servers, databases, applications, and infrastructure components managed under this contract to ensure the continuous availability and performance of the booking system.

How does the Time and Materials pricing model mitigate or exacerbate cost risks for this $43.3M contract?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model inherently carries cost risks as it reimburses the contractor for direct labor hours and material costs incurred. While it allows for flexibility in addressing unforeseen issues, it can lead to cost overruns if not strictly managed through vigilant oversight, defined labor categories with capped rates, and clear task orders. Without robust controls, the $43.3M could be exceeded.

What is the long-term effectiveness of awarding a 10-year O&M contract for IT systems under full and open competition?

A 10-year O&M contract, even if initially awarded competitively, presents a mixed bag for long-term effectiveness. While it provides stability and ensures continuity of essential services, it risks locking the agency into potentially outdated technologies or less competitive pricing over time. The effectiveness hinges on built-in mechanisms for contract modernization, performance adjustments, and competitive re-evaluation points within the contract's lifecycle.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Qbase-Mcneil Integrated Solutions Rllp

Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $164,626,104

Exercised Options: $45,220,478

Current Obligation: $43,302,064

Actual Outlays: $10,879,205

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ11C2167

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline