General Dynamics IT awarded $31.3M for NOAA's R&D HPC transition services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,267,962 ($31.3M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2010-08-26

End Date: 2014-05-06

Contract Duration: 1,349 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: R&D HPC TRANSITION SERVICES FOR ESRL, GFDL, AND NCEP.

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $31.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: R&D HPC TRANSITION SERVICES FOR ESRL, GFDL, AND NCEP. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical research infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Performance period of nearly four years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and define scope clearly. 5. This contract supports essential climate and weather research functions. 6. The award was made under a full and open competition, suggesting broad market access.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.3 million over approximately 3.7 years averages to about $8.45 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT services contracts for large-scale research infrastructure is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the government aimed to secure predictable costs for these transition services. The total award amount appears reasonable for supporting complex research computing environments.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open nature of the competition suggests that the agency sought the best value from the broadest possible market.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and improved service delivery.

Public Impact

Benefits NOAA's research divisions (ESRL, GFDL, NCEP) by ensuring smooth transitions for High-Performance Computing (HPC) resources. Enables continued advancement in climate modeling, weather forecasting, and environmental research. Supports the scientific community relying on accurate and timely data from these research centers. Indirectly impacts the public through improved weather warnings and climate change understanding. The services likely involve skilled IT professionals, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the tech sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if transition complexities are underestimated.
Risk of vendor lock-in if transition services are not well-defined for future support.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical research computing infrastructure transition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage budget predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long performance period allows for thorough implementation and knowledge transfer.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services for high-performance computing environments. The market for such specialized IT support is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing these complex services. NOAA's spending on HPC transition services is crucial for maintaining its cutting-edge research capabilities, which are vital for national interests in climate and weather science. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and complexity of the HPC systems being transitioned.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc., a large business, there is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain or if subcontracting goals were met.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a firm-fixed-price award, which inherently provides a degree of cost control. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the technical point of contact within NOAA, ensuring that the transition services are delivered according to the contract's specifications and schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be public.

Related Government Programs

NOAA High-Performance Computing Modernization Program
Climate and Global Change Research
Weather and Air Quality Research
National Science Foundation Supercomputing Centers
Department of Energy High-Performance Computing

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if transition is not seamless.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical research systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $31.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. R&D HPC TRANSITION SERVICES FOR ESRL, GFDL, AND NCEP.

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 Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-26. End: 2014-05-06.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. in supporting large-scale federal IT infrastructure transitions?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record of supporting complex IT infrastructure projects for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, NASA, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Their experience often includes managing large-scale data centers, cloud migrations, and high-performance computing environments. For NOAA specifically, GDIT has held numerous contracts related to IT services, data management, and scientific computing. Their history suggests a capacity to handle the technical demands and scale required for HPC transition services, though the success of any specific project depends on detailed execution and contract management.

How does the $31.3 million award compare to similar HPC transition service contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

Direct comparison of the $31.3 million award for NOAA's R&D HPC transition services is difficult without granular data on the scope, duration, and specific technologies involved. However, large-scale HPC modernization and transition projects for federal research agencies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. For instance, contracts supporting NSF's XSEDE program or DOE's supercomputing initiatives often involve significant investments. The $31.3 million for this NOAA contract appears to be a substantial but not extraordinary figure for a multi-year transition of critical research computing infrastructure, suggesting a moderate to large-scale undertaking.

What are the primary risks associated with transitioning High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure for research environments like NOAA's?

Transitioning HPC infrastructure presents several key risks. Technical risks include compatibility issues between new hardware/software and existing research applications, data migration integrity, and ensuring minimal downtime for critical research operations. Operational risks involve the learning curve for new systems, potential performance degradation during the transition phase, and the need for specialized expertise. Schedule risks are common due to the complexity of large systems, and cost risks can arise from unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep. For NOAA, ensuring the continuity of climate and weather modeling is paramount, making any disruption particularly impactful.

How effective are firm-fixed-price contracts in managing the costs and risks of complex IT transitions like this one?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are designed to provide cost certainty for the government by establishing a set price for the defined scope of work. This structure places the risk of cost overruns on the contractor. For IT transitions, FFP can be effective if the scope of work is very well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. However, complex transitions often involve unforeseen technical challenges or evolving requirements. In such cases, an FFP contract might incentivize the contractor to cut corners to maintain profitability, or it could lead to costly change orders if scope adjustments are necessary. For this NOAA contract, the success of the FFP structure likely depends on the thoroughness of the initial planning and the contractor's ability to manage inherent complexities within the fixed budget.

What is the historical spending pattern for NOAA's High-Performance Computing (HPC) services and related IT support?

NOAA has consistently invested significant resources in High-Performance Computing (HPC) to support its mission-critical functions in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and environmental research. Historical spending patterns show a continuous need for upgrades and transitions to maintain state-of-the-art capabilities. This includes substantial outlays for hardware acquisition, software licensing, data storage, and the associated IT services for management and maintenance. The agency's HPC Modernization Program, initiated years ago, reflects a long-term commitment to advanced computing. Annual spending can fluctuate based on major upgrade cycles, but the overall trend indicates sustained, substantial investment in HPC infrastructure and support services.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,267,962

Exercised Options: $31,267,962

Current Obligation: $31,267,962

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCDG133010CQ0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline