Commerce Dept. Spends $65.5M on CSHARPS Implementation with General Dynamics
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $65,513,213 ($65.5M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2017-02-01
End Date: 2022-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,914 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF CSHARPS IMPLEMENTATION
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $65.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF CSHARPS IMPLEMENTATION Key points: 1. General Dynamics secured the contract for custom computer programming services. 2. The contract was awarded under a BPA Call, indicating a pre-negotiated agreement. 3. The total value of $65.5M over 1914 days warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness. 4. The absence of small business participation is noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $65.5M over nearly five years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar custom programming contracts is needed to assess if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded via BPA Call under full and open competition, this method suggests a structured procurement process. However, the specific price discovery mechanisms within the BPA call need further examination to ensure optimal value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this significant IT implementation. Ensuring competitive pricing and effective service delivery is crucial for responsible stewardship of these funds.
Public Impact
Significant federal IT spending on a specific system implementation. Contract awarded to a large, established IT services provider. Long contract duration suggests a substantial, ongoing need for these services. Potential for cost overruns or inefficiencies in large IT projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- High contract value over extended period
- Potential for scope creep in custom programming
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Firm fixed price contract type
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with benchmarks varying widely based on project complexity and duration. The $65.5M over nearly five years represents a significant investment for a single system implementation.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this award (ss: false, sb: false). This is a missed opportunity for federal contracting goals and may limit the diversity of solutions and innovation.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a BPA Call suggests an existing framework for oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance, adherence to scope, and cost controls are essential to ensure accountability for this substantial expenditure.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- Office of the Secretary Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- High total contract value
- Extended contract duration
- Custom programming complexity can lead to cost overruns
- BPA Call details on price discovery not fully transparent
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-commerce, md, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $65.5 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF CSHARPS IMPLEMENTATION
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 (Office of the Secretary).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $65.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-02-01. End: 2022-04-30.
Was the firm fixed price structure effective in controlling costs given the custom programming nature of the work?
Firm fixed price contracts aim to transfer risk to the contractor, but custom programming can be prone to scope creep. Without detailed performance data and change order history, it's difficult to definitively assess cost control effectiveness. Further analysis of project milestones and any modifications would be needed.
What specific risks were identified and mitigated during the procurement and execution of this contract?
While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, potential risks could include technical challenges, integration issues with existing systems, and contractor performance. The specific risks addressed during the BPA Call negotiation and subsequent task order issuance are not detailed in the provided data, necessitating further review of procurement documentation.
How effectively did the CSHARPS implementation meet its intended objectives and deliver value to the Department of Commerce?
The provided data focuses on contract award details and financials, not on the system's performance or achieved outcomes. Assessing the effectiveness requires evaluating user satisfaction, operational efficiency gains, and whether the system successfully met its functional requirements and strategic goals.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp
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: $65,513,213
Exercised Options: $65,513,213
Current Obligation: $65,513,213
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCSS130117BU0002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-02-01
Current End Date: 2022-04-30
Potential End Date: 2022-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-05
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