Homeland Security's $18.6M contract to General Dynamics Decision Systems for unspecified services awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,594,202 ($18.6M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Decision Systems

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2003-03-15

End Date: 2002-11-28

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS for work described as: Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to the lack of detail on services rendered. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. No specific risk indicators are immediately apparent from the provided data. 4. Performance context is missing, making it hard to evaluate the effectiveness of the services. 5. The contract falls under the broad category of IT or professional services, but specific sector positioning is unclear. 6. The award date precedes the contract start date, which is unusual and warrants further investigation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without knowing the specific services provided, it is impossible to benchmark this contract against similar procurements or assess its value for money. The raw dollar amount of $18.6 million is significant, but its appropriateness is entirely dependent on the deliverables. The unusual award and start dates also raise questions about the procurement process and potential inefficiencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This typically fosters a competitive environment, which should theoretically lead to better pricing and value for the government. However, the number of bidders is not specified, which would provide further insight into the actual level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting market competition, which can drive down costs and encourage innovation. This approach ensures that the government is not locked into a single vendor and can leverage the best available solutions at competitive prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the U.S. Coast Guard and potentially other components within the Department of Homeland Security. The services delivered are unspecified, making it impossible to detail the exact benefits. The geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of the Department of Homeland Security. Workforce implications are unknown without understanding the nature of the services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of service description hinders assessment of contractor performance and value.
Unusual award and start dates suggest potential process issues or delays.
The unspecified nature of the contract makes it difficult to identify specific risks or benefits.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The contractor, General Dynamics Decision Systems, is a large and established entity in the defense and government contracting space.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broad IT and professional services sector, a significant area of federal spending. General Dynamics Decision Systems is a major player in this market, often providing complex solutions to government agencies. Benchmarking this specific award is challenging without knowing the service details, but overall federal IT spending is in the hundreds of billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless General Dynamics Decision Systems actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms and accountability measures are not detailed in the provided data. Transparency is limited due to the lack of information regarding the specific services rendered and performance metrics. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically apply to Department of Homeland Security contracts, but specific oversight for this award is not mentioned.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Services
Department of Homeland Security Professional Services
Coast Guard IT Modernization
General Dynamics Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Unusual award/end date discrepancy
Lack of service description

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.6 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-03-15. End: 2002-11-28.

What specific services were provided under this $18.6 million contract awarded to General Dynamics Decision Systems by the U.S. Coast Guard?

The provided data does not specify the services rendered under this contract. The contract number or a more detailed description would be necessary to ascertain the exact nature of the work performed. General Dynamics Decision Systems is known to provide a wide range of services, including IT solutions, systems integration, and support for complex defense and security systems. Without further information, it is impossible to detail the specific deliverables for this particular award.

How does the $18.6 million value of this contract compare to similar procurements for IT or professional services by the Department of Homeland Security?

Benchmarking the $18.6 million value is challenging without knowing the specific services. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) procures a vast array of IT and professional services, with individual contract values ranging from thousands to billions of dollars. For context, DHS's annual IT spending alone often exceeds tens of billions. A contract of $18.6 million could represent a significant project or a smaller component of a larger initiative. A direct comparison would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar service descriptions and scopes.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, given the limited information available?

The most significant risk indicator is the lack of transparency regarding the services provided. This ambiguity makes it difficult to assess performance, ensure value for money, and identify potential issues such as scope creep or unmet requirements. The unusual timing between the award date (March 15, 2003) and the end date (November 28, 2002) is also a notable risk indicator, suggesting a potential data entry error or a highly irregular procurement process that warrants investigation into its validity and adherence to regulations.

What does the 'full and open competition' designation imply about the contractor selection and potential pricing for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' designation signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, and any responsible source was permitted to submit a bid. This is generally the preferred method of procurement as it maximizes competition and is intended to result in the best value for the government. It implies that General Dynamics Decision Systems was selected from a pool of potential bidders, and the pricing should reflect market rates driven by competitive pressures. However, the actual number of bids received is not provided, which would offer a clearer picture of the competitive intensity.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar services by the U.S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security with General Dynamics Decision Systems?

Analyzing historical spending patterns requires access to detailed contract databases and specific service categories. General Dynamics Decision Systems is a frequent contractor with various government agencies, including DHS and its components like the Coast Guard, across a wide range of IT, C4ISR, and professional services. Without knowing the specific service code or description for this $18.6 million award, it's difficult to pinpoint exact historical spending trends for this particular type of service. However, General Dynamics has consistently secured substantial contracts, indicating a strong existing relationship and capability recognized by federal agencies.

Are there any known issues or concerns regarding General Dynamics Decision Systems' past performance on federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Homeland Security?

General Dynamics Decision Systems, as part of the larger General Dynamics Corporation, has a long history of contracting with the U.S. government. While specific performance issues are not detailed in the provided data, large contractors can sometimes face challenges related to project delays, cost overruns, or technical difficulties. A comprehensive review would involve examining past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports) and any documented disputes or contract terminations. However, the fact that they continue to win significant contracts suggests a generally satisfactory performance record overall.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL RD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 01

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,118,931

Exercised Options: $32,118,931

Current Obligation: $18,594,202

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTCG2302DNDRS02

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline