DoD's $12.8M R&D contract with General Dynamics Decision Systems for advanced weapons technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,882,410 ($12.9M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Decision Systems

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-09-30

End Date: 2008-01-13

Contract Duration: 1,566 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200312!000391!5700!GR15 !AFRL/MNK !F0863003C0120 !A!N! !N! !20030930!20080109!046863929!046863929!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYST!8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARICOPA !ARIZONA !+000000374787!N!N!000005087818!AC53!RDTE/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV !A5 !WEAPONS !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!N!U!1!003!E! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!C!N! ! ! !Y! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTTSDALE, MARICOPA County, ARIZONA, 85257

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS for work described as: 200312!000391!5700!GR15 !AFRL/MNK !F0863003C0120 !A!N! !N! !20030930!20080109!046863929!046863929!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYST!8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARIC… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for research and development in advanced weapons technology. 2. Significant investment in a critical defense sector. 3. Long-term contract duration of over 4 years. 4. Potential for follow-on work and technology maturation. 5. Focus on innovation and technological advancement in defense capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $12.8 million for a 4-year R&D effort in advanced weapons technology appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar complex R&D contracts in the defense sector suggests that this level of investment is within expected ranges for developing cutting-edge technologies. The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, while carrying some risk, is common for R&D where exact costs can be unpredictable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a competitive environment, which generally leads to better pricing and innovation. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of innovative solutions, ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Defense by advancing weapons technology. Delivers research and development services for next-generation defense systems. Primarily impacts the defense industrial base and specialized R&D workforce. Contributes to national security through technological superiority.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.
The specific nature of 'advanced weapons technology' may involve inherent risks and uncertainties in development.
Long contract durations require sustained oversight to ensure progress and alignment with evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contractor has a track record in defense systems, implying relevant expertise.
Focus on R&D aligns with strategic defense modernization goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on advanced weapons technology. The market for defense R&D is characterized by high specialization, significant government investment, and long development cycles. Comparable spending in this area often involves substantial sums dedicated to maintaining technological superiority, with annual government R&D spending in defense often reaching tens of billions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. As a large-scale R&D effort likely requiring specialized expertise and resources, it may not be conducive to small business participation as prime contractors. However, the prime contractor, General Dynamics Decision Systems, may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specific components or services, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and the relevant program office within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would include regular progress reports, milestone reviews, and financial audits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific technical details of R&D may be sensitive. Inspector General involvement would be triggered by allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Advanced Technology Development
Weapons Systems Development
Research and Development Contracts
Department of Defense Procurement
Aerospace and Defense Industry

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Technology Development Uncertainty
Long-Term Project Management
Sensitive Technology Classification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.9 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS. 200312!000391!5700!GR15 !AFRL/MNK !F0863003C0120 !A!N! !N! !20030930!20080109!046863929!046863929!001381284!N!GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYST!8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD !SCOTTSDALE !AZ!85257!65000!013!04!SCOTTSDALE !MARICOPA !ARIZONA !+000000374787!N!N!000005087818!AC53!RDTE/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV !A5 !WEAPONS !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541710!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS DECISION SYSTEMS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-09-30. End: 2008-01-13.

What is the specific nature of the 'advanced weapons technology' being developed under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' with a specific category of 'WEAPONS/WEAPONS-ADV TECH DEV'. While the exact nature of the technology is not detailed in the public record, it pertains to the development of advanced defense capabilities. This could encompass a wide range of areas such as next-generation missile systems, advanced targeting solutions, novel materials for defense applications, or electronic warfare technologies. The classification 'NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED' for the specific product service code further suggests the sensitive or proprietary nature of the R&D focus.

How does the $12.8 million contract value compare to similar R&D efforts in advanced weapons technology?

The $12.8 million contract value for a 4-year R&D effort in advanced weapons technology is a significant but not extraordinary sum within the defense sector. Large-scale R&D projects for cutting-edge military applications often span multiple years and can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, major platform development or system integration projects can far exceed this amount. However, for a specific technology focus within a broader R&D program, $12.8 million represents a substantial investment, suggesting a critical or high-priority area of development. Benchmarking requires access to more granular data on comparable projects, but the amount is consistent with specialized, high-risk, high-reward defense R&D.

What are the key risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for advanced R&D?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, especially for advanced R&D, is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Since the government agrees to pay all allowable costs plus a fixed fee, cost overruns directly increase the government's expenditure without a corresponding increase in the contractor's profit margin (which is fixed). This necessitates robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable. For R&D, where the scope and outcomes can be uncertain, CPFF is often used to encourage innovation and allow for flexibility, but it places a greater burden on the government to manage and monitor expenditures effectively to prevent excessive spending.

What is General Dynamics Decision Systems' track record in delivering advanced defense technologies?

General Dynamics Decision Systems (now part of General Dynamics Mission Systems) has a long-standing reputation and extensive track record in developing and delivering complex defense systems and technologies. Their expertise spans areas such as command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), cyber security, and mission systems. While specific details of their past performance on contracts directly related to 'advanced weapons technology' are not provided in this dataset, their overall portfolio and history within the defense industry suggest a strong capability to undertake challenging R&D projects. Government contract databases often contain performance ratings and past performance information that would offer a more detailed assessment.

How does this contract align with the Department of Defense's strategic priorities for technological advancement?

This contract directly aligns with the Department of Defense's strategic priority of maintaining technological superiority and modernizing its capabilities. Investments in advanced weapons technology are crucial for deterring potential adversaries and ensuring mission effectiveness in evolving threat environments. By funding R&D in this area, the DoD aims to develop next-generation systems that can provide a decisive advantage. The focus on innovation through R&D supports the broader defense strategy of adapting to new challenges and leveraging technological breakthroughs to enhance national security.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar advanced weapons technology R&D contracts within the DoD?

Historical spending patterns for advanced weapons technology R&D within the DoD are substantial and fluctuate based on geopolitical conditions, technological advancements, and budget allocations. The DoD consistently allocates significant portions of its budget to R&D, with a considerable amount directed towards weapons systems development. Over the years, spending in this category has seen billions of dollars invested annually across various programs and contractors. This specific $12.8 million contract represents a single project within this larger R&D ecosystem. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in funding levels, technology focus areas, and the distribution of contracts among major defense contractors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257

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

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline