General Dynamics IT's $25.18M contract for Battle Command Training Support shows a competitive landscape for IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,178,823 ($25.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-03-22

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,835 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: BATTLE COMMAND TRAINING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BRAGG, CUMBERLAND County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28307

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: BATTLE COMMAND TRAINING SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract value of over $25 million indicates a significant investment in specialized training support. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are assessed to understand pricing and vendor selection effectiveness. 3. Risk indicators are evaluated to ensure successful delivery and mitigate potential performance issues. 4. Performance context is crucial for understanding the scope and impact of the training support provided. 5. The IT services sector is highly competitive, with numerous vendors capable of fulfilling such requirements. 6. This contract falls within the broader category of IT and professional services for the defense sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking this contract's value against similar IT support services for military training is essential. While specific per-unit costs are not provided, the overall contract value of approximately $25 million over its duration suggests a substantial investment. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to market rates for similar services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the full and open competition suggests a degree of price discovery that likely contributed to a reasonable market price.

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 were invited to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderately competitive environment. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The fact that it was competed openly is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Special Operations Command personnel benefit from enhanced battle command training capabilities. Services delivered include computer systems design and related support for training environments. The geographic impact is primarily within areas supporting U.S. Special Operations Command operations. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT and training support personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if training requirements evolve significantly without contract adjustments.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical training system maintenance and updates.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving military operational needs and technological advancements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust vetting process.
Contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for these specialized services.
General Dynamics Information Technology is a large, established contractor with a track record in government IT services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and dynamic market, with significant government spending allocated to systems design, integration, and support. This contract for battle command training support fits within the broader defense IT services sub-sector, which focuses on providing specialized technological solutions to enhance military readiness and operational effectiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area often involve large, multi-year contracts for complex system development and sustainment.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to a large prime contractor like General Dynamics Information Technology suggests that the primary focus was on the capabilities of the prime. This may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract, though they may be involved in the broader IT ecosystem supporting the defense sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Special Operations Command contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including service level agreements and delivery milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though detailed operational oversight specifics are often internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Defense Training Systems Support
Military Simulation and Training
Information Technology Services for Defense
Special Operations Forces Support
Command and Control Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor expertise is not maintained.
Risk of technological obsolescence impacting training system relevance.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in training support systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. BATTLE COMMAND TRAINING SUPPORT

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 Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-03-22. End: 2014-03-31.

What is the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. with similar defense training support contracts?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a substantial track record in providing IT services to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, including complex training and simulation solutions. They have been a significant player in supporting military command and control systems, logistics, and readiness initiatives. Their experience often involves large-scale, multi-year contracts requiring deep technical expertise and understanding of military operational requirements. GDIT's history includes numerous awards for IT modernization, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT services, positioning them as a capable contractor for specialized support like battle command training. Evaluating their past performance on similar contracts would involve reviewing contract performance reports, any past performance questionnaires, and any documented issues or successes to gauge their reliability and effectiveness in delivering complex training support.

How does the value of this contract compare to other battle command training support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

The value of this contract, approximately $25.18 million, falls within a moderate range for specialized defense training support services. Larger, more comprehensive battle command systems development or sustainment contracts can easily exceed hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars over their lifecycle. Conversely, smaller, more focused training exercises or specific software module support might be valued in the single-digit millions. This contract's value suggests a significant but not top-tier investment, likely covering a defined scope of system design, integration, and ongoing support for a specific set of training capabilities. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scope, duration, and technological complexity awarded across different branches of the DoD and over comparable timeframes.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of IT support contract for military training?

Primary risks for this type of IT support contract include technological obsolescence, where the systems supported become outdated before the contract ends, requiring costly upgrades or replacements. Another significant risk is the potential for performance degradation if the contractor fails to meet stringent uptime, responsiveness, or training fidelity requirements, impacting military readiness. Integration challenges with existing or evolving military networks and systems pose a risk, potentially leading to interoperability issues. Furthermore, cybersecurity threats are a constant concern, as training systems often contain sensitive data or access critical infrastructure, making them targets. Finally, personnel turnover within the contractor's team can lead to loss of institutional knowledge and disruption of services, impacting the continuity and quality of support provided.

What is the historical spending pattern for Battle Command Training Support services within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on Battle Command Training Support services within the Department of Defense has generally been substantial and consistent, reflecting the continuous need for advanced training capabilities to maintain military readiness. This spending is driven by the complexity of modern warfare, the need to integrate diverse units and technologies, and the constant evolution of threats and operational environments. Over the past decade, the DoD has invested heavily in simulation and training technologies, including sophisticated command and control systems that require specialized support. While specific figures fluctuate based on strategic priorities, technological advancements, and budget allocations, the overall trend indicates a sustained and significant commitment to ensuring warfighters are adequately trained on the latest command and control doctrines and systems. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment.

How effective are full and open competitions in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized IT services like this one?

Full and open competitions are generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing for specialized IT services. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, this approach maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving multiple competitive proposals. This heightened competition pressures vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. The presence of multiple bidders allows the government to compare offers and select the one that provides the best value, often balancing price with technical merit and past performance. While a contract awarded under full and open competition doesn't guarantee the absolute lowest price possible, it significantly increases the probability of achieving a fair and reasonable price reflective of market conditions, compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 3211 JERMANTOWN RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,178,823

Exercised Options: $25,178,823

Current Obligation: $25,178,823

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS09K99BHD0001

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline