DoD's $11.2M Data Engineering Contract Awarded to Dynamics Research Corporation for Custom Computer Programming
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,242,380 ($11.2M)
Contractor: Dynamics Research Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-03-01
End Date: 2010-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,401 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: DATA ENGINEERING & MODELING - LABOR
Place of Performance
Location: SCOTT AFB, SAINT CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.2 million to DYNAMICS RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: DATA ENGINEERING & MODELING - LABOR Key points: 1. Contract value of over $11 million for data engineering and modeling services. 2. Awarded to Dynamics Research Corporation, a significant player in government contracting. 3. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration of over 3 years indicates a substantial, long-term need. 5. Delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, typical for task-based work. 6. Services fall under custom computer programming, a critical area for defense operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $11.2 million over approximately three years suggests a moderate investment in data engineering services. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to definitively benchmark its value for money. However, the use of a Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Comparing this to similar data engineering contracts within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive and if the services delivered represent a good return on investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding environment, which typically fosters price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing. The fact that it was a delivery order implies it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, where multiple vendors might have been considered. The presence of two bids (no: 2) is on the lower side for full and open competition, which might warrant further investigation into the reasons for limited bidder participation.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs. However, with only two bids received, the competitive pressure might have been less intense than ideal, potentially impacting the final price achieved for the government.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense (DoD) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical data engineering and modeling support. Services delivered include custom computer programming to enhance data capabilities. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Illinois (IL), where the work is performed. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged in defense-related data projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited number of bids (2) for a full and open competition may indicate potential barriers to entry or insufficient outreach.
- Time and Materials pricing structure can pose a risk of cost escalation if not meticulously monitored.
- Lack of specific details on performance outcomes makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness and value delivered.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting an effort to maximize market participation.
- Contract supports critical data engineering and modeling functions for a major federal agency.
- Longer contract duration (over 3 years) implies a sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services. The market for data engineering and modeling is substantial and growing, driven by the increasing volume of data generated across all industries, including government. Federal spending in this area is crucial for modernizing operations, enhancing analytical capabilities, and improving decision-making. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale IT services contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies for similar custom programming and data management solutions.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through this award. The primary contractor, Dynamics Research Corporation, would determine its own subcontracting strategy. The absence of a set-aside means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win the entire award, which could limit opportunities for small businesses to participate directly in this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the USTRANSCOM contracting office within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or reported concerning the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- IT Professional Services
- Data Management and Analysis
- Defense Information Technology Support
- Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited number of bidders for full and open competition.
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.
Tags
it, defense, custom-computer-programming-services, data-engineering, dynamics-research-corporation, ustranscom, department-of-defense, illinois, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $11.2 million to DYNAMICS RESEARCH CORPORATION. DATA ENGINEERING & MODELING - LABOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DYNAMICS RESEARCH CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-03-01. End: 2010-12-31.
What is the track record of Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) in performing similar data engineering and custom programming services for the federal government?
Dynamics Research Corporation (DRC) has a history of performing IT services for the federal government, including custom computer programming and data-related solutions. While specific details of their past performance on contracts of this exact nature and scale would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports, DRC has been a significant contractor across various agencies. Their experience likely encompasses a range of IT modernization, software development, and systems integration projects. Evaluating their past performance would involve examining contract awards, completion success rates, any documented performance issues or commendations, and their ability to meet technical and schedule requirements on previous engagements. This context is crucial for understanding their capability to deliver on the current $11.2 million contract.
How does the $11.2 million contract value compare to other federal spending on data engineering and custom programming services?
The $11.2 million contract value for data engineering and custom programming services awarded to Dynamics Research Corporation is a moderate-sized award within the broader federal IT landscape. Federal spending on IT services, particularly in areas like data engineering, custom software development, and advanced analytics, often runs into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars annually across agencies like the Department of Defense, GSA, and HHS. This specific contract represents a focused investment for USTRANSCOM. To benchmark effectively, one would compare it against similar task orders or contracts for custom computer programming (NAICS 541511) or data services awarded within the last 1-3 years, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and the specific agency's needs. Without such direct comparisons, it's difficult to definitively label it as high or low relative to the market.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for custom computer programming services?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Dynamics Research Corporation, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The government pays for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined, if the contractor's efficiency is low, or if the project scope creeps without adequate oversight. For custom computer programming, where the exact development path and effort can be unpredictable, T&M requires rigorous monitoring of hours, rates, and material costs by the government contracting officer's representative (COR). Without strong oversight and clear milestones, the government risks paying more than anticipated for the delivered services, potentially diminishing the overall value for money.
Given the contract was a delivery order, what does this imply about the underlying contract vehicle and competition?
A delivery order signifies that this $11.2 million award was placed against a larger, pre-existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar type of multiple-award contract. These vehicles are typically established through a prior full and open competition, allowing multiple vendors to be awarded contracts to provide services over a set period. Individual delivery orders are then issued for specific requirements as they arise. This approach allows agencies to procure services more efficiently. However, the competition for the delivery order itself might be limited to the awardees of the parent IDIQ contract. In this case, the fact that it was a 'delivery order' and not a standalone contract suggests that the initial competition happened when the parent contract was awarded, and this order represents a specific task within that framework.
How does the geographic location (Illinois) impact the delivery of these data engineering services for USTRANSCOM?
The contract specifies Illinois (IL) as the place of performance, indicating that the data engineering and custom programming work will be conducted from this location. For USTRANSCOM, which is headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, having services performed within the state can offer logistical advantages, potentially facilitating easier communication, site visits, and collaboration between government personnel and the contractor's team. It may also align with state-specific IT workforce availability and potentially leverage local expertise. However, in the realm of modern IT services, much of the work can be performed remotely, so the geographic concentration might be more about administrative convenience or existing contractor infrastructure rather than a strict necessity for the nature of the services themselves.
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
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: TWO TECHNOLOGY DR, ANDOVER, MA, 01810
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,287,380
Exercised Options: $11,287,380
Current Obligation: $11,242,380
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F4775G
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-03-01
Current End Date: 2010-12-31
Potential End Date: 2010-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-07
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