Army's $119M Signal Center Training Contract: Critical Support for 9,000+ Students Annually
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $119,273,015 ($119.3M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2011-01-01
End Date: 2016-06-30
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $59.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE UNITED STATES ARMY SIGNAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE REQUIRES CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED TRAINING AND TRAINING DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBLIE SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT (MSE), JOINT NETWORK NODE (JNN), AND WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK- TACTICAL (WIN-T). THIS FUNCTION HAS BEEN CONTRACTED SINCE 1986 AND HAS CONTINUED TO GROW AS THE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND WIN-T HAS BEGUN FIELDING. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO 36 COURSES FOR ACTIVE ARMY AND RESERVE COMPONENT WITH OVER 9,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY.
Place of Performance
Location: AUGUSTA, RICHMOND County, GEORGIA, 30905
State: Georgia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $119.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: THE UNITED STATES ARMY SIGNAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE REQUIRES CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED TRAINING AND TRAINING DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBLIE SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT (MSE), JOINT NETWORK NODE (JNN), AND WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK- TACTICAL (WIN-T). THIS FUNCTION HAS BEEN CONTRACTED … Key points: 1. The contract provides essential training for mobile subscriber equipment and network nodes, crucial for modern Army communications. 2. General Dynamics Mission Systems is the incumbent contractor, suggesting potential for continued reliance. 3. The long history of contracting for this function (since 1986) indicates a stable, ongoing need. 4. The sector is focused on advanced communications equipment manufacturing and broadcasting, a critical area for defense.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $119M over its period of performance appears reasonable given the extensive training provided to over 9,000 students annually across 36 courses. Benchmarking against similar large-scale defense training contracts would provide further insight.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive sign for price discovery and value for taxpayer money. The specific details of the bidding process and number of bidders are not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing and ensures that the government receives the best value, maximizing taxpayer benefit.
Public Impact
Ensures readiness of Army personnel in critical communication technologies. Supports the fielding and operation of advanced tactical networks like WIN-T. Contributes to the modernization of military communication infrastructure. Impacts the training pipeline for both active and reserve components of the Army.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long-standing relationship.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical training functions.
- Technology evolution may outpace training curriculum updates.
Positive Signals
- Consistent delivery of essential training services.
- Supports a large number of military personnel annually.
- Contract awarded through full and open competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Defense sectors, specifically focusing on advanced communications training. Spending benchmarks in this area are highly variable, but large-scale training contracts for specialized military equipment often represent significant investments.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific involvement or set-aside for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating federal oversight. The duration and value suggest regular performance reviews and accountability mechanisms would be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Long-term reliance on a single contractor.
- Potential for outdated training content.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- High contract value requires diligent oversight.
Tags
radio-and-television-broadcasting-and-wi, department-of-the-interior, ga, delivery-order, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $119.3 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.. THE UNITED STATES ARMY SIGNAL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE REQUIRES CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED TRAINING AND TRAINING DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBLIE SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT (MSE), JOINT NETWORK NODE (JNN), AND WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK- TACTICAL (WIN-T). THIS FUNCTION HAS BEEN CONTRACTED SINCE 1986 AND HAS CONTINUED TO GROW AS THE COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND WIN-T HAS BEGUN FIELDING. THIS CONTRACT PROVIDES CRITICAL SUPPORT TO 36 COURSES FOR ACTIVE ARMY AND RESERVE COMPONENT WITH OVE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $119.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-01-01. End: 2016-06-30.
What is the specific cost per student for the training provided under this contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?
The total contract value is $119,273,014.70 over approximately 5.5 years, serving over 9,000 students annually. This equates to roughly $2.3 million per year. Without knowing the exact number of students per year and the specific training modules, a precise per-student cost is difficult to calculate. However, a rough estimate would be around $250-$300 per student per year. Benchmarking this against similar military or civilian technical training programs would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.
Given the long-standing nature of this contract (since 1986), what are the risks associated with potential technological obsolescence or contractor complacency?
The risk of technological obsolescence is significant, as communication technology evolves rapidly. The contract's duration and the incumbent's long history suggest a need for robust contract management to ensure training content remains current. Contractor complacency is also a risk; continuous performance monitoring, clear performance metrics, and periodic re-competition are essential to mitigate these issues and ensure the training remains effective and relevant.
How effectively does this contract support the Army's current and future operational communication needs, particularly with the fielding of WIN-T?
This contract is designed to provide critical support for the WIN-T system and other mobile subscriber equipment, directly addressing the Army's operational communication needs. By training over 9,000 students annually, it ensures personnel are proficient in using and maintaining these vital systems. The continued growth and development of the contract alongside technology suggest it is adapting to meet evolving requirements, thereby enhancing the Army's overall communication effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: RFQ529538
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp
Address: 8201 E MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, 85257
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $119,288,515
Exercised Options: $119,288,515
Current Obligation: $119,273,015
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0060N
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-01-01
Current End Date: 2016-06-30
Potential End Date: 2016-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-01-27
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