Naval Air Warfare Center Training contract awarded to DynCorp Systems & Solutions for $138.2M for training aids and devices

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $138,229,880 ($138.2M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-12-26

End Date: 2008-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,952 days

Daily Burn Rate: $70.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200303!000068!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!GS09K99BHD0004H!C!N! !N!N6133903F1001P00001!20021226!20031231!046604849!003242013!009581091!N!DYNCORP SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LL!2727 HAMNER AVE !NORCO !CA!92860!51560!065!06!NORCO !RIVERSIDE !CALIFORNIA!+000001239899!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !561990!E! !5!B!S!B! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A! !J! !005!B! !C! ! ! ! ! !C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000! !B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: NORCO, RIVERSIDE County, CALIFORNIA, 92860

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $138.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: 200303!000068!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!GS09K99BHD0004H!C!N! !N!N6133903F1001P00001!20021226!20031231!046604849!003242013!009581091!N!DYNCORP SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LL!2727 HAMNER AVE !NORCO !CA!92860!51560!065!06!NORCO !RIVER… Key points: 1. Contract value of $138.2M over 6 years indicates significant investment in training capabilities. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The primary service category is 'Maintenance & Repair of Equipment/Training Aids & Devices', highlighting a focus on operational readiness. 4. The contract's duration of 1952 days (approx. 5.3 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The award was made to DynCorp Systems & Solutions, a contractor with a history in defense support services. 6. The contract falls under the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code, indicating a technology-centric approach to training.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $138.2 million over approximately 5.3 years averages to about $26 million per year. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for training aids and devices maintenance. Without specific comparable data, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money, but the duration and scope suggest a substantial and potentially efficient investment if services are delivered effectively. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs for the government.

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 a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, but two bids still provide a basis for price discovery and selection.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with two bidders, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a structured bidding process, preventing potential overpricing associated with limited competition.

Public Impact

Naval personnel and aircrews benefit from updated and maintained training aids and devices, enhancing their operational readiness and skill proficiency. The services delivered include maintenance and repair of specialized equipment crucial for realistic training scenarios. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting naval training facilities. The contract supports a workforce involved in the maintenance, repair, and potentially the development of training technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for all maintenance complexities.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting the availability and reliability of critical training equipment.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant period could limit flexibility in adopting new training technologies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Long contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these essential training support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense sector, specifically focusing on training and simulation technologies. The market for defense training systems is substantial, driven by the need for advanced and realistic preparation for military operations. Companies like DynCorp Systems & Solutions operate in a competitive landscape where maintaining and upgrading training equipment is crucial for readiness. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it to other large-scale training system maintenance and support contracts within the DoD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless DynCorp voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the Department of Defense's Inspector General. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Naval Training Systems
Defense Maintenance and Repair Services
Simulation and Training Equipment
Contractor Logistics Support
Department of Defense Training Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting training readiness.
Cost control risks inherent in long-term fixed-price contracts.
Technological obsolescence of training aids over the contract period.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical training systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $138.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. 200303!000068!1700!A8304 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!GS09K99BHD0004H!C!N! !N!N6133903F1001P00001!20021226!20031231!046604849!003242013!009581091!N!DYNCORP SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LL!2727 HAMNER AVE !NORCO !CA!92860!51560!065!06!NORCO !RIVERSIDE !CALIFORNIA!+000001239899!N!N!000000000000!J069!MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES !S1 !SERVICES !2000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !561990!E! !5!B!S!B! ! !99990909!B

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 (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $138.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-12-26. End: 2008-04-30.

What is DynCorp Systems & Solutions' track record with similar defense training contracts?

DynCorp Systems & Solutions has a significant history of providing services to the U.S. military, including aviation support, logistics, and training solutions. While this specific contract focuses on maintenance of training aids and devices, the company's broader experience in defense contracting suggests a capacity to manage complex service agreements. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance evaluations or contract disputes, would provide a more detailed picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering training support services. Their extensive portfolio indicates they are a well-established player in the defense services market, accustomed to the rigorous demands of government contracts.

How does the $138.2 million value compare to other contracts for training equipment maintenance?

The $138.2 million contract value over approximately 5.3 years represents a substantial investment. To benchmark its value effectively, it needs to be compared against similar contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other military branches for the maintenance and repair of training aids and devices. Factors such as the type and complexity of the equipment, the geographic scope of services, and the specific performance requirements would influence comparability. Without direct comparative data on annual spending for similar services, assessing whether this represents a particularly high or low cost per year (approximately $26 million) is challenging. However, the scale suggests it covers a significant portion of the Navy's training equipment maintenance needs in its domain.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks for the government include potential contractor underperformance, leading to delays or failures in maintaining critical training equipment, which could impact operational readiness. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract doesn't adequately anticipate all maintenance needs or if unforeseen technical issues arise. Furthermore, a long-term reliance on a single contractor could stifle innovation or make it difficult to adapt to rapidly changing training technology requirements. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for this type of specialized service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring fair pricing and access to the best available solutions, especially for specialized services like maintaining training aids and devices. It allows all qualified companies to bid, fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation. Even with only two bidders in this instance, the process still provides a structured framework for evaluating technical capabilities and pricing. The key to effectiveness lies in the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation criteria used by the agency to select the best value offer.

What is the historical spending trend for training aids and devices maintenance within the Naval Air Warfare Center?

Analyzing historical spending trends for training aids and devices maintenance at the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) would provide crucial context for this $138.2 million contract. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Understanding past spending patterns can reveal trends in technology adoption, outsourcing strategies, and the overall budget allocation for training support. Such analysis could highlight whether the government has consistently relied on large, long-term contracts or shifted towards more frequent, smaller awards, and whether spending has been driven by specific program requirements or broader modernization efforts.

What are the implications of the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code for this contract?

The assignment of NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' to this contract, despite its description as 'MAINT & REPAIR OF EQ/TRAINING AIDS & DEVICES,' suggests that a significant component of the work involves the integration, modification, or maintenance of computer systems that underpin these training aids and devices. This implies that the training equipment is heavily reliant on sophisticated software, networked systems, or digital components. Consequently, the contractor must possess expertise not only in hardware maintenance but also in software troubleshooting, system integration, and potentially cybersecurity related to these training platforms. This focus highlights the increasing digitization and technological sophistication of modern military training.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 2727 HAMNER AVE, NORCO, CA, 92860

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS09K99BHD0004

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline