National Archives awards $59M IT support contract to General Dynamics, highlighting long-term service delivery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,060,318 ($59.1M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2003-10-01

End Date: 2009-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $59.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $59 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. The competitive nature of the award indicates potential for favorable pricing and service quality. 3. A duration spanning multiple years points to a need for sustained IT support and potential for contractor lock-in. 4. The contract falls under 'Computer Systems Design Services,' a critical area for government operations. 5. The award to a large, established contractor like General Dynamics suggests a focus on reliability and proven capabilities. 6. The contract's end date in 2009 indicates it is a historical award, useful for benchmarking past IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of approximately $59 million over nearly six years represents a substantial commitment to IT support services. While specific cost breakdowns are not provided, the competitive nature of the award suggests that the pricing was likely benchmarked against other bids. Without direct comparisons to similar contracts from the same period, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award mechanism generally supports fair pricing. The contract's duration implies a stable, long-term need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The 'full-and-open' competition suggests a robust process designed to solicit the best value from the market. The presence of multiple bidders, as implied by the competitive award type, typically leads to better price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms and services.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives services at a fair market price, driven by the pressure of multiple competing firms.

Public Impact

Federal employees across the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) benefit from reliable IT systems and support. The contract ensures the continuity and efficiency of essential IT infrastructure and services for NARA's operations. Services delivered likely include system design, integration, maintenance, and technical support for NARA's IT environment. The primary geographic impact is within the National Archives' facilities, likely concentrated in Maryland where the contractor is based. The contract supports a workforce of IT professionals employed by General Dynamics, contributing to the IT services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long-term contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in, potentially reducing future flexibility and cost-saving opportunities.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit opportunities for smaller, innovative firms to enter the market for these services.
The specific performance metrics and service level agreements are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the quality of service delivered over the contract's life.

Positive Signals

The competitive award process suggests a focus on achieving best value and fair pricing for the government.
Awarding to a well-established contractor like General Dynamics implies a focus on reliability and proven performance in IT support.
The contract's duration indicates a stable and predictable IT support environment for the National Archives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under 'Computer Systems Design Services.' This category encompasses a broad range of IT support, from initial design and integration to ongoing maintenance and technical assistance. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous large and small businesses offering specialized expertise. Government spending in this area is substantial, reflecting the critical role IT plays in modern agency operations. Benchmarking this $59 million award requires comparison with similar multi-year IT support contracts awarded by federal agencies during the mid-2000s.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded to a major defense and IT contractor, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities were mandated for small businesses, though General Dynamics may have utilized them. The focus appears to be on securing comprehensive IT services from an established provider rather than prioritizing small business participation through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment terms tied to successful service provision. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Information Technology Support
Federal IT Procurement
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules (potential vehicle)
National Archives IT Modernization Efforts

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration
Potential for vendor lock-in
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $59.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $59.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-10-01. End: 2009-03-31.

What was the specific nature of the IT support services provided under this contract?

While the contract falls under NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services), the specific nature of the IT support provided is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, contracts of this magnitude and classification involve a broad range of services. These could include the design, development, integration, and maintenance of computer systems and networks. It might also encompass technical support, help desk services, cybersecurity measures, software installation and configuration, and IT infrastructure management for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The duration and value suggest a comprehensive, long-term support agreement rather than a project-specific task order.

How does the $59 million total award compare to other IT support contracts awarded by NARA or similar agencies during that period?

The $59 million award for IT support services to General Dynamics by NARA between 2003 and 2009 represents a significant investment. During the mid-2000s, federal agencies were increasingly reliant on IT for core operations, leading to substantial spending in this area. Contracts of this size were not uncommon for large agencies requiring comprehensive IT support. For context, agencies like the Department of Defense or the General Services Administration often awarded multi-year IT contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts from that specific timeframe, a precise benchmark is difficult, but this award aligns with the scale of IT spending for major federal entities during that era.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific details on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a contract of this nature and duration, it is standard practice to include performance metrics. These would typically relate to system uptime, response times for technical support, resolution times for IT issues, data security compliance, and successful implementation of system upgrades or changes. The National Archives' contracting officers would have been responsible for monitoring General Dynamics' adherence to these SLAs, with potential penalties or incentives tied to performance outcomes.

What was the track record of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. with NARA or other federal agencies prior to this award?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) has a long history of contracting with various U.S. federal agencies, including the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Prior to this specific $59 million award in 2003, GDIT was a well-established provider of IT services and solutions across the federal government. Their track record would have included numerous contracts for system design, integration, cybersecurity, and IT support for agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, and others. NARA would have likely reviewed GDIT's past performance, technical capabilities, and financial stability as part of the competitive evaluation process for this contract.

Were there any significant challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract?

The provided summary data does not contain information about specific challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract. Contract performance issues can range from missed deadlines and budget overruns to technical difficulties or disputes over scope. Without access to contract performance reports, audit findings, or official complaints related to this specific award, it is impossible to detail any problems. However, given the contract's duration and the nature of IT services, it is plausible that some level of performance-related discussions or adjustments may have occurred between NARA and General Dynamics.

How did this contract contribute to the National Archives' overall IT modernization or strategic goals at the time?

This $59 million contract likely played a crucial role in supporting the National Archives and Records Administration's (NARA) IT modernization and strategic objectives during the period of 2003-2009. Federal agencies at that time were focused on upgrading legacy systems, enhancing cybersecurity, improving data management, and increasing operational efficiency through technology. This contract would have provided the necessary IT infrastructure, design services, and ongoing support to enable NARA to achieve these goals. It ensured the stability and functionality of critical systems, allowing NARA to better preserve, manage, and provide access to historical records.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NAMA-03-Q-0011

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Sterling Parent Inc. (UEI: 968838909)

Address: 4300 FAIR LAKES CT, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Hospital, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,323,306

Exercised Options: $62,323,306

Current Obligation: $59,060,318

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4594G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline