NASA's $393M Supercomputing Support Contract Awarded to General Dynamics IT Shows Long-Term Commitment to Advanced Computing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $393,219,198 ($393.2M)
Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2007-08-01
End Date: 2018-07-31
Contract Duration: 4,017 days
Daily Burn Rate: $97.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NASA SUPERCOMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES (NS3) SUPPORTS THE SUPERCOMPUTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY NASA ADVANCED SUPERCOMPUTING (NAS) DIVISION, AMES RESEARCH CENTER (ARC), THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA).
Place of Performance
Location: MOFFETT FIELD, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94035
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $393.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: NASA SUPERCOMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES (NS3) SUPPORTS THE SUPERCOMPUTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY NASA ADVANCED SUPERCOMPUTING (NAS) DIVISION, AMES RESEARCH CENTER (ARC), THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA). Key points: 1. The contract represents a significant investment in NASA's advanced computing capabilities, crucial for scientific research and space exploration. 2. General Dynamics Information Technology has been the sole provider for these critical supercomputing services since 2007, indicating a stable, long-term relationship. 3. The contract's duration and value suggest a high degree of reliance on GDIT's expertise for NASA's supercomputing infrastructure. 4. Performance-based elements in the contract structure likely incentivize high-quality service delivery and innovation. 5. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code points to a broad scope of support, potentially encompassing hardware, software, and specialized technical assistance. 6. The contract's value, spread over more than a decade, suggests a consistent need for these services rather than a single large project.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's substantial value over a long period indicates a consistent and critical need for supercomputing support. While specific performance metrics and pricing breakdowns are not publicly detailed, the renewal and extension over nearly 11 years suggest satisfactory performance and value delivery to NASA. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts for scientific agencies would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness, but the sustained engagement implies a competitive and valuable offering.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that General Dynamics Information Technology has held this contract since its inception in 2007, despite initial full and open competition, could imply a strong competitive advantage or a highly specialized service offering that made them the preferred choice repeatedly. The number of bidders in the initial competition would offer more insight into the market's responsiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services, potentially leading to cost savings and better value.
Public Impact
Scientists and researchers at NASA's Ames Research Center benefit directly through access to advanced supercomputing resources, enabling complex simulations and data analysis. The contract supports critical scientific missions and space exploration endeavors by providing the computational power necessary for cutting-edge research. The geographic impact is primarily centered at NASA Ames Research Center in California, but the research enabled has national and global implications. The contract sustains a workforce of specialized IT professionals, contributing to the high-tech sector's employment landscape.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long-term sole-source provider status, even if initially competed, can reduce future competitive pressure and potentially lead to price increases over time.
- The broad scope of 'Other Computer Related Services' could mask inefficiencies or scope creep if not tightly managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for such critical infrastructure poses a risk if the contractor's performance falters or if they face financial instability.
Positive Signals
- General Dynamics IT's long tenure indicates a proven track record and deep understanding of NASA's specific supercomputing needs.
- The contract's performance-based structure likely ensures that GDIT is incentivized to meet or exceed NASA's service level agreements.
- The sustained award suggests consistent satisfaction with the quality and reliability of the services provided.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on high-performance computing and related support. The market for supercomputing services is specialized, involving a limited number of large technology providers capable of meeting the demanding requirements of government agencies like NASA. NASA's Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division is a leader in this field, and contracts like NS3 are essential for maintaining its cutting-edge capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in other large federal agencies with significant R&D or simulation needs, such as the Department of Energy or the Department of Defense.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides. Given the specialized nature and scale of supercomputing support, it is likely that the prime contractor, General Dynamics Information Technology, utilizes its own resources or subcontractors with specific expertise. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the subcontracting chain, which is common for large IT contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specifically the contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Ames Research Center and the NAS Division. The contract's performance-based nature suggests that NASA monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure service delivery. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed operational performance data is typically internal to NASA. Inspector General oversight would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse were identified.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Ames Research Center Supercomputing Resources
- Federal High-Performance Computing Initiatives
- IT Services for Scientific Research
- Advanced Simulation and Modeling Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long-term sole-source provider status
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Broad scope of services requires diligent oversight
Tags
nasa, supercomputing, it-services, general-dynamics-it, california, definitive-contract, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, research-and-development, high-performance-computing, federal-agency, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $393.2 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. NASA SUPERCOMPUTING SUPPORT SERVICES (NS3) SUPPORTS THE SUPERCOMPUTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY NASA ADVANCED SUPERCOMPUTING (NAS) DIVISION, AMES RESEARCH CENTER (ARC), THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $393.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-08-01. End: 2018-07-31.
What specific supercomputing services are provided under the NS3 contract, and how have they evolved since 2007?
The NASA Supercomputing Support Services (NS3) contract provides comprehensive support for the supercomputing resources managed by NASA's Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division at Ames Research Center. This includes a wide range of services such as system administration, hardware and software maintenance, network operations, user support, and consultation for scientific applications. Over its duration, the services have likely evolved to incorporate newer supercomputing architectures, advanced parallel file systems, enhanced visualization tools, and more sophisticated data management solutions to keep pace with the rapidly advancing field of high-performance computing and NASA's growing research needs.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to the value and impact of the supercomputing resources it supports?
The total contract value of approximately $393 million over nearly 11 years averages to roughly $35.7 million per year. This annual expenditure supports NASA's cutting-edge supercomputing capabilities, which are indispensable for a vast array of scientific research and space exploration missions. These resources enable complex simulations in fields like climate modeling, astrophysics, aeronautics, and planetary science, leading to discoveries and technological advancements that would be impossible otherwise. While a direct cost-benefit analysis is complex, the sustained investment suggests that the value derived from these supercomputing services significantly outweighs their annual cost, providing critical infrastructure for NASA's core mission objectives.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of General Dynamics Information Technology under this contract?
While specific KPIs are not publicly disclosed, performance-based contracts like NS3 typically include metrics related to system uptime and availability, response times for user support and issue resolution, successful completion of maintenance cycles, adherence to security protocols, and potentially metrics related to the performance and efficiency of the supercomputing systems themselves. NASA's contracting officers would monitor these KPIs to ensure that General Dynamics Information Technology is meeting or exceeding the agreed-upon service levels. Consistent renewal and extension of the contract strongly suggest that GDIT has met or surpassed these performance expectations over the years.
Given GDIT's long tenure, what are the potential risks associated with vendor lock-in for NASA's supercomputing support?
Vendor lock-in is a potential risk when a single contractor provides critical services for an extended period. For NASA's supercomputing support, this could manifest as reduced leverage in future negotiations, potentially higher costs if competition is limited in subsequent procurements, and a slower adoption of new technologies if the incumbent contractor's offerings are not cutting-edge. NASA mitigates this risk through robust contract management, regular performance reviews, and by ensuring that contract terms allow for flexibility and the incorporation of new technologies. The initial full and open competition for this contract also suggests NASA's intent to foster a competitive environment, even if GDIT has proven to be a strong incumbent.
How does NASA ensure the security and integrity of the data processed by the supercomputing systems supported under this contract?
Ensuring the security and integrity of data is paramount for NASA's supercomputing operations. Under the NS3 contract, General Dynamics Information Technology would be required to adhere to stringent NASA security policies and federal regulations governing data protection and cybersecurity. This typically involves implementing access controls, encryption for sensitive data, regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and incident response protocols. NASA's own cybersecurity teams and contracting officers would oversee compliance, ensuring that the systems supporting research data, mission-critical information, and potentially classified data are adequately protected against unauthorized access, breaches, and data loss.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp
Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $587,505,674
Exercised Options: $581,565,334
Current Obligation: $393,219,198
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-08-01
Current End Date: 2018-07-31
Potential End Date: 2018-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-17
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