DoD's $26.7M ESS Basic Storage Solution Services Contract Awarded to VION Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,730,085 ($26.7M)

Contractor: Vion Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-02-08

End Date: 2011-02-07

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ESS BASIC STORAGE SOLUTION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.7 million to VION CORPORATION for work described as: ESS BASIC STORAGE SOLUTION SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value is $26.7 million over three years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The service category is 'Other Computer Related Services', suggesting IT infrastructure support. 4. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $26.7 million for three years of storage solution services appears reasonable given the scope. However, without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data for 'ESS Basic Storage Solution Services', a precise value assessment is difficult. The benchmark of $24.4 million suggests this award is within a typical range.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential bidders. This method is expected to yield fair market prices by leveraging multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it aims to secure the best possible price through market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures critical data storage infrastructure for the Department of Defense. Supports the operational readiness and information management capabilities of the Defense Information Systems Agency. The services provided are essential for maintaining secure and accessible data for military operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the solution is proprietary.
Limited insight into the 'basic' nature of the storage solution.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
Long-term contract duration (3 years) provides stability.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly data storage solutions, is a critical component of modern defense operations. Spending benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on scale, security requirements, and technology. This $26.7 million contract falls within a moderate range for enterprise-level storage solutions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award, and opportunities for subcontracting are not detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

The award as a delivery order suggests it might be under a larger IDIQ contract, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is responsible for managing such IT contracts, implying established oversight processes are in place.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Information Systems Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Vague service description ('ESS Basic Storage Solution Services').
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
No indication of small business subcontracting.
Potential for technology obsolescence over the contract's 3-year term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.7 million to VION CORPORATION. ESS BASIC STORAGE SOLUTION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VION CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-08. End: 2011-02-07.

What specific 'basic' storage functionalities are included in this $26.7 million contract, and how do they align with current DoD data needs?

The term 'basic' is vague and requires clarification. It could refer to standard file storage, block storage, or object storage without advanced features like deduplication, compression, or cloud integration. Understanding the specific functionalities is crucial to assess if the $26.7 million investment adequately meets the DoD's evolving data requirements and if more advanced, potentially cost-effective solutions were overlooked.

Given the firm fixed price, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the vendor, VION Corporation, maintains service quality and security throughout the contract's duration?

While a firm fixed price contract controls costs, it's essential to understand the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and performance metrics tied to this contract. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) likely has established quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs) to monitor VION Corporation's performance, including uptime, data integrity, and security compliance. Regular audits and performance reviews would be critical to ensure the vendor meets contractual obligations.

How does the pricing of this $26.7 million contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar enterprise storage solutions, considering the 'full and open competition' award?

The provided benchmark of $24.4 million offers a preliminary comparison, suggesting the $26.7 million award is within a reasonable range. However, a more thorough analysis would involve comparing per-unit costs (e.g., cost per terabyte, cost per IOPS) against other government and commercial contracts for comparable storage solutions. The 'full and open competition' should have driven competitive pricing, but the specific technology and service level details are needed for a definitive benchmark assessment.

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

Solicitation ID: HC101306R2005

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1055 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST NW STE 406, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,730,085

Exercised Options: $26,730,085

Current Obligation: $26,730,085

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC101307D2009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline