VA Awards $20.4M Bridge Contract for IT-OEESS Amidst TIS Contract Protest
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,442,544 ($20.4M)
Contractor: Salient Crgt, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office
Start Date: 2025-03-11
End Date: 2026-03-10
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO ESTABLISH A BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR IT-OEESS WHILE THE NEW TIS CONTRACT AWARD IS UNDERGOING A PROTEST.
Place of Performance
Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Government Accountability Office obligated $20.4 million to SALIENT CRGT, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO ESTABLISH A BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR IT-OEESS WHILE THE NEW TIS CONTRACT AWARD IS UNDERGOING A PROTEST. Key points: 1. This action establishes a critical bridge contract to maintain IT-OEESS services during a protest of the new TIS contract. 2. The contract is awarded to Salient CRGT, Inc., a known entity in the IT services sector. 3. The primary risk is the temporary nature of the contract and potential cost increases due to the protest. 4. The IT-OEESS sector is vital for government operations, requiring continuous support.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.4M for a 364-day period appears reasonable for IT systems design services, especially as a bridge. Benchmarking against similar bridge contracts is difficult without more data, but the price seems aligned with maintaining essential services during a procurement dispute.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is a delivery order under an existing structure, likely limited due to the urgent need to bridge services during a protest. This limited competition may impact price discovery, potentially leading to higher costs than a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the need for this bridge contract, which is a consequence of procurement challenges. While necessary, it represents an unplanned expenditure to ensure service continuity.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of essential IT-OEESS services for the VA, preventing disruption to operations. Addresses a gap created by the protest of the new TIS contract, maintaining system functionality. Provides a temporary solution while the VA resolves the TIS contract award dispute.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Bridge contract due to protest
- Limited competition for this specific action
- Potential for cost escalation if protest is lengthy
Positive Signals
- Maintains critical IT services continuity
- Addresses an immediate operational need
- Supports VA's ongoing IT infrastructure
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, crucial for government IT infrastructure. Spending in this sector is consistently high, with agencies relying on specialized firms for system design, integration, and maintenance to support complex operations.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses under this particular bridge contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is included or impacted.
Oversight & Accountability
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is involved due to the protest, indicating a level of oversight. The Comptroller General's involvement signifies a formal review process is underway, aiming for accountability in the procurement.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Government Accountability Office Contracting
- GAO, Except Comptroller General Programs
Risk Flags
- Procurement protest impacting contract award
- Bridge contract indicates a gap in planned procurement
- Limited competition for this specific delivery order
- Potential for increased costs due to urgency and protest
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT services during transition
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, government-accountability-office, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Government Accountability Office awarded $20.4 million to SALIENT CRGT, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTION IS TO ESTABLISH A BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR IT-OEESS WHILE THE NEW TIS CONTRACT AWARD IS UNDERGOING A PROTEST.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SALIENT CRGT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Government Accountability Office (GAO, Except Comptroller General).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-11. End: 2026-03-10.
What is the projected cost difference between this bridge contract and the original TIS contract award?
The exact cost difference is not immediately discernible without the details of the TIS contract award. However, bridge contracts can sometimes be more expensive due to their temporary nature and the urgency of the requirement. The $20.4M for 364 days provides a baseline, but a full comparison requires the TIS contract's value and duration.
What are the specific risks associated with maintaining IT-OEESS services under a bridge contract during a protest?
The primary risks include potential cost overruns if the protest extends beyond the bridge contract period, and the possibility that the services provided may not align perfectly with the intended long-term solution under the TIS contract. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in or reduced incentive for the bridge vendor to optimize beyond immediate needs.
How effectively will this bridge contract ensure the continuity of IT-OEESS operations for the VA?
This bridge contract is designed to ensure effectiveness by providing continuous support for IT-OEESS. Its purpose is to prevent any lapse in service, thereby maintaining operational continuity. The effectiveness will depend on Salient CRGT's ability to seamlessly manage the services and address any immediate needs during this transitional period.
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 › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 4000 LEGATO RD STE 600, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,564,117
Exercised Options: $20,442,544
Current Obligation: $20,442,544
Actual Outlays: $16,208,729
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 11
Total Subaward Amount: $2,092,030
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200004W
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-11
Current End Date: 2026-03-10
Potential End Date: 2026-03-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-06
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