VA awards $2.27M for Universal Design Platform as a Service, Grant Management, and Training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,268,667 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Etranservices Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-11-09

End Date: 2026-05-08

Contract Duration: 1,641 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BRAND NAME UNIVERSAL DESIGN PLATFORM AS A SERVICE (UDPAAS) GRANT MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, AND TRAINING SERVICES SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICKSBURG, FREDERICKSBURG CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22401

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.3 million to ETRANSERVICES CORP. for work described as: BRAND NAME UNIVERSAL DESIGN PLATFORM AS A SERVICE (UDPAAS) GRANT MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, AND TRAINING SERVICES SOFTWARE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical IT support for grant management and training. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of over 1600 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The awardee, ETRANSERVICES CORP., will provide UDPAAS services. 6. This contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' IT infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.27 million over approximately 5.5 years appears reasonable for specialized IT services including grant management and training. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This level of competition is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and ensuring the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition suggests a robust market response.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better price discovery and can result in cost savings for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs personnel will benefit from improved grant management and training systems. The services delivered will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of VA grant programs. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Veterans Affairs' operational scope. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT professionals to support the platform and services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the platform becomes deeply integrated without clear exit strategies.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical grant management and training software support.
Ensuring adequate knowledge transfer and documentation for future sustainment or transition.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract helps manage budget and prevent cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector (NAICS 541511), a significant segment of the IT industry focused on developing and supporting specialized software solutions. The market for such services is large and competitive, with many firms offering grant management, consultation, and training capabilities. The VA's spending in this area reflects a common need across federal agencies to modernize IT systems for administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary awardee is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed through the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. The firm fixed price contract type provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly detailed in this summary.

Related Government Programs

Federal Grant Management Systems
IT Professional Services
Custom Software Development
Government Training Platforms

Risk Flags

Performance Risk: Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT services.
Technical Risk: Potential challenges with platform integration and maintenance.
Cost Risk: While FFP, ensuring the initial price was truly competitive is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.3 million to ETRANSERVICES CORP.. BRAND NAME UNIVERSAL DESIGN PLATFORM AS A SERVICE (UDPAAS) GRANT MANAGEMENT, CONSULTATION, AND TRAINING SERVICES SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ETRANSERVICES CORP..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-09. End: 2026-05-08.

What is the track record of ETRANSERVICES CORP. in delivering similar UDPAAS, grant management, and training services to federal agencies?

A thorough review of ETRANSERVICES CORP.'s past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history with federal agencies, specifically looking for experience with Universal Design Platform as a Service (UDPAAS), grant management systems, and the provision of training services. Key indicators would include successful past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes on previous contracts, and the scale and complexity of projects they have managed. Understanding their expertise in custom computer programming (NAICS 541511) and their ability to meet the specific requirements of the Department of Veterans Affairs will be vital in assessing the risk associated with this award.

How does the awarded value compare to market rates for similar UDPAAS and grant management IT services?

To benchmark the value, we would compare the contract's total value ($2.27 million) and its duration (approx. 5.5 years) against industry data for similar IT services. This involves researching average salaries for IT professionals with relevant skills (developers, project managers, trainers), typical hourly or daily rates for consulting and software support, and the pricing structures of comparable contracts awarded by other federal agencies or large organizations. Factors like the specific functionalities of the UDPAAS, the complexity of grant management processes supported, and the level of training provided would influence this comparison. A detailed cost analysis or price reasonableness review conducted by the VA during the procurement process would offer insights into how this price was determined to be fair and reasonable.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks include technical challenges in integrating or maintaining the UDPAAS, potential scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined, and the risk of vendor performance issues impacting critical grant management functions. Mitigation strategies likely involve the firm fixed price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring and defined delivery schedules, are also critical. Furthermore, the full and open competition suggests a market where alternatives exist, potentially reducing reliance risk. A robust contract management plan by the VA, including clear performance standards and remedies for non-performance, would further mitigate these risks.

How effective is the UDPAAS and associated services expected to be in improving the VA's grant management processes?

The effectiveness will hinge on the platform's design, the quality of implementation, and the training provided. A well-designed UDPAAS should streamline grant application, review, and disbursement processes, enhance transparency, and improve data accuracy. Effective training ensures VA staff can fully leverage the system's capabilities. Success metrics should be established, such as reduced processing times for grants, improved compliance rates, increased user satisfaction among VA staff and grant recipients, and better data analytics for program evaluation. The long-term nature of the contract suggests an expectation of significant and sustained improvements in these areas.

What has been the historical spending by the VA on similar IT services for grant management and training?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar IT services related to grant management and training within the VA is essential for context. This would involve examining previous contracts for custom computer programming, IT support, and training services over the past several fiscal years. Understanding the trend in spending—whether it's increasing, decreasing, or stable—can indicate the agency's evolving priorities and investment in these areas. Comparing the current award amount to historical expenditures helps determine if this represents a significant increase, a continuation of existing investment levels, or a consolidation of services. It also provides a baseline for evaluating future spending.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10A22Q0008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 24 ONVILLE RD, STAFFORD, VA, 22556

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,268,667

Exercised Options: $2,268,667

Current Obligation: $2,268,667

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F421BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline