VA Awards $3.6M Disaster Recovery Service Contract to ThunderCat Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,622,885 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-04-30

End Date: 2027-04-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DISASTER RECOVERY AS A SERVICE (DRAAS) GATEWAY VIRTUALIZATION MODERNIZATION

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60617

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.6 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: DISASTER RECOVERY AS A SERVICE (DRAAS) GATEWAY VIRTUALIZATION MODERNIZATION Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical disaster recovery and gateway virtualization modernization. 2. ThunderCat Technology, LLC is the awardee for this IT service. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. This is a delivery order under an existing contract. 5. The contract duration is 5 years.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $3.6M over 5 years appears reasonable for disaster recovery as a service, especially considering the modernization aspect. Benchmarking against similar DRAAS contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently for essential IT modernization services.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of critical VA IT services during emergencies. Modernizes essential disaster recovery infrastructure for enhanced resilience. Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission by safeguarding data and systems. Leverages advanced virtualization technologies for improved performance and scalability.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single delivery order for a critical service.
Need for ongoing performance monitoring to ensure service levels.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Focus on modernization and improved resilience.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT services and infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for DRAAS and virtualization modernization vary widely based on scope and complexity, but $3.6M over five years for a federal agency is within a typical range for such services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and the awardee, ThunderCat Technology, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in this context. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has established oversight mechanisms for IT procurements. Monitoring performance against the service level agreements and ensuring compliance with contract terms will be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on a single delivery order
Need for robust performance monitoring
Complexity of integrating modernized systems
Ensuring continued small business participation in subcontracting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.6 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. DISASTER RECOVERY AS A SERVICE (DRAAS) GATEWAY VIRTUALIZATION MODERNIZATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC.

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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-30. End: 2027-04-29.

What specific modernization capabilities are included in this DRAAS contract, and how do they improve upon the VA's existing disaster recovery posture?

The contract specifies gateway virtualization modernization, implying an upgrade to the underlying infrastructure that supports disaster recovery services. This likely involves transitioning to more flexible, scalable, and potentially cloud-based virtualization technologies. The improvement lies in enhanced agility, reduced downtime during recovery, and potentially lower operational costs compared to legacy systems. Specific capabilities would detail the types of gateways, virtualization platforms, and integration points addressed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how will they be monitored to ensure effectiveness?

Key performance indicators and SLAs for DRAAS typically include recovery time objectives (RTO), recovery point objectives (RPO), uptime guarantees, and security compliance metrics. Monitoring involves regular reporting from the contractor, independent testing of recovery procedures, and audits by the VA contracting officer's representative. The effectiveness is measured by the contractor's ability to consistently meet or exceed these defined performance standards during simulated or actual disaster events.

Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, what was the justification for limiting the initial competition, and how was it ensured that full and open competition was achieved in the subsequent stages?

The 'exclusion of sources' typically refers to a scenario where a previous contract or requirement might have been limited, and this award is the result of opening it up. Alternatively, it could mean specific sources were excluded for documented reasons (e.g., performance issues on prior contracts). The justification would need to be documented by the agency. Ensuring full and open competition subsequently means the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible offerors meeting the criteria were allowed to compete, preventing undue restrictions.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thundercat Technology LLC

Address: 11190 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,622,885

Exercised Options: $3,622,885

Current Obligation: $3,622,885

Actual Outlays: $1,140,604

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD26B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline