VA awards $341M contract for IT DevSecOps to Accenture Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $341,114,478 ($341.1M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2020-06-16

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 2,144 days

Daily Burn Rate: $159.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LOAN GUARANTY SERVICE(LGY)DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS DEVSECOPS)

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $341.1 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: LOAN GUARANTY SERVICE(LGY)DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS DEVSECOPS) Key points: 1. Significant contract value for IT development and operations. 2. Accenture Federal Services is the sole awardee. 3. Potential risk associated with single-vendor reliance. 4. IT sector spending is substantial and growing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $341M over its period of performance appears reasonable for comprehensive IT development, security, and operations support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT service contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and development of critical VA IT systems. Supports the digital infrastructure for veterans' services. Potential for innovation in IT security and development practices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Single awardee may limit future competition.
Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm Fixed Price contract type controls costs.
Supports critical VA IT infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending in this area is crucial for government modernization efforts, with significant investments typically made in cybersecurity and system development.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, suggesting large prime contractors are handling this significant IT requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract type provides some cost control, but ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables is essential.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Reliance on a single contractor.
Potential for scope creep over the contract duration.
Ensuring continuous innovation from the incumbent.
Cybersecurity risks inherent in IT systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $341.1 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. LOAN GUARANTY SERVICE(LGY)DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY AND OPERATIONS DEVSECOPS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES 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 $341.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-16. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific scope of 'Development, Security and Operations (DevSecOps)' covered by this contract?

The scope likely encompasses the entire software development lifecycle, integrating security practices throughout, and ensuring operational efficiency and reliability of VA IT systems. This includes planning, coding, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance, with a strong emphasis on automated security checks and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure Accenture's success in this contract?

Key performance indicators would likely include system uptime, security vulnerability resolution times, successful deployment rates, user satisfaction scores, and adherence to project timelines and budget. Specific metrics would be detailed in the contract's performance work statement to ensure accountability and measure the effectiveness of DevSecOps practices.

How does this contract contribute to the VA's overall IT modernization strategy?

This contract is central to the VA's IT modernization by ensuring its core systems are secure, efficient, and adaptable. By focusing on DevSecOps, the VA aims to accelerate the delivery of new features, improve system resilience against cyber threats, and reduce the cost and complexity of IT operations, ultimately enhancing services for veterans.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $458,179,321

Exercised Options: $341,114,478

Current Obligation: $341,114,478

Actual Outlays: $217,452,029

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 180

Total Subaward Amount: $131,507,642

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F540GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline