VA Awards $273M for Health Middleware and Data Management DevSecOps Support to Veterans EZ Info Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $272,928,587 ($272.9M)

Contractor: Veterans EZ Info Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-28

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 1,659 days

Daily Burn Rate: $164.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS TO IS FOR HEALTH MIDDLEWARE AND DATA MANAGEMENT (HMDM) DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92101

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $272.9 million to VETERANS EZ INFO INC. for work described as: THIS TO IS FOR HEALTH MIDDLEWARE AND DATA MANAGEMENT (HMDM) DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $273 million over nearly 5 years. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the long duration and critical nature of health data. 4. Sector is IT services, specifically computer systems design. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $273 million contract over almost 5 years for IT support appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT DevSecOps contracts for federal health agencies would provide a more precise assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of qualified vendors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure services at the best possible price for the government.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of critical health data management for veterans. Supports the modernization and security of VA's IT infrastructure. Impacts the daily operations of healthcare providers and patient data access. Potential for improved healthcare delivery through enhanced data systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration increases risk of scope creep or vendor lock-in.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical health data systems.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive health data.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award.
Clear performance period with defined end date.
Contract supports essential VA healthcare operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically computer systems design services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, focusing on modernization, cybersecurity, and data management for critical government functions like healthcare.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of small business set-asides or participation in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The contract's duration and critical nature necessitate robust monitoring of performance, security, and adherence to budget to ensure accountability and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Vendor lock-in potential
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Long-term dependency on a single provider
Complexity of integrated health systems
Potential for scope creep over contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $272.9 million to VETERANS EZ INFO INC.. THIS TO IS FOR HEALTH MIDDLEWARE AND DATA MANAGEMENT (HMDM) DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS (DEVSECOPS) SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERANS EZ INFO INC..

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 $272.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-28. End: 2027-04-14.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the performance of Veterans EZ Info Inc. in providing DevSecOps support for HMDM?

Performance evaluation will likely involve key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, security incident response times, data integrity, successful deployment rates, and adherence to project timelines. The contract's Service Level Agreements (SLAs) will define these metrics and the acceptable performance thresholds. Regular reporting and review meetings will ensure ongoing assessment and accountability.

How will the VA mitigate the risk of vendor lock-in given the long-term nature of this contract for critical health data systems?

Mitigation strategies may include clearly defined exit clauses, requirements for comprehensive documentation and knowledge transfer, and maintaining flexibility in future contract structures. The VA could also foster competition for subsequent contract phases or related services to prevent over-reliance on a single vendor and ensure competitive pricing in the long run.

What is the anticipated impact of this contract on the VA's ability to deliver timely and secure healthcare services to veterans?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the VA's ability to deliver secure and efficient healthcare services by ensuring the robust operation, security, and development of its Health Middleware and Data Management systems. Improved data accessibility and system reliability should lead to better-informed clinical decisions, streamlined administrative processes, and ultimately, a more positive experience for veterans accessing care.

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 - APLLICATIONS

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

Address: 1901 1ST AVENUE, SUITE 192, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $414,836,106

Exercised Options: $272,928,587

Current Obligation: $272,928,587

Actual Outlays: $145,395,351

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 19

Total Subaward Amount: $133,397,619

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11816D1028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline