VA awards $3M+ for CMOP Systems Enhancement, Maintenance, and Integration Support to Mind Computing, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,056,325 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Mind Computing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-12-03

End Date: 2026-05-02

Contract Duration: 150 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONSOLIDATED MAIL OUTPATIENT PHARMACY (CMOP) SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND INTEGRATION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: NORWICH, WINDSOR County, VERMONT, 05055

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.1 million to MIND COMPUTING, INC. for work described as: CONSOLIDATED MAIL OUTPATIENT PHARMACY (CMOP) SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND INTEGRATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical pharmacy systems, indicating a need for specialized IT support. 2. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, suggesting a phased approach to system development. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. The duration of 150 days suggests a project with a defined scope and timeline. 5. The contract is for computer systems design services, a common need within federal IT infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.06 million for a 150-day period appears reasonable for specialized IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system enhancement and integration within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The specific nature of CMOP systems implies a need for tailored solutions, which can influence pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific details of 'exclusion of sources' are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but a competitive award generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved efficiency and reliability of the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) systems. Enhanced pharmacy systems can lead to more accurate and timely prescription fulfillment for veterans. The services delivered will support the operational backbone of a critical healthcare service for veterans. The contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission to provide comprehensive healthcare services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage budget predictability.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
Focus on enhancement and maintenance indicates a commitment to long-term system viability.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with significant spending allocated to system design, development, and maintenance. This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services category (NAICS 541512), a segment that supports a wide range of government operations. The VA's reliance on robust IT infrastructure for its healthcare services makes such contracts essential. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar system integration and maintenance projects within large federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As it was awarded under full and open competition, the primary focus was likely on obtaining the best value from the broader market. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting. The VA has an Office of Inspector General that could investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration IT Modernization
Federal Health IT Services
Pharmacy Benefits Management IT Support
Department of Veterans Affairs Enterprise Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical pharmacy operations.
Risk of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in enhanced systems.
Dependence on contractor for specialized system knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.1 million to MIND COMPUTING, INC.. CONSOLIDATED MAIL OUTPATIENT PHARMACY (CMOP) SYSTEMS ENHANCEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND INTEGRATION SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MIND COMPUTING, 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 $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-03. End: 2026-05-02.

What is the track record of Mind Computing, Inc. with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Mind Computing, Inc. has a history of receiving contracts from the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on past performance quality for this particular contractor would require deeper investigation into past performance reviews and contract close-out reports, their continued awards suggest a level of satisfaction or capability recognized by the VA. Analyzing the dollar value and scope of previous contracts awarded to Mind Computing, Inc. by the VA can provide context on their experience with the agency's systems and requirements. It is important to note that past performance is a key factor in source selection for many federal contracts, and repeated awards often signify a positive relationship or demonstrated competence.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar VA pharmacy system projects?

Directly comparing the cost of this $3.06 million contract for a 150-day period to 'similar' VA pharmacy system projects is challenging without specific details on the scope and complexity of those other projects. However, the contract's value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized IT enhancement and integration services for a critical system like CMOP. The VA manages numerous IT projects, and costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the specific modules being enhanced, the level of integration required with existing systems, cybersecurity mandates, and the urgency of the need. A detailed benchmark would require identifying contracts with comparable objectives, durations, and technical requirements within the VA's IT portfolio.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the VA?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical challenges in integrating or enhancing the CMOP systems, which could lead to delays or cost overruns if not managed effectively. There's also a risk related to contractor performance; if Mind Computing, Inc. fails to deliver the required services adequately, it could disrupt pharmacy operations, impacting veteran care. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in if the enhanced systems become highly proprietary or dependent on specific vendor expertise. Finally, cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the enhanced systems could pose a significant risk to sensitive veteran health information, necessitating robust security protocols and oversight throughout the contract lifecycle.

How effective are CMOP systems in supporting veteran healthcare, and how will this contract enhance that effectiveness?

Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) systems are crucial for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in efficiently processing and delivering prescription medications to veterans nationwide, especially those who are homebound or prefer mail-order services. Their effectiveness lies in centralizing prescription fulfillment, ensuring consistency, and managing large volumes of orders. This contract, focused on enhancement, maintenance, and integration, aims to improve the reliability, security, and potentially the user interface or data processing capabilities of these systems. Enhancements could lead to faster processing times, reduced errors, better inventory management, and improved integration with other VA healthcare IT systems, ultimately contributing to more seamless and timely medication delivery for veterans.

What has been the historical spending trend for CMOP systems support at the VA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for CMOP systems support at the VA would require a comprehensive review of past contract awards specifically related to CMOP maintenance, enhancement, and integration over several fiscal years. This specific contract award of approximately $3.06 million for a 150-day period is a single data point. To understand trends, one would need to aggregate spending on similar CMOP-related IT services, identify any patterns of increasing or decreasing investment, and note any significant shifts in contract types or awarded vendors. Such an analysis could reveal whether the VA is increasing its investment in CMOP IT infrastructure, maintaining a steady level, or potentially seeking to consolidate or modernize these systems.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 741 ROUTE 113, EAST THETFORD, VT, 05043

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, 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: $17,769,193

Exercised Options: $3,056,325

Current Obligation: $3,056,325

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10B21D1033

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline