VA awards $15.4M contract for military records research support to LEFANT LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,445,632 ($15.4M)

Contractor: Lefant LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VBA OBI MILITARY RECORDS RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES PURCHASE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $15.4 million to LEFANT LLC for work described as: VBA OBI MILITARY RECORDS RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES PURCHASE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. Performance period spans 4 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 5. The award is a delivery order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The contractor, LEFANT LLC, is a relatively small entity based on the single award value.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.4 million over four years for administrative management and general management consulting services appears reasonable for the scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for military records research support is difficult without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The absence of readily available comparative data for this specific niche makes a definitive value assessment challenging, but the price seems within a plausible range for specialized support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the Department of Veterans Affairs sought the best value proposition available in the market for these critical support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through a robust bidding process and encourages a wider range of contractors to compete, potentially driving down prices.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved access to and processing of their military records. The contract supports the VBA OBI MILITARY RECORDS RESEARCH CENTER, ensuring efficient operations. Services delivered are crucial for research, claims processing, and historical record maintenance. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the center is located. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for administrative and research support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor effectiveness.
Limited public information on LEFANT LLC's past performance in similar large-scale government contracts.
The long duration of the contract could lead to potential cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contract addresses a critical need for military records research support for veterans.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of support functions for government agencies. This contract falls within the niche of specialized research and administrative support for historical and military records. The market for such services is driven by government needs for efficient data management, research, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific tasks involved, but the overall market for management consulting services to the federal government is substantial.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless LEFANT LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors. The award to a single entity, LEFANT LLC, does not inherently indicate a focus on promoting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring LEFANT LLC to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Operations
Military Personnel Records
Federal Records Management
Government Administrative Support Services
Research and Development Support

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Contract Value
Contractor Performance History (Unknown)
Scope of Work Specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $15.4 million to LEFANT LLC. VBA OBI MILITARY RECORDS RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES PURCHASE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEFANT 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 $15.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific nature of the 'military records research' services required under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'VBA OBI MILITARY RECORDS RESEARCH CENTER SUPPORT SERVICES PURCHASE.' While the specific tasks are not detailed, this generally involves assisting the Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) Office of Business Integration (OBI) in managing, retrieving, and analyzing military records. This could include tasks such as locating specific service records, verifying information, compiling data for claims processing, and supporting research initiatives related to veteran benefits. The classification 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' suggests a focus on the processes, organization, and strategic support for the research center's operations rather than direct data analysis or interpretation.

How does the $15.4 million contract value compare to similar support services for military records research?

Direct comparison of the $15.4 million contract value for LEFANT LLC's services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and the number of records or research hours involved. However, the contract spans four years (1460 days), equating to approximately $10.5 million per year or roughly $28,700 per day. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity and volume of records managed by the VBA OBI Military Records Research Center. Given the critical nature of veteran records and the administrative overhead involved in managing and researching them, this annual expenditure appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government support services, assuming efficient service delivery and competitive pricing achieved through the full and open competition.

What is LEFANT LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Publicly available data on LEFANT LLC indicates this is a single award contract valued at $15.4 million. Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database or contractor performance history reports, it is difficult to ascertain LEFANT LLC's broader track record. The award itself suggests they met the requirements for this specific contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if they have prior experience with the VA or other federal agencies, the size and nature of previous contracts, and their performance ratings on those engagements. The current data does not provide sufficient information to assess their extensive track record.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks include the contractor's ability to deliver services consistently over the four-year period, potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model is not strictly managed, and the risk of data security breaches given the sensitive nature of military records. Mitigation strategies are primarily embedded in the contract structure: the firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes cost control, and the full and open competition process aims to select a capable contractor. The VA's oversight mechanisms, including contract management and performance monitoring, are crucial for identifying and addressing issues proactively. Clear performance standards and reporting requirements within the contract would further mitigate performance risks.

How does this contract align with the VA's broader mission to support veterans?

This contract directly aligns with the VA's core mission by providing essential support services to the Military Records Research Center. Accurate and timely access to military records is fundamental for processing veteran claims for benefits, including healthcare, disability, and education. By ensuring the efficient operation of the research center, LEFANT LLC's services contribute to the VA's ability to verify service history, determine eligibility for benefits, and provide comprehensive support to veterans. This contract is therefore a critical component in the administrative infrastructure that enables the VA to fulfill its commitments to those who have served.

What is the historical spending pattern for military records research support services at the VA?

The provided data only details a single award for $15.4 million to LEFANT LLC. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze VA procurement data over several fiscal years, looking for contracts categorized under similar service descriptions (e.g., administrative support, records management, research services) and specifically related to military records. This would involve identifying trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of contractors (e.g., large vs. small businesses), and the competition levels for these services over time. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to establish a historical spending pattern for this specific service category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10D22Q0029

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 18027 DUMFRIES SHOPPING PLZ, DUMFRIES, VA, 22026

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,971,092

Exercised Options: $15,445,632

Current Obligation: $15,445,632

Actual Outlays: $10,615,863

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D00CK

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline