VA awards $6.9M for file conversion, highlighting need for efficient data management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,112,099 ($69.1M)

Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-06-13

End Date: 2025-01-15

Contract Duration: 216 days

Daily Burn Rate: $320.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FILE CONVERSION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $69.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: FILE CONVERSION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical need for digitizing and managing veteran records. 2. General Dynamics IT selected through full and open competition. 3. Short performance period suggests a focused, immediate need. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. area. 6. Service category aligns with broader federal IT modernization efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.9 million for file conversion services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an effort to establish clear cost expectations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale digitization projects would provide further insight into value for money, but the amount is within the expected range for significant data management tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests a healthy market for these services and likely led to competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price for essential file conversion services, ensuring funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved accessibility and management of their records. The Department of Veterans Affairs enhances its digital infrastructure. Services are delivered within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Potential for IT support roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration (216 days) may indicate a need for rapid deployment and potential for follow-on work if successful.
Limited information on specific file types and conversion complexity makes it difficult to fully assess the technical challenge.
Reliance on a single award without details on other bids limits understanding of the competitive landscape.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Addresses a clear need for data management within a critical agency (VA).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting. The market for file conversion and digital archiving is substantial, driven by federal mandates for digitization and records management. Comparable spending benchmarks exist for large-scale data migration and conversion projects across government agencies, often involving significant investments in secure infrastructure and specialized software.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall offer, and the impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a fixed-price contract, financial oversight will focus on ensuring deliverables are met within the agreed-upon price. The Department of Veterans Affairs has internal oversight mechanisms, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) can review protests. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though specific performance metrics are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

VA Electronic Health Record Modernization
Federal Records Management
Digital Transformation Initiatives
IT Infrastructure Modernization

Risk Flags

Short Performance Period
Limited Scope Detail
Potential for Data Integrity Issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $69.1 million to GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, INC.. FILE CONVERSION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENERAL DYNAMICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, 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 $69.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-13. End: 2025-01-15.

What is the specific nature of the file conversion services required under this contract?

The contract data indicates the service category is 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' (NAICS 518210). While the specific 'FILE CONVERSION SERVICES' is mentioned, the exact types of files (e.g., paper documents, legacy digital formats, audio/video) and the required output formats are not detailed in the provided summary. This level of detail is crucial for understanding the complexity, technical requirements, and potential risks associated with the conversion process. Further analysis would require examining the contract's statement of work (SOW) to ascertain the scope, volume, and any specialized handling or security protocols needed for the data.

How does the $6.9 million contract value compare to similar file conversion projects within the federal government?

Directly comparing the $6.9 million value requires access to detailed statements of work for similar projects. However, large-scale digitization and file conversion efforts within federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the volume of records, complexity of formats, and required security measures. For instance, agencies undertaking major records management overhauls or digitizing extensive archives often incur substantial costs. The fixed-price nature of this VA contract suggests a defined scope, and the value appears proportionate for a project of significant, though not massive, scale over its duration. Benchmarking against projects with similar data volumes and types would offer a more precise comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this file conversion contract. Typically, for such services, KPIs would include accuracy rates of conversion, turnaround time per file or batch, data integrity checks, security compliance adherence, and successful integration of converted files into the target system. The fixed-price contract type implies that meeting the defined deliverables within the budget is a primary success factor. Without the Statement of Work (SOW) or contract clauses detailing performance standards, a thorough assessment of performance risk and expected outcomes is limited.

What is General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc.'s track record with similar VA contracts or file conversion services?

General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. (GDIT) is a major federal contractor with a broad portfolio of IT services, including data management and conversion, across various agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. GDIT has historically been involved in large-scale IT modernization and support contracts. While specific details on their past performance solely on file conversion for the VA are not in the summary, their extensive experience suggests a capacity to handle such requirements. A deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports would reveal specific past performance ratings and any relevant project history related to data digitization and management for the VA or similar healthcare/benefits administration.

What are the potential risks associated with the short performance period (216 days)?

The short performance period of 216 days (approximately 7 months) for this $6.9 million file conversion contract presents several potential risks. Firstly, it implies a compressed timeline for execution, which could increase the risk of rushed work, errors, or missed deadlines if not managed effectively. Secondly, it may indicate a critical or urgent need, potentially stemming from system transitions or compliance deadlines, adding pressure. Thirdly, it could limit the scope of work that can be realistically accomplished, raising questions about whether this contract represents a complete solution or an initial phase. Finally, a short duration might also impact the contractor's ability to fully resource the project or implement robust quality control measures without significant overtime or expedited processes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related 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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp

Address: 3150 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,112,099

Exercised Options: $69,112,099

Current Obligation: $69,112,099

Actual Outlays: $68,038,047

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 21

Total Subaward Amount: $63,565,759

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10E19D0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline