VA Awards $3.6M IT Helpdesk Contract to The Ventura Group Inc. for 5 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,602,626 ($3.6M)

Contractor: THE Ventura Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SAC IT HELPDESK SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21703

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.6 million to THE VENTURA GROUP INC for work described as: SAC IT HELPDESK SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT helpdesk support services. 2. The Ventura Group Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 4. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. NAICS code 541519 indicates Other Computer Related Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.6M over 5 years appears reasonable for IT helpdesk support. However, without specific service level agreements or detailed scope of work, a precise value assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar VA contracts would provide better insight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the best price discovery compared to a full and open competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition approach may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than a fully competed contract. Further justification for the limited competition is needed to ensure value.

Public Impact

Veterans may experience improved IT support services. The Department of Veterans Affairs relies on this support for its operations. Potential impact on the IT services market for similar government contracts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of detailed scope of work for precise value assessment.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical IT helpdesk functions.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term award (5 years) offers stability.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is highly competitive. This contract falls under IT services, specifically helpdesk support. Benchmarks for similar IT support contracts within the federal government can vary widely based on scope, duration, and service levels.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is not a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices should ensure accountability and performance, but specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may result in higher costs.
Lack of transparency regarding performance metrics.
No small business participation identified.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to long-term award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.6 million to THE VENTURA GROUP INC. SAC IT HELPDESK SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE VENTURA GROUP 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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What specific metrics define the success of the IT helpdesk support, and how are they measured and reported?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the IT helpdesk support. A comprehensive assessment would require access to the contract's Service Level Agreement (SLA) and performance reports to understand how service quality, response times, and resolution rates are tracked and evaluated.

What was the justification for limiting competition on this $3.6M IT helpdesk contract?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies limit competition when only one source can meet the requirement, or for specific reasons like urgency or follow-on work. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing if the government received fair and reasonable pricing and if taxpayer funds were used efficiently.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT helpdesk services, considering the scope and duration?

Without a detailed scope of work and specific service level agreements, a precise comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. The $3.6M contract over five years averages $720,000 annually. This figure needs to be evaluated against the number of users supported, complexity of IT systems, and types of support offered to determine if it represents good value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36X10X22Q0095

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20110 ASHBROOK PL STE 120, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,602,626

Exercised Options: $3,602,626

Current Obligation: $3,602,626

Actual Outlays: $2,437,492

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline