VA Awards $4.26M for Vecna Vetlink Kiosk Sustainment to Minuteman Technology Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,259,908 ($4.3M)

Contractor: Minuteman Technology Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-03-02

End Date: 2026-03-01

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VECNA VETLINK KIOSK SUSTAINMENT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.3 million to MINUTEMAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC for work described as: VECNA VETLINK KIOSK SUSTAINMENT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for sustainment services of VECNA VETLINK KIOSK. 2. Minuteman Technology Services LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 1095 days. 4. The award is a Purchase Order under the MAS contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $4.26 million. Without comparable contract data or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing the pricing's value is difficult. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This may have impacted price discovery and potentially led to a higher price than if it had been fully competed.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible value for these sustainment services.

Public Impact

Veterans may experience service disruptions if kiosk sustainment is inadequate. The use of a sole-source award limits opportunities for small businesses to compete. The VA's reliance on a single vendor for critical kiosk services could pose a risk.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment due to limited competition
Vendor lock-in risk

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration
Fixed-price contract type

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically related to computer peripherals and their sustainment. Benchmarks for similar IT sustainment contracts vary widely based on complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

The award was not set aside for small businesses, and the vendor, Minuteman Technology Services LLC, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. This limits small business participation in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a Purchase Order under the MAS contract vehicle, which typically has established oversight mechanisms. However, the lack of competition warrants closer scrutiny of the pricing and performance.

Related Government Programs

Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Not competed
Limited competition
Potential for overpricing
Vendor dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.3 million to MINUTEMAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC. VECNA VETLINK KIOSK SUSTAINMENT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINUTEMAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES 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 $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-02. End: 2026-03-01.

What is the justification for not competing this contract, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, non-competitive awards require a justification and approval (J&A) outlining reasons such as urgency, unique capabilities, or lack of sources. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the fairness of the pricing or the effectiveness of the price discovery process.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical kiosk sustainment services?

Relying on a single vendor for critical kiosk sustainment services introduces several risks. These include potential vendor lock-in, reduced leverage in price negotiations, and vulnerability to service disruptions if the vendor faces financial or operational issues. It also limits the government's ability to benefit from innovation or cost savings offered by competing vendors.

How does the sustainment of these VECNA VETLINK KIOSKs directly impact veteran services and access to care?

The VECNA VETLINK KIOSKs likely provide essential services to veterans, such as appointment scheduling, check-in, information access, or telehealth facilitation. Inadequate sustainment could lead to kiosk downtime, frustrating veterans and potentially hindering their access to timely care or necessary information, thereby negatively impacting their overall experience with VA services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 36C24123Q0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 35 MANATAUG TRL, MARBLEHEAD, MA, 01945

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,642,742

Exercised Options: $4,642,742

Current Obligation: $4,259,908

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline