VA awards $256K for Philips patient monitoring software support and EHR integration to Alvarez & Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $256,483 ($256.5K)

Contractor: Alvarez LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-04-09

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 356 days

Daily Burn Rate: $720/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT: BASE YEAR (AWARD DATE - 03/31/2027) - MADISON & TOMAH ALVAREZ & ASSOCIATES, LLC - PHILIPS PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES & EHR INTEGRATION

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53705

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $256,483.03 to ALVAREZ LLC for work described as: BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT: BASE YEAR (AWARD DATE - 03/31/2027) - MADISON & TOMAH ALVAREZ & ASSOCIATES, LLC - PHILIPS PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES & EHR INTEGRATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential patient monitoring software support and EHR integration. 2. Competition was open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration is approximately one year, indicating a need for ongoing services. 4. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 5. The service category is 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad but critical area for healthcare IT. 6. The contractor, Alvarez & Associates, has secured this delivery order, implying past performance or competitive advantage. 7. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the VA.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $256,483.03 for a base year of software support and EHR integration appears reasonable within the context of specialized healthcare IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for patient monitoring system support and integration is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the complexity of the EHR integration. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor has priced the services with a defined scope, which can be advantageous for the government in managing costs.

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'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, there was a prior exclusion of sources, which warrants further investigation into the justification for that exclusion. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies multiple potential offerors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: The open competition, despite the initial exclusion of sources, suggests that the VA sought to leverage market competition to achieve a fair price for these critical IT services. The final pricing should reflect competitive pressures.

Public Impact

Veterans receiving care at VA facilities will benefit from reliable patient monitoring systems. Enhanced EHR integration will improve data flow and clinical decision-making for healthcare providers. The services support the operational efficiency of VA healthcare systems in Wisconsin. IT professionals supporting these systems will be engaged, potentially including roles in implementation, maintenance, and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type requires clarification to ensure full and fair competition was ultimately achieved.
The specific scope of 'EHR integration' is not detailed, which could lead to scope creep or unforeseen costs if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software support could pose a risk if the vendor's performance degrades or if they exit the market.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm-fixed-price, which provides cost predictability for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The award is a delivery order, suggesting it is part of a pre-competed contract vehicle, potentially streamlining the acquisition process.
The services directly support patient care technology, a critical component of modern healthcare delivery.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare IT sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a growing demand for integrated systems. This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code, encompassing a wide range of IT support and integration activities. The market for patient monitoring systems and Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration is competitive, with numerous vendors offering specialized solutions. Spending in this area is significant as federal agencies like the VA modernize their IT infrastructure to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus for this specific delivery order. There is no indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, but it is possible they could be involved if Alvarez & Associates utilizes them for specific tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA EHR Modernization Program
VA Medical Device Support Contracts
Federal Health IT Services
Patient Monitoring Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential lack of full competition due to 'exclusion of sources'
Unclear scope of EHR integration
Dependence on a single vendor for critical support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $256,483.03 to ALVAREZ LLC. BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT: BASE YEAR (AWARD DATE - 03/31/2027) - MADISON & TOMAH ALVAREZ & ASSOCIATES, LLC - PHILIPS PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES & EHR INTEGRATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALVAREZ 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 $256,483.03.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type, and how was full and open competition ensured despite this?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests an initial phase where certain potential offerors were excluded, followed by a period of open competition among the remaining sources. The specific justification for the initial exclusion is not provided in the data. This could be due to various reasons, such as prior performance issues with certain vendors, specific technical requirements that only a subset of vendors could meet, or a phased approach to competition. To ensure full and open competition was ultimately achieved, the VA would need to have documented a clear rationale for the initial exclusion and demonstrated that the subsequent competition allowed all eligible and capable sources to participate and submit proposals on a level playing field. Without this documentation, the 'exclusion' aspect raises a flag regarding the breadth of competition achieved.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar patient monitoring software support and EHR integration contracts within the VA or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $256,483.03 contract value for one year of service is difficult without detailed scope of work and service level agreements for comparable contracts. However, the market for specialized healthcare IT services, particularly those involving EHR integration and continuous patient monitoring systems, can command significant costs due to the complexity, security requirements, and the critical nature of the services. If this contract covers a large number of facilities or a complex integration with a legacy EHR system, the price might be within the expected range. Conversely, if the scope is limited, it could be on the higher side. Benchmarking would require analyzing contracts with similar numbers of monitored beds, types of monitoring equipment, and the specific EHR system being integrated with.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how is contractor performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for software support and integration services, KPIs might include system uptime, response times for technical support, resolution times for reported issues, and successful data integration rates. The Department of Veterans Affairs would have established these metrics within the contract's statement of work or performance work statement. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting from the contractor, periodic reviews by the VA's contracting officer's representative (COR), and potentially user feedback from the facilities utilizing the Philips patient monitoring systems and integrated EHR.

What is the track record of Alvarez & Associates with the Department of Veterans Affairs or similar healthcare IT contracts?

The award of this delivery order to Alvarez & Associates, LLC indicates they are an incumbent or a successful bidder within the VA's contracting ecosystem. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance history with the VA and other federal agencies, particularly on contracts involving patient monitoring systems, EHR integration, or similar IT support services. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes, and the overall success of their previous engagements. A positive track record would suggest reliability and competence, while a history of performance problems could indicate a higher risk for this contract.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader VA healthcare IT infrastructure and interoperability goals?

This contract directly supports the VA's operational IT infrastructure by ensuring the functionality and integration of critical patient monitoring systems. Reliable software support and effective EHR integration are foundational for maintaining patient safety, improving clinical workflows, and enabling data-driven healthcare decisions. Successful execution of this contract contributes to the VA's broader goals of achieving seamless interoperability between different healthcare IT systems, enhancing data sharing, and ultimately improving the quality and efficiency of care delivered to veterans. Conversely, any performance issues could disrupt patient care and hinder interoperability efforts.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 161 FORT EVANS RD NE STE 335, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $762,711

Exercised Options: $256,483

Current Obligation: $256,483

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD19B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline