VA awards $2.1M for web-based emergency operations software and training to ESI Acquisition Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,145,686 ($2.1M)

Contractor: ESI Acquisition Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEB BASED EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SOFTWARE AND TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30303

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.1 million to ESI ACQUISITION INC for work described as: WEB BASED EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SOFTWARE AND TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential emergency operations software and training. 2. ESI Acquisition Inc. is the selected contractor. 3. The contract duration spans 4 years. 4. The award was made under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 513210 (Software Publishers). 7. The contract was competed, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 8. The award was issued as a Purchase Order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.1 million over four years for specialized software and training appears reasonable. Without specific benchmarks for similar web-based emergency operations center software and training packages, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps control costs. The award under SAP suggests a focus on smaller value procurements, which often have more streamlined pricing structures.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broad range of potential bidders, including small businesses. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, competition under SAP generally aims to ensure fair market prices. The use of SAP suggests that the agency sought competitive offers within this procurement threshold.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices for essential services.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will benefit from enhanced emergency operations capabilities. The contract will provide web-based software and associated training. This will improve the VA's ability to manage and respond to emergencies. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting VA facilities across the country. The workforce implications include training for VA personnel on the new system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits full assessment of competition intensity.
Performance metrics and success criteria for the software and training are not detailed in the provided data.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting efficient procurement processes.
The contract is for essential emergency operations software and training, addressing a critical need.

Sector Analysis

The software publishing industry (NAICS 513210) is a dynamic sector. This contract falls within the broader IT services and software development market, which is a significant area of federal spending. Federal agencies increasingly rely on specialized software solutions for critical functions like emergency management. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar emergency management software procurements would provide further insight into its cost-effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. However, the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which often encourages small business participation. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were prime contractors or if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Purchase Order, which is a common instrument for procurements under SAP. Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Software and Services
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Emergency Management Systems
DoD Emergency Response Technology
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Software

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly defined.
Risk of contractor underperformance if profit margins are too thin on FFP.
Need for ongoing monitoring to ensure software remains up-to-date with technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.1 million to ESI ACQUISITION INC. WEB BASED EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SOFTWARE AND TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ESI ACQUISITION 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the specific functionality of the 'WEB BASED EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER SOFTWARE AND TRAINING' being procured?

The provided data does not detail the specific functionalities of the software. However, 'Emergency Operations Center Software' typically refers to systems designed to support the management of emergency incidents and disasters. This can include capabilities such as incident tracking, resource management, communication coordination, situational awareness dashboards, damage assessment tools, and reporting. The 'training' component would likely cover how to effectively operate and utilize this software during normal operations and emergency scenarios. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work or performance work statement.

How does the $2.1 million contract value compare to similar VA or other federal agency procurements for emergency operations software?

Direct comparison of the $2.1 million contract value is challenging without access to specific, comparable contract data for emergency operations center software and training. Federal spending on such systems can vary widely based on scope, features, user base, and duration. Contracts for enterprise-level, highly integrated systems can cost significantly more, while smaller, more specialized solutions might be less. The fact that this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests it falls within a lower value threshold, potentially indicating a more focused or less complex solution compared to larger, agency-wide systems. A thorough benchmark analysis would require identifying contracts with similar technical requirements and service levels.

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

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. Typically, these would be detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) associated with the contract. For emergency operations software and training, relevant KPIs might include system uptime and availability, response time for critical functions, user adoption rates, successful completion of training modules, and the effectiveness of the software in supporting simulated or actual emergency response scenarios. The contracting officer and program managers within the VA would be responsible for monitoring contractor performance against these defined metrics.

What is the track record of ESI Acquisition Inc. in providing similar software and training solutions to the federal government?

Information regarding ESI Acquisition Inc.'s specific track record in providing similar web-based emergency operations center software and training to the federal government is not detailed in the provided summary data. To assess their past performance, one would typically review contract databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards to this contractor, focusing on contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (e.g., 513210 - Software Publishers, or related IT services codes) and service descriptions. Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, if available, would offer insights into their past performance quality, timeliness, and overall customer satisfaction on federal contracts.

What is the potential risk associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this type of service?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type generally shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For software and training, this can be advantageous as it provides budget certainty for the government. However, there can be risks if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. If the contractor underestimates the effort required, they may cut corners on quality or support to maintain profitability, potentially impacting the effectiveness of the software or training. Conversely, if the scope is too broad and the contractor accurately prices it, the government might pay a premium. Clear requirements and robust oversight are crucial with FFP contracts to mitigate these risks.

How does the duration of the contract (4 years) align with the typical lifecycle of emergency operations software?

A four-year contract duration for web-based emergency operations center software and training is a reasonable timeframe. Software lifecycles can vary, but four years allows for initial implementation, user adoption, ongoing support, and potential updates or enhancements. It also provides stability for the agency in managing its emergency response capabilities. However, technology evolves rapidly, so the contract should ideally include provisions for software updates, maintenance, and potentially options for future upgrades or replacements to ensure the system remains current and effective throughout its operational life and beyond.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 36C25623Q0355

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 235 PEACHTREE ST NE STE 2300, ATLANTA, GA, 30303

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,722,933

Exercised Options: $2,145,686

Current Obligation: $2,145,686

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline