VA awards $9.8M contract for interactive patient care system installation to Thundercat Technology, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,809,372 ($9.8M)

Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2021-05-17

End Date: 2026-12-11

Contract Duration: 2,034 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORK (VISN) 21 WIDE GETWELLNETWORK INTERACTIVE PATIENT CARE SYSTEM INSTALLATION

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $9.8 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORK (VISN) 21 WIDE GETWELLNETWORK INTERACTIVE PATIENT CARE SYSTEM INSTALLATION Key points: 1. The contract value of $9.8 million for an interactive patient care system installation appears reasonable given the duration and scope. 2. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially limited but justified bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This contract supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' efforts to modernize patient care technology. 5. The duration of over 2000 days indicates a long-term, significant deployment. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 suggests a focus on computer-related services beyond standard software development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.8 million for an interactive patient care system installation over approximately 5.5 years (2034 days) suggests a significant investment in healthcare technology. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale IT deployments within the VA or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract is a positive indicator, as it shifts cost risk to the contractor. The award to Thundercat Technology, LLC, a known IT solutions provider, suggests a degree of confidence in their ability to deliver.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' phrasing suggests it might not have been a completely unfettered open competition. This could potentially limit price discovery compared to a truly 'full and open' process.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through broader outreach. However, if the exclusion of sources was justified by specific technical requirements or past performance, it could lead to a more suitable solution, potentially reducing long-term costs.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from enhanced interactive patient care systems, potentially improving their hospital experience and access to information. The services delivered include the installation of a comprehensive interactive patient care system. The geographic impact is likely focused on facilities managed by Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21. Workforce implications may include training for VA staff on operating and maintaining the new system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method raises questions about the extent of true market competition and potential taxpayer savings.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or specific outcomes makes it difficult to assess the ultimate effectiveness and value of the installed system.
The long contract duration could present challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving healthcare technology if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty for the VA.
Awarding to a known IT solutions provider like Thundercat Technology, LLC suggests a focus on reliable delivery.
The contract aims to modernize patient care, aligning with the VA's strategic goals for improving veteran healthcare.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on healthcare technology solutions. The market for interactive patient care systems is growing as healthcare providers seek to improve patient engagement and streamline hospital operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale IT implementations in federal healthcare systems or major hospital networks, considering factors like system complexity, user base, and integration requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best technical solution and price from the available pool of contractors, rather than specifically promoting small business involvement. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Thundercat Technology, LLC voluntarily engages small businesses for specific components or services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration IT Modernization Programs
Federal Health IT Initiatives
Interactive Patient Systems
Electronic Health Records (EHR) Support Systems

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted bidding.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $9.8 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. VETERANS INTEGRATED SERVICE NETWORK (VISN) 21 WIDE GETWELLNETWORK INTERACTIVE PATIENT CARE SYSTEM INSTALLATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, 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 $9.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-17. End: 2026-12-11.

What is Thundercat Technology, LLC's track record with similar large-scale IT installations for the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Assessing Thundercat Technology, LLC's track record with similar large-scale IT installations for the Department of Veterans Affairs requires a deeper dive into their past performance on VA contracts. Specifically, one would look for awards related to healthcare IT, patient engagement systems, or network infrastructure deployments of comparable size and complexity. Key indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, successful system integration, and positive user feedback from previous VA projects. A review of past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would be crucial. Without specific data on their prior VA engagements, it's difficult to definitively assess their suitability beyond the fact they were selected for this current contract.

How does the $9.8 million contract value compare to similar interactive patient care system installations in the federal government?

Comparing the $9.8 million contract value for this interactive patient care system installation requires identifying comparable federal contracts. This involves searching databases for awards with similar scope, duration (over 2000 days), and service type (NAICS 541519) within agencies like the Department of Defense or other health-focused entities. Factors such as the number of beds or users supported, the specific functionalities (e.g., entertainment, education, communication, clinical access), and the level of integration with existing hospital systems significantly influence cost. A preliminary assessment suggests that $9.8 million for a system deployed over several years is within a plausible range for a large federal healthcare facility, but a precise benchmark would necessitate detailed analysis of system specifications and market rates for comparable solutions.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method used for this contract?

The primary risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method for this contract revolve around potentially limited market reach and reduced price competition. While intended to be open, the exclusion of specific sources, if not clearly justified and documented, could inadvertently narrow the field of qualified bidders. This might lead to a situation where the government does not receive the most competitive pricing possible, as fewer companies are vying for the contract. Furthermore, if the excluded sources were highly capable, the government might miss out on innovative solutions or specialized expertise that could have offered superior value. Transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion is critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

What specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) are likely being used to evaluate the success of this interactive patient care system installation?

While the provided data does not detail specific performance metrics or KPIs for this contract, typical evaluations for interactive patient care systems focus on several key areas. These often include system uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% availability), response times for user requests, patient satisfaction scores related to the system's usability and features, the number of successful patient-provider communications facilitated through the system, and the adoption rate among patients and staff. Additionally, metrics related to the system's ability to deliver educational content effectively, reduce call center volume, or improve patient engagement in their care plans would be crucial. The effectiveness of the installation process itself, including adherence to schedule and budget, would also be evaluated.

How has the Department of Veterans Affairs' spending on interactive patient care systems evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing the Department of Veterans Affairs' spending evolution on interactive patient care systems requires examining historical contract awards data over the past five years. This would involve filtering contract databases for relevant NAICS codes (like 541519, 541512, etc.) and keywords related to 'interactive patient care,' 'patient engagement systems,' or similar terms, specifically within the VA. Trends might indicate an increasing investment as the VA prioritizes modernization and patient experience, or fluctuating spending based on specific program initiatives and budget allocations. Understanding this historical context helps determine if the current $9.8 million award represents a significant increase, a continuation of a trend, or a one-off investment.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thundercat Technology LLC

Address: 11190 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191

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: $26,942,448

Exercised Options: $15,037,188

Current Obligation: $9,809,372

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD26B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline