VA awards $4.8M contract for healthcare analytics platform to Bitscopic Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,800,000 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Bitscopic Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-08-01

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION]

Place of Performance

Location: PALO ALTO, SANTA CLARA County, CALIFORNIA, 94303

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.8 million to BITSCOPIC INC for work described as: PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION] Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 729 days (2 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. The award is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, potentially limiting direct participation for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.8 million over two years averages $2.4 million annually. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within a reasonable range, assuming the platform offers advanced analytics capabilities. Without specific details on the platform's features and the scope of services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the fixed-price nature provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The VA's choice of full and open competition suggests they sought the best possible solution from the widest range of vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is intended to drive down costs and ensure the government receives high-quality services at a fair price.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved healthcare analytics, potentially leading to better patient care and resource allocation. The Department of Veterans Affairs will receive a PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION] to support its operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Veterans Affairs' national network, with potential benefits extending to all facilities utilizing the platform. The contract supports the IT sector workforce involved in custom computer programming and analytics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the platform becomes deeply integrated without clear exit strategies.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical healthcare analytics could pose risks if the vendor faces financial or operational challenges.
The effectiveness of the analytics platform is dependent on the quality of data input and the vendor's ability to deliver actionable insights.

Positive Signals

The use of a fixed-price contract helps manage cost overruns.
Awarding through full and open competition suggests a thorough evaluation process to select the best value.
The contract duration provides stability for the VA to implement and utilize the analytics platform.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services market, particularly for custom computer programming and analytics solutions, is substantial. This contract falls within the broader category of health IT, a rapidly growing sector driven by the need for data-driven decision-making. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar analytics platforms vary widely based on complexity and features, but a $4.8 million award over two years for a specialized platform is consistent with market rates for advanced solutions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that larger prime contractors were likely the primary participants in the bidding process. The absence of small business set-asides may limit direct opportunities for smaller firms to engage with the VA on this specific contract, though they might participate as subcontractors to the prime.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by tying payment to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. The Inspector General's office within the VA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Health IT Spending
Custom Computer Programming Services Contracts
Healthcare Analytics Platforms

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Data security and privacy concerns inherent in healthcare analytics
Dependence on vendor for critical system functionality

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.8 million to BITSCOPIC INC. PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BITSCOPIC 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 $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-01. End: 2027-07-31.

What specific features and capabilities does the PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION] offer to justify its cost?

The provided data does not detail the specific features of the PRAEDICO HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS PLATFORM [PLATINUM EDITION]. However, as a 'Platinum Edition' and a custom computer programming service, it is likely to offer advanced functionalities such as predictive modeling, population health management tools, clinical decision support, operational efficiency analytics, and robust data visualization dashboards. The cost of $4.8 million over two years suggests a comprehensive suite of services, potentially including data integration from disparate sources, advanced statistical analysis, AI-driven insights, and ongoing software updates and support. To fully assess value, a detailed breakdown of features, implementation scope, and expected outcomes would be necessary.

How does the $4.8 million contract value compare to previous VA spending on similar analytics platforms?

The provided data does not include historical spending figures for the VA on similar analytics platforms. To make a comparison, one would need to research past contracts for healthcare analytics software and services awarded by the VA or other federal health agencies. Factors such as the platform's capabilities, the number of users, the duration of the contract, and the specific services included (e.g., implementation, training, ongoing support) would need to be considered for a meaningful benchmark. The current award of $4.8 million over two years ($2.4 million annually) provides a baseline for future comparisons.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, reliance on a single provider for critical analytics, and the possibility that the platform may not deliver the expected actionable insights. Mitigation strategies are implied by the contract structure: the fixed-price nature helps control costs, and full and open competition suggests a thorough vetting of the vendor's capabilities. The VA's program management will be crucial in overseeing performance and ensuring the platform meets requirements. Clear performance metrics and regular reviews should be part of the contract management to address potential shortcomings.

What is Bitscopic Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data indicates Bitscopic Inc. is the contractor and the Department of Veterans Affairs is the agency. However, it does not offer details on Bitscopic Inc.'s past performance, contract history, or specific track record with the VA or other federal agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract values, performance ratings, and any past issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar healthcare analytics projects would be particularly relevant.

How will the success of this analytics platform be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. Typically, for a healthcare analytics platform, KPIs would focus on improvements in patient outcomes, reduction in healthcare costs, enhanced operational efficiency, increased data accuracy and accessibility, and user satisfaction among VA staff. The contract's success will likely be evaluated based on the vendor's ability to meet defined performance standards, deliver timely and accurate analytical reports, and support the VA's strategic healthcare objectives.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7506 LATONA AVE NE, SEATTLE, WA, 98115

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,800,000

Exercised Options: $4,800,000

Current Obligation: $4,800,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F362CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline