VA awards $19.3M for Network Engineering Support to Signal Solutions, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,344,177 ($19.3M)
Contractor: Signal Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2010-03-30
End Date: 2014-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,492 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NETWORK ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN VA INTERNET GATEWAY
Place of Performance
Location: FALLING WATERS, BERKELEY County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25419
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $19.3 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: NETWORK ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN VA INTERNET GATEWAY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Signal Solutions, LLC for network engineering and business operations support. 2. The contract value is $19,344,177.33. 3. The NAICS code 517110 indicates the sector is Wired Telecommunications Carriers. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The period of performance was from March 30, 2010, to April 30, 2014.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $19.3M over approximately 4 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for similar services, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary network support services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of the VA's internet gateway, critical for accessing services. Supports business operations through essential network engineering. The contract duration of over 4 years provided stability for service delivery. Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, impacting veterans' access to online resources.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge true value.
- Limited insight into the specific technical requirements and their complexity.
- No data on small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
- Long-term contract provides service continuity.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector (NAICS 517110). Spending in this sector often involves significant infrastructure and operational costs. Benchmarking requires comparison with similar government contracts for network engineering and support services.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the requirement precluded small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Oversight would typically involve contract management reviews, performance monitoring, and financial audits to ensure compliance and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Limited information on specific technical requirements.
- No indication of small business utilization.
- Contract duration is lengthy, potentially leading to vendor lock-in if not managed.
- No data on incumbent performance or transition challenges.
Tags
wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-veterans-affairs, wv, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $19.3 million to SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. NETWORK ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN VA INTERNET GATEWAY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIGNAL SOLUTIONS, 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 $19.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-03-30. End: 2014-04-30.
What was the specific scope of 'network engineering and business operations support' to assess if the $19.3M was justified?
The scope likely encompassed maintaining the VA's internet gateway infrastructure, ensuring network uptime, security, and performance. It could also include support for related business systems reliant on the network. Without detailed SOW, precise justification is difficult, but it implies critical operational support for VA's digital services.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the best possible price for these critical network services?
Full and open competition allows any qualified vendor to bid, fostering a competitive environment. This typically drives down prices as vendors vie for the contract. The VA would have evaluated bids based on technical merit and price, aiming to secure the most cost-effective solution for maintaining their internet gateway.
What was the long-term impact on VA's IT infrastructure and service delivery effectiveness after this contract ended?
The contract's effectiveness would be measured by the sustained reliability and performance of the VA's internet gateway during its term. Its successful completion likely ensured uninterrupted access to VA online services for veterans. However, the long-term impact depends on subsequent investments and the evolution of the VA's IT infrastructure post-2014.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: VA-798A-10-RQ-0037
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)
Address: 3040 WILLIAMS DR # 200, FAIRFAX, VA, 11
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,344,177
Exercised Options: $19,344,177
Current Obligation: $19,344,177
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00T03AHD0016
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-03-30
Current End Date: 2014-04-30
Potential End Date: 2014-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-09-02
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