VA awarded $22M for satellite communications systems, with Veteran Corps of America as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,029,903 ($22.0M)

Contractor: Veteran Corps of America

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2009-06-01

End Date: 2012-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,278 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.2K/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: VERY SMALL APERTURE TERMINAL (VSAT) SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS NETWORK

Place of Performance

Location: ALBANY, ALBANY County, NEW YORK, 12201, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $22.0 million to VETERAN CORPS OF AMERICA for work described as: VERY SMALL APERTURE TERMINAL (VSAT) SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract value appears moderate for IT systems, but specific performance metrics are needed for a full value assessment. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate decision to broaden the field. 3. The duration of the contract (1278 days) indicates a need for sustained service delivery. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Veteran Corps of America. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, indicating a focus on supporting veteran services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $22 million over its period of performance is a significant investment. Without specific details on the scope of services, the number of terminals deployed, or the data throughput, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money effectively. Comparing this to similar VSAT network contracts for government agencies would provide better context on pricing and efficiency. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that cost overruns are the contractor's responsibility, which can be a positive indicator if the scope was well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or prior relationships. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' phrasing suggests a more controlled competition than a truly unrestricted full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: This type of competition may limit the potential for the lowest possible price if the exclusion criteria were too narrow. Taxpayers benefit from competition, but the extent of that benefit is contingent on the breadth of eligible participants.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved access to services through reliable satellite communications. The contract supports the delivery of essential IT infrastructure for the Department of Veterans Affairs. The contract's geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting VA facilities wherever traditional terrestrial networks are insufficient. The contract supports the IT workforce within the contractor's organization and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' could impact price discovery.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money.
The contract's duration might indicate a long-term reliance on this specific vendor's solution.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, aligning with a critical government mission.
The contract falls under a broad IT services category, suggesting a need for robust network infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite communications market is a niche but critical segment of the broader telecommunications and IT services sector. This contract addresses the need for reliable data connectivity in locations where traditional broadband infrastructure is unavailable or insufficient. Government agencies, particularly those with dispersed operations like the VA, are significant consumers of VSAT services for secure and resilient communication. The total addressable market for government satellite communications is substantial, driven by defense, intelligence, and civilian agency requirements for remote access and backup connectivity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary consideration or requirement for this contract. There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded to a larger entity capable of meeting the technical and scale requirements for VSAT network systems, potentially limiting opportunities for small businesses in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Government Satellite Communications Contracts
Network Infrastructure Services for Government Agencies
Remote Access and Connectivity Solutions

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Security requirements not specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $22.0 million to VETERAN CORPS OF AMERICA. VERY SMALL APERTURE TERMINAL (VSAT) SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS NETWORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VETERAN CORPS OF AMERICA.

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 $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-06-01. End: 2012-11-30.

What specific VSAT satellite communication systems and network services were procured under this contract?

The contract data specifies 'VERY SMALL APERTURE TERMINAL (VSAT) SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS NETWORK' as the subject. This implies the procurement of hardware (terminals), potentially satellite bandwidth, network management services, installation, and maintenance. The exact specifications of the terminals (e.g., size, frequency band, data rates) and the network architecture (e.g., hub-and-spoke, mesh) are not detailed in the provided summary. Understanding these specifics is crucial for assessing the technical suitability and cost-effectiveness of the solution deployed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How does the $22 million contract value compare to similar VSAT network deployments for other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $22 million contract value requires comparing it against similar VSAT network contracts awarded to other federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, number of sites supported, bandwidth provided, and service level agreements. For instance, a contract for a similar duration supporting a comparable number of remote locations with equivalent data throughput might offer a basis for comparison. Without such detailed comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, good, or fair value. The 'limited' competition aspect also suggests potential price variations compared to fully open competitions.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for VSAT network services, KPIs and SLAs would focus on metrics such as network uptime, latency, jitter, packet loss, and data throughput guarantees. The effectiveness of the 'VERY SMALL APERTURE TERMINAL (VSAT) SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS NETWORK' in supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission would be directly tied to meeting these performance standards. The absence of this information hinders a thorough assessment of the contractor's performance and the overall success of the contract.

What is the track record of Veteran Corps of America in delivering complex IT and network infrastructure projects?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'VETERAN CORPS OF AMERICA' in delivering complex IT and network infrastructure projects, particularly VSAT systems, is not detailed in the provided summary. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and technical execution. Their ability to successfully manage and deliver this $22 million contract is contingent on their demonstrated expertise and experience in this specialized field.

Were there any specific security requirements or certifications mandated for the VSAT systems and network under this contract?

The provided contract data does not specify security requirements or certifications for the VSAT systems and network. Given that this contract is with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which handles sensitive veteran data, robust security measures would be expected. This could include compliance with specific government cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST standards), encryption requirements for data in transit, and physical security protocols for network equipment. The lack of explicit security details necessitates further inquiry to ensure the network's integrity and data protection.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: VA-200-09-RP-0126

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3264 WHISPERING PINES DR, BELLEVILLE, IL, 62221

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,029,903

Exercised Options: $22,029,903

Current Obligation: $22,029,903

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0528Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline