VA's $30.8M VCS BPA VISTA Maintenance Task Order awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,821,371 ($30.8M)

Contractor: Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2007-06-05

End Date: 2012-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,761 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VCS BPA VISTA MAINTENANCE TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $30.8 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: VCS BPA VISTA MAINTENANCE TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining critical IT infrastructure for the VA. 2. The use of a BPA Call suggests a streamlined procurement process for established agreements. 3. The contract duration of nearly 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The specific NAICS code points to custom computer programming services, highlighting the technical nature of the work. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.8 million over approximately 4.8 years (1761 days) for custom computer programming services appears reasonable given the scope of maintaining a VISTA system. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT maintenance contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if managed effectively. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed assessment of efficiency challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The fact that it was competed suggests that the VA sought the best value through a transparent process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces and ensures that the government receives competitive pricing for its procurements.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from the continued availability and functionality of the VISTA system, which is crucial for managing their healthcare. The contract ensures the delivery of custom computer programming services essential for maintaining and updating the VISTA platform. The primary geographic impact is within Virginia, where the Department of Veterans Affairs operates. The contract supports skilled IT professionals and programmers, contributing to the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical system maintenance could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring continued relevance and modernization of the VISTA system within the contract's lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Fixed-price contract type transfers cost risk to the contractor.
Long contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these essential IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). The market for IT services supporting large government systems like VISTA is substantial, with numerous companies offering specialized maintenance and development capabilities. The VA's spending on IT infrastructure is a significant portion of its overall budget, aimed at modernizing systems to improve veteran care. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale IT maintenance contracts for critical systems across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary focus of this contract appears to be on larger, established IT service providers capable of handling complex system maintenance. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC has a small business subcontracting plan in place for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

VHA Electronic Health Record Modernization
VA IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Health IT Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Long-term reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed, despite fixed-price.
Ensuring continued system modernization and adaptation to evolving healthcare needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $30.8 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC. VCS BPA VISTA MAINTENANCE TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON ENTERPRISE 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 $30.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-06-05. End: 2012-03-31.

What is the historical spending trend for VISTA maintenance task orders awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC?

Analyzing historical spending data for VISTA maintenance task orders awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC would provide insight into the contractor's performance and the VA's reliance on their services over time. Without specific historical data for this contractor and this particular task order type, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, the current award of $30.8 million suggests a significant, long-term engagement. To assess historical patterns, one would need to examine contract databases for previous awards to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC for similar services, noting the value, duration, and scope of work for each. This would help determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending compared to prior periods, and identify any patterns in the types of maintenance or programming services rendered.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar IT maintenance contracts within the VA or other federal agencies?

A direct per-unit cost comparison for this $30.8 million VISTA maintenance task order is challenging without specific details on the units of service (e.g., hours of labor, number of modules maintained, specific functionalities). However, the contract's fixed-price nature suggests that the VA has established a defined scope of work for a set price. To benchmark, one would need to identify comparable contracts for IT system maintenance and custom programming services within the VA or across agencies like HHS or DoD. Key metrics for comparison would include the total contract value, duration, labor rates (if available), and the complexity of the systems being maintained. If similar contracts show significantly lower values for comparable services, it could indicate potential overpricing or a less efficient service delivery model in this instance. Conversely, if the scope is more extensive or the system more complex, the current pricing might be justified.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this VISTA maintenance task order?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this VISTA maintenance task order. However, for IT maintenance contracts of this nature, typical KPIs often include system uptime and availability, response times for critical issues, resolution times for reported bugs or defects, successful implementation of updates and patches, and adherence to security protocols. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that performance against these (or similar) KPIs would be contractually obligated. The Department of Veterans Affairs would likely have internal metrics and reporting requirements to ensure the VISTA system remains operational, secure, and functional for its users. Failure to meet these implicit or explicit KPIs could result in contractual remedies.

What is Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC's track record with large-scale federal IT maintenance contracts, particularly within the VA?

Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC has a significant track record in providing IT services to the federal government, including contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details on their performance for this particular VISTA maintenance task order are not provided, their history often includes work on complex systems and infrastructure. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would examine past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on similar large-scale federal IT contracts. This includes looking at their experience with electronic health record systems or other critical infrastructure maintenance. A review of publicly available contract data and performance reports would shed light on their reliability, technical expertise, and ability to manage large budgets and complex projects within the federal space.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for the maintenance of the VISTA system?

Relying on a single contractor, such as Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC for this VISTA maintenance task order, presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes heavily dependent on the contractor's proprietary knowledge and processes, making it difficult and costly to switch providers. Secondly, a lack of competition could lead to complacency, potentially resulting in decreased service quality or innovation over time. Thirdly, if the contractor experiences financial instability, staffing shortages, or strategic shifts, it could disrupt critical system maintenance. Finally, there's always the risk of performance issues or contract disputes that could lead to system downtime or delays in necessary updates. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: HP, Inc. (UEI: 009122532)

Address: 13600 EDS DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,821,371

Exercised Options: $30,821,371

Current Obligation: $30,821,371

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V200P1751

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline