VA's $29.8M contract for Enterprise Management Foundation Federated Data Repository awarded to L3Harris Technologies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,779,187 ($29.8M)

Contractor: L3harris Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2011-08-01

End Date: 2015-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,429 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION FEDERATED DATA REPOSITORY EMFFDR

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20420

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION FEDERATED DATA REPOSITORY EMFFDR Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1429 days indicates a significant, long-term project. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 4. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a major federal agency. 5. The service category is Computer Systems Design Services, a critical IT function. 6. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $29.8 million over approximately four years suggests a substantial investment in data repository services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT infrastructure contracts within the federal government would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty. The contract was awarded to L3Harris Technologies, a well-established defense and aerospace contractor with significant federal IT experience.

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 presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair access to government contracts, the specific number of bidders can influence the intensity of that competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings from contractors vying for the award.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from enhanced data management capabilities. Services delivered include computer systems design for a federated data repository. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contract was awarded. The contract supports IT infrastructure and potentially the workforce involved in managing and utilizing the data repository.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the federated data repository becomes highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data infrastructure could pose risks if performance issues arise.
The long duration of the contract may require careful monitoring to ensure continued alignment with evolving VA needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
L3Harris Technologies is an experienced contractor with a track record in federal IT projects.
The contract addresses a critical need for data management within the VA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and data repository management. The federal IT services market is vast, with significant annual spending. Contracts like this are crucial for agencies to modernize their infrastructure, improve data accessibility, and enhance operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale data management or IT infrastructure projects awarded by agencies of similar size and scope to the VA.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature and potential scale of a federated data repository, it is likely that the prime contractor, L3Harris Technologies, would manage the majority of the work. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms and performance requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, which provide public access to award details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization Programs
Federal Data Management Initiatives
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
Cloud Computing Services Contracts
Information Technology Professional Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of technological obsolescence.
Fixed-price contract could incentivize cost-cutting over quality if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data infrastructure.
Potential for scope creep in evolving data management needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29.8 million to L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT FOUNDATION FEDERATED DATA REPOSITORY EMFFDR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $29.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-08-01. End: 2015-06-30.

What is the specific nature and scope of the Enterprise Management Foundation Federated Data Repository (EMFFDR) and its importance to the VA's mission?

The Enterprise Management Foundation Federated Data Repository (EMFFDR) is a critical IT infrastructure component designed to consolidate and manage data from various sources within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Its importance lies in enabling a unified view of information, which is essential for effective decision-making, operational efficiency, and improved service delivery to veterans. A federated approach allows data to remain in its original location while providing a common access layer, enhancing data governance and security. This contract supports the design and implementation of such a system, aiming to streamline data access, reduce redundancy, and improve the overall reliability and usability of VA's information assets, directly contributing to the agency's mission of serving veterans.

How does the $29.8 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for data repository systems?

The $29.8 million contract value for the EMFFDR over approximately four years is a significant investment, placing it in the mid-to-large tier for federal IT infrastructure projects. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to other contracts for enterprise data warehouses, data lakes, or federated data management systems awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, or other large civilian agencies. Factors such as the scope of data sources, complexity of integration, security requirements, and the specific technologies employed heavily influence pricing. While $29.8 million is substantial, it may represent good value if the system delivers comprehensive capabilities and meets critical VA needs, especially considering the fixed-price nature which caps potential cost overruns for the government.

What is L3Harris Technologies' track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar federal IT projects?

L3Harris Technologies is a major defense contractor with extensive experience in providing IT solutions and services to various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their track record typically involves large-scale system integration, cybersecurity, and mission-critical technology support. For the VA specifically, L3Harris has likely been involved in numerous projects supporting the agency's vast IT infrastructure. Their experience in managing complex IT programs, delivering on fixed-price contracts, and navigating the stringent requirements of federal agencies suggests a capable partner for the EMFFDR project. A detailed review of their past performance ratings and contract history with the VA would provide further insight into their reliability and success rates.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term (1429 days) fixed-price contract for a data repository system?

A long-term, fixed-price contract for a data repository system presents several potential risks. Firstly, scope creep can be a significant issue; if the requirements evolve substantially over the contract's duration, the fixed price may no longer adequately cover the work, potentially leading to disputes or the contractor seeking change orders. Secondly, technological obsolescence is a risk; data repository technologies evolve rapidly, and a system designed and implemented over several years might be outdated by its completion. Thirdly, contractor performance degradation over time is possible, especially if incentives are not structured to maintain high quality throughout the entire period. Finally, the fixed price might incentivize the contractor to cut corners on quality or innovation to maximize profit, potentially impacting the long-term maintainability and scalability of the repository.

How does the 'full and open competition' award mechanism impact the cost-effectiveness and innovation for this VA contract?

The 'full and open competition' award mechanism is designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and foster innovation by allowing any responsible source to submit a proposal. This broad competition typically drives down prices as multiple vendors vie for the contract, forcing them to offer their best value. It also encourages innovation because contractors are motivated to propose unique or superior technical solutions to win the award. For this VA contract, the fact that it was competed fully and openly suggests that the VA sought the most competitive pricing and the most suitable technological approach. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which should have contributed to a more favorable outcome for the government compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Industry Classification

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

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: R3114403A

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)

Address: 2400 PALM BAY RD NE, PALM BAY, FL, 32905

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,525,654

Exercised Options: $29,779,187

Current Obligation: $29,779,187

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q09BGD0031

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline