VA awards $116.8K for telemetric vehicle data and tracking services to Verizon Connect NWF Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $116,790 ($116.8K)

Contractor: Verizon Connect NWF Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2017-09-24

End Date: 2022-09-23

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $64/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TELEMETRIC VEHICLE DATA AND TRACKING

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43219

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $116,790.24 to VERIZON CONNECT NWF INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TELEMETRIC VEHICLE DATA AND TRACKING Key points: 1. Contract value represents a small portion of overall federal spending on similar services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market. 3. Performance period of 5 years indicates a need for stable, long-term service. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334511 points to a specialized manufacturing sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $116.8K is relatively low, making direct comparison to larger federal contracts challenging. However, for telemetric vehicle data and tracking services, this amount appears reasonable for a 5-year duration. Without specific per-unit data or detailed service scope, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar smaller-scale VA or other agency contracts for fleet management technology would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a single award suggests that Verizon Connect NWF Inc. was the most advantageous offer received based on the evaluation criteria. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed by the number of bidders, generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs personnel will benefit from improved vehicle tracking and data management. Services delivered include telemetric data and tracking for vehicles, likely enhancing fleet efficiency and operational awareness. The geographic impact is primarily within Ohio, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely affecting a small team within the VA responsible for fleet management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on specific performance metrics or service level agreements.
Potential for vendor lock-in if data integration is complex.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical fleet data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract (5 years) indicates a stable and ongoing need for the service.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Telecommunications sector, specifically related to data and tracking solutions. The NAICS code 334511, 'Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing,' suggests a focus on specialized hardware or integrated systems. Federal spending in fleet management and telematics is significant, driven by the need for operational efficiency, safety, and asset tracking across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award, though larger prime contractors often have broader subcontracting requirements on other, larger contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fleet Management Services
Vehicle Telematics and Tracking Systems
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Services
Navigation and Guidance Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited detail on specific service deliverables.
Potential for data security and privacy concerns with telemetric data.
Performance metrics not explicitly stated in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $116,790.24 to VERIZON CONNECT NWF INC. IGF::OT::IGF TELEMETRIC VEHICLE DATA AND TRACKING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VERIZON CONNECT NWF 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 $116,790.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-24. End: 2022-09-23.

What is the specific nature of the telemetric data collected and how is it utilized by the VA?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the telemetric data collected beyond 'vehicle data and tracking.' Typically, this includes GPS location, speed, mileage, engine diagnostics, and driver behavior metrics. The VA likely utilizes this data for fleet management purposes, such as optimizing routes, monitoring fuel efficiency, ensuring vehicle maintenance schedules are met, enhancing driver safety, and improving overall operational awareness of its vehicle assets. The specific utilization would depend on the VA's internal fleet management policies and objectives.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar telemetric tracking services in the commercial market?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $116.8K contract over five years to the commercial market is challenging without detailed service level agreements and per-unit costs (e.g., cost per vehicle per month). However, the total contract value suggests a relatively small fleet or a limited scope of services. Commercial telematics solutions can range from a few dollars to tens of dollars per vehicle per month, depending on features. Given the federal procurement process and the specific vendor, this contract likely represents a competitive rate for the services rendered, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract, and how is performance monitored?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for telemetric vehicle data and tracking services, typical KPIs might include data accuracy, system uptime, report generation timeliness, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs) regarding data availability and support response times. Performance monitoring would be conducted by the VA's contracting officer's representative (COR) or designated program manager, who would review contractor reports, system performance data, and potentially conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance with contract terms.

What is Verizon Connect NWF Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly for telematics or fleet management?

Verizon Connect NWF Inc. is a known provider of fleet management and telematics solutions. While this specific contract is for a modest amount, Verizon (and its subsidiaries/predecessors) has a history of serving government entities. Accessing detailed contract history, including past performance evaluations and any disputes or awards on larger contracts, would require searching federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov. Their presence in the market suggests a capacity to meet federal requirements, but a deeper dive into their specific federal performance record would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

What is the historical spending trend for telemetric vehicle data and tracking services within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data only includes one contract award. To understand historical spending trends for telemetric vehicle data and tracking services within the VA, a broader analysis of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS) would be required. This would involve querying for similar NAICS codes and product/service codes over several fiscal years to identify patterns in spending levels, contract types, and awarded vendors. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to establish a historical trend based solely on this single award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9868 SCRANTON RD STE 1000, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92121

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: $116,790

Exercised Options: $116,790

Current Obligation: $116,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F5559R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline