VA's $24.7M RTLS contract for VISN 11 awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,718,767 ($24.7M)

Contractor: Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2011-09-23

End Date: 2018-04-30

Contract Duration: 2,411 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS) VISN 11

Place of Performance

Location: INDIANAPOLIS, MARION County, INDIANA, 46202

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $24.7 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS) VISN 11 Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price, indicating clear cost expectations. 3. The contract duration was substantial, spanning over 2000 days, suggesting a long-term need. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334119 points to a focus on computer peripheral equipment manufacturing, though the contract name suggests a service. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 7. The contract was awarded in Indiana.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the 'REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS)' services provided. The total award amount of $24.7 million over its duration suggests a significant investment. However, without comparable contracts for similar RTLS implementations within the VA or other federal agencies, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the system's implementation and operation are not detailed here.

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 fact that there were 9 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this generally helps in achieving a fair market price and encourages vendors to offer their best solutions and pricing to win the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are likely the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the veterans it serves, through improved operational efficiency and asset tracking within VISN 11. The services delivered likely involve the implementation and maintenance of a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) to track assets, personnel, or patients. The geographic impact is focused on VISN 11, which covers facilities in Indiana. Potential workforce implications could include training for VA staff on the new system and potential changes in how certain tasks are performed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The NAICS code 334119 (Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing) seems misaligned with the contract description 'REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS)', potentially indicating an administrative error or a very specific interpretation of the system's components.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the actual value and effectiveness of the RTLS system delivered.
The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) could lead to technology obsolescence if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with multiple bidders (9), indicating a robust and competitive process.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
The contract addresses a specific operational need for real-time location services, which can enhance efficiency and resource management.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Services sector, specifically related to asset tracking and management solutions. Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are increasingly adopted across various industries, including healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing, to improve operational visibility and efficiency. The market for RTLS is growing, driven by the need for better inventory management, patient tracking, and workflow optimization. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and specific technology of the RTLS deployed, but investments in such systems can range from thousands to millions of dollars depending on the complexity and coverage.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included specific small business set-asides. The contract was awarded to Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC, a large business. Further investigation would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses as part of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be less publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs IT Services
Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Procurement
Asset Tracking Solutions
Healthcare Technology Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential NAICS code misalignment with contract description.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $24.7 million to PERATON ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS LLC. REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS) VISN 11

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 $24.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-09-23. End: 2018-04-30.

What specific RTLS technology was implemented, and how does it compare to current market offerings?

The provided data does not specify the exact RTLS technology implemented under this contract. Real-Time Location Systems can utilize various technologies such as RFID, GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. Each technology has different strengths in terms of accuracy, range, cost, and infrastructure requirements. Without knowing the specific technology chosen by Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC for VISN 11, a direct comparison to current market offerings is not possible. However, the market has evolved significantly since the contract's award in 2011, with newer, more integrated, and potentially more cost-effective solutions becoming available. The VA would need to assess if the implemented system remains state-of-the-art or if upgrades are necessary to leverage advancements in RTLS.

How did the 9 bidders compare in terms of technical solutions and pricing during the competition phase?

The provided data indicates that the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' with 9 bidders. However, it does not offer details on the specific technical solutions proposed by each bidder or their respective pricing structures. Typically, during the evaluation phase of a competitive procurement, the government assesses proposals based on predefined criteria, which often include technical merit, past performance, management approach, and price. The selection of Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC implies that their proposal was deemed the most advantageous to the government, considering all evaluation factors. To understand how the bidders compared, one would need access to the source selection decision document or other procurement records, which are usually not publicly available in full detail.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how was performance measured?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or details on how the performance of the 'REAL TIME LOCATION SYSTEM (RTLS) VISN 11' contract was measured. For a contract of this nature, typical KPIs might include system uptime, location accuracy, data refresh rates, user satisfaction, and the achievement of operational efficiencies (e.g., reduced search times for assets, improved patient flow). The firm fixed-price nature suggests that performance would be monitored to ensure the contractor fulfilled all contractual obligations. Without access to contract performance reports or the Performance Work Statement (PWS), a detailed assessment of performance measurement is not possible.

What is the historical spending trend for RTLS systems within the VA or VISN 11?

The provided data only includes details for this specific $24.7 million contract awarded in 2011. It does not offer information on historical spending trends for RTLS systems within the VA or VISN 11 prior to or subsequent to this award. To establish a historical spending trend, one would need to analyze a series of contracts related to RTLS procurement and maintenance across the VA over an extended period. This would involve searching contract databases for similar services, identifying the total expenditure, and analyzing any patterns in contract values, durations, and awarded vendors over time. Such an analysis could reveal whether spending on RTLS has increased, decreased, or remained stable.

What is the track record of Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC in delivering similar RTLS solutions to government agencies?

The provided data identifies Peraton Enterprise Solutions LLC as the awardee but does not detail their track record in delivering similar RTLS solutions. Peraton is a large government contractor, and their past performance is typically evaluated during the procurement process. To assess their track record specifically for RTLS, one would need to review their contract history, client testimonials, and any performance reviews or past performance questionnaires submitted for previous, similar contracts. Information regarding their success or challenges in implementing RTLS for other agencies would provide crucial context for evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of their delivery on this VA contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA-251-11-RP-0068

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: DXC Technology Company (UEI: 080521853)

Address: 13600 EDS DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,718,767

Exercised Options: $24,718,767

Current Obligation: $24,718,767

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 56

Total Subaward Amount: $3,499,529

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(G)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline