VA awards Northrop Grumman $19.6M for VETSNET Logical Follow-On

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,623,981 ($19.6M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-04-01

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 547 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: VETSNET LOGICAL FOLLOW-ON

Place of Performance

Location: HINES, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60141

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $19.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: VETSNET LOGICAL FOLLOW-ON Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single large business, Northrop Grumman. 2. Spending is within the Wired Telecommunications Carriers sector. 3. Potential for cost overruns exists due to Time and Materials pricing. 4. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $19.6M for a 547-day duration appears reasonable for a logical follow-on. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring for potential cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific award type (Delivery Order) and the nature of the follow-on work may limit the scope for future competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for this contract. The efficiency of the spending will depend on the successful delivery of VETSNET services and the cost controls implemented.

Public Impact

Supports the Department of Veterans Affairs' IT infrastructure. Ensures continuity of critical VETSNET services for veterans. Potential impact on IT service providers in the telecommunications sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Time and Materials pricing
  • No small business participation

Positive Signals

  • Full and open competition
  • Follow-on contract for existing system

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically related to telecommunications infrastructure. Spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. This represents a missed opportunity to support small businesses within the federal contracting landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight. The use of Time and Materials pricing necessitates robust monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent overspending.

Related Government Programs

  • Wired Telecommunications Carriers
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
  • Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
  • Lack of small business participation.
  • Reliance on a single large contractor.
  • Limited transparency on specific service details.

Tags

wired-telecommunications-carriers, department-of-veterans-affairs, il, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $19.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. VETSNET LOGICAL FOLLOW-ON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

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 $19.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-01. End: 2011-09-30.

What specific IT services does the VETSNET Logical Follow-On entail, and how do they align with VA's strategic IT goals?

The VETSNET Logical Follow-On likely involves maintaining, enhancing, or extending the existing VETSNET system, which is crucial for managing veterans' benefits and healthcare. Its alignment with strategic goals would depend on whether the VA is modernizing, expanding, or sustaining this platform as part of its broader digital transformation efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure for this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risk of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing is the potential for cost overruns as the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs, with less incentive for efficiency. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing labor hour ceilings, detailed cost tracking, regular progress reviews, and potentially incorporating cost-plus-fixed-fee elements for certain tasks.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the VA's mission of serving veterans, considering the investment and potential risks?

The contract's effectiveness hinges on the successful delivery of VETSNET services, which are vital for veteran benefits administration. While the investment is significant, the T&M pricing introduces cost risk. Effective oversight and management are crucial to ensure the funds translate into reliable IT support that directly benefits veterans and upholds the VA's mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: InformationWired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)Wired Telecommunications Carriers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: VA798A-10-RP-0070

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Northrop Grumman Corporation (UEI: 967356127)

Address: 8110 GATEHOUSE ROAD, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,623,981

Exercised Options: $19,623,981

Current Obligation: $19,623,981

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: V797049A3GP072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-04-01

Current End Date: 2011-09-30

Potential End Date: 2011-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2017-07-13

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