VA awards $26.5M for VHA maintenance to C. Watkins & Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,526,851 ($26.5M)

Contractor: C. Watkins & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-08-01

End Date: 2016-06-15

Contract Duration: 2,145 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 37

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MAINTENANCE FOR 250 THROUGHOUT VHA

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78744

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $26.5 million to C. WATKINS & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: MAINTENANCE FOR 250 THROUGHOUT VHA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT maintenance services for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 2. The contract value is $26.5 million over a period of approximately 6 years. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for exclusion. 4. The sector is Information Technology, specifically Computer Systems Design Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract was awarded via Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. Pricing assessment is difficult without knowing the base contract's terms and the specific services rendered under this order.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded. This could impact price discovery if the excluded sources were significant competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for IT maintenance. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing competitive pricing is a key factor in the overall taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical IT systems within the VHA. Supports the healthcare services provided to veterans by maintaining essential technology. Potential for cost savings or overspending depending on the pricing structure and competition effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Competition method raises questions about potential limitations on price discovery.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it hard to assess value.
Contract duration is long, increasing risk of price escalation or obsolescence.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a single vendor, potentially allowing for specialized expertise.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending benchmarks for similar maintenance contracts can vary widely based on the complexity and criticality of the systems being supported.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if C. Watkins & Associates, Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a Delivery Order, suggesting it was placed against an existing contract. Oversight would involve monitoring the performance and adherence to terms of this specific order and the parent contract.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns if pricing is not competitive.
Risk of vendor lock-in or dependency.
Technology obsolescence over the contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $26.5 million to C. WATKINS & ASSOCIATES, INC.. MAINTENANCE FOR 250 THROUGHOUT VHA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C. WATKINS & ASSOCIATES, 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 $26.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-01. End: 2016-06-15.

What specific IT systems are covered under this maintenance contract, and how critical are they to VHA operations?

The contract specifies 'MAINTENANCE FOR 250 THROUGHOUT VHA', implying it covers 250 distinct IT systems or components across the Veterans Health Administration. The criticality of these systems is high, as they likely support patient care, medical records, and administrative functions essential for veteran healthcare delivery.

What were the specific reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs due to specific requirements, such as unique capabilities, security clearances, or prior performance history that only a limited number of vendors can meet. Understanding these reasons is crucial to assess if the exclusion unduly limited competition and potentially inflated costs.

How does the per-unit cost or service rate compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT maintenance services?

Without a detailed breakdown of the services provided and their associated rates, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. The total award of $26.5 million over approximately 6 years suggests an average annual spend of around $4.4 million, but the actual value depends heavily on the scope and complexity of the maintenance.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 37

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 23 GRISWOLD CT, STERLING, VA, 20165

Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,099,403

Exercised Options: $26,526,851

Current Obligation: $26,526,851

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0509Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline