VA awards $42.6M for research and advisory services to Gartner, Inc. over 3+ years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $42,662,226 ($42.7M)

Contractor: Gartner, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-08-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,552 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: STAMFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06902

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $42.7 million to GARTNER, INC. for work described as: RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential research and advisory services to support VA's mission. 2. Gartner, Inc., a large established firm, holds the contract. 3. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 4. Performance period spans over three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $42.6 million over approximately 4.25 years suggests a significant investment in research and advisory services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for large-scale IT consulting and advisory services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, Gartner is a well-known provider in this space, implying a degree of established pricing and service delivery expectations. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award. While full and open competition is generally preferred, the number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible pricing and services by allowing all eligible vendors to participate and submit proposals.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from enhanced research and advisory capabilities. Services delivered likely support strategic planning, technology adoption, and operational improvements within the VA. The geographic impact is national, supporting VA operations across the United States. Workforce implications may include leveraging external expertise to augment internal VA staff capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services become deeply integrated without clear exit strategies.
Reliance on external expertise may not foster internal skill development within the VA.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed tightly against the defined SOW.

Positive Signals

Access to specialized knowledge and best practices from a leading advisory firm.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Competition ensures a baseline level of market validation for the chosen vendor and services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on IT-related advisory and research. The market for such services is large and competitive, with major players like Gartner, IDC, and Forrester providing similar offerings. The VA's spending aligns with broader government trends of leveraging external expertise for complex IT modernization and strategic planning initiatives.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of specific small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data. The primary awardee is Gartner, Inc., a large corporation. This means the direct economic benefit to small businesses from this specific contract is likely limited unless Gartner actively engages them as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is typically managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability is ensured through contract performance reviews, milestone tracking, and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is facilitated by contract award data being publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

IT Consulting Services
Management and Financial Consulting, Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities (excluding medical research)
Information Technology Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on external expertise
Scope creep risk
Effectiveness dependent on VA's internal capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $42.7 million to GARTNER, INC.. RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARTNER, 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 $42.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is Gartner's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Gartner, Inc. has a history of providing services to various government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. While specific details of past VA contracts are not provided here, Gartner's general reputation is that of a major IT research and advisory firm. Their engagement with the VA likely stems from a need for expert guidance on technology strategy, procurement, and implementation. Past performance reviews, if available through government databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), would offer deeper insight into their specific track record with the VA, including timeliness, quality of deliverables, and overall customer satisfaction.

How does the $42.6 million contract value compare to similar VA IT advisory contracts?

The $42.6 million contract value for research and advisory services over approximately 4.25 years is substantial, reflecting the complexity and scope of support required by a large agency like the VA. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against other VA contracts for similar IT research, strategic consulting, and advisory services, particularly those awarded through full and open competition. Factors such as the specific deliverables, duration, and the level of expertise required would influence the price. Without direct comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it falls within the expected range for significant advisory engagements with federal agencies.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the VA?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes overly reliant on Gartner's proprietary methodologies or insights, making it difficult to switch providers or develop internal expertise. Performance risk, related to the quality and timeliness of Gartner's deliverables, is also present, although mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure and oversight. Finally, there's a risk that the advisory services may not translate into tangible, measurable improvements in VA operations or technology adoption if not properly implemented and managed by the agency.

How effective are Gartner's advisory services likely to be for the VA's IT modernization efforts?

Gartner's effectiveness for the VA's IT modernization efforts hinges on several factors. Their strength lies in providing industry best practices, market intelligence, and strategic guidance based on extensive research. This can be highly valuable for identifying emerging technologies, evaluating vendor solutions, and developing roadmaps. However, the ultimate effectiveness depends on the VA's ability to internalize and act upon this advice. Successful implementation requires strong internal project management, clear articulation of VA-specific needs, and a commitment to change management. If the VA leverages Gartner's insights strategically and integrates them into actionable plans, the impact on IT modernization can be significant.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar research and advisory services at the VA?

Historical spending patterns for research and advisory services at the VA, and across the federal government, have generally shown a consistent need for external expertise in areas like IT strategy, digital transformation, and operational efficiency. Agencies often contract with firms like Gartner, Forrester, or IDC to gain objective insights and leverage specialized knowledge that may not exist internally. The total dollar amounts can fluctuate year-to-year based on agency priorities and budget allocations. Analyzing past VA spending on NAICS code 541519 or similar service categories would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured, providing context for the current $42.6 million award.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 56 TOP GALLANT RD, STAMFORD, CT, 06902

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $88,443,383

Exercised Options: $42,662,226

Current Obligation: $42,662,226

Actual Outlays: $22,643,842

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D008L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline