VA awards $2.1M IT services contract to Epoch Concepts LLC, emphasizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,119,169 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Epoch Concepts LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 942 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: GENISIS SUPPLEMENTARY

Place of Performance

Location: ASPINWALL, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15215

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.1 million to EPOCH CONCEPTS LLC for work described as: GENISIS SUPPLEMENTARY Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. 3. The duration of the contract is 942 days, spanning over two years. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which provides cost certainty. 5. The award was made via a Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contractor, Epoch Concepts LLC, is based in Pennsylvania. 7. The contract value is $2,119,169.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.1 million for IT services over approximately 2.5 years appears reasonable for the scope of 'Other Computer Related Services'. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support and consulting services within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed price structure helps manage cost risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. While the 'after exclusion of sources' phrasing might suggest a prior limited competition, the primary designation indicates a broad solicitation. The presence of two bids suggests some level of competition, but the exact number of interested parties and the evaluation process would determine the strength of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings from contractors vying for the business.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving IT services. The services delivered are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services', likely supporting VA's IT infrastructure and operations. The geographic impact is centered around the contractor's location in Pennsylvania, though the services may support VA operations nationwide. The contract supports the IT workforce, potentially through Epoch Concepts LLC's employees or subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand if competition was truly maximized.
Limited details on the specific IT services provided make it difficult to assess performance risks.
The contractor's track record with similar VA IT contracts is not detailed here.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating a commitment to broad market engagement.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides budget predictability.
The contract duration is substantial, suggesting a stable need for the services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is vast and highly competitive. This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), which can encompass a wide range of IT support, consulting, and integration activities. Federal spending in this category is significant, with agencies constantly seeking to modernize infrastructure and enhance digital capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the 'other computer related services' provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Epoch Concepts LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own business practices and the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a potentially larger contract vehicle, oversight might also be influenced by the terms of that base contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Support Services
Cloud Computing Services
Cybersecurity Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'after exclusion of sources' clause.
Lack of detailed service description hinders performance risk assessment.
Contractor's past performance data not readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.1 million to EPOCH CONCEPTS LLC. GENISIS SUPPLEMENTARY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EPOCH CONCEPTS 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' being provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies the service under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services'. This is a broad category that can include IT consulting, systems integration, IT support, network management, and other computer-related professional services not elsewhere classified. Without a detailed statement of work or contract description, the precise services are unknown. However, given the awarding agency is the Department of Veterans Affairs, these services likely support the agency's critical IT infrastructure, electronic health records systems, or other digital platforms essential for veteran services.

How does the awarded price of $2.1 million compare to market rates for similar IT services?

A precise market rate comparison for $2.1 million in 'Other Computer Related Services' is challenging without knowing the specific deliverables and service levels. However, federal IT service contracts can vary widely in price based on complexity, duration, and required expertise. The firm fixed price nature suggests the government has negotiated a set cost. Benchmarking would involve comparing the estimated hourly rates or project costs against industry standards for comparable roles (e.g., IT analysts, system administrators, consultants) in the Pennsylvania region or for federal contracts of similar scope and duration. The fact that it was competed suggests the price was deemed acceptable by the bidders.

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

Potential risks include contractor performance issues, where Epoch Concepts LLC might fail to deliver services meeting the required quality or timeliness. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen complexities, although this is mitigated by the FFP structure. Technical risks, such as integration challenges with existing VA systems or cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced by the contractor, are also present. Finally, personnel risks, like key staff turnover at Epoch Concepts LLC, could disrupt service continuity. The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect might also imply a risk if the initial exclusion limited the pool of qualified bidders.

What is Epoch Concepts LLC's track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with the VA?

Information regarding Epoch Concepts LLC's specific track record with federal IT contracts, especially with the Department of Veterans Affairs, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their experience with similar service types and contract vehicles would provide insight into their reliability and capability to fulfill this $2.1 million award effectively.

How does this contract fit into the VA's broader IT modernization or support strategy?

This contract likely supports the VA's ongoing efforts to maintain, upgrade, or expand its IT infrastructure and services. Agencies like the VA rely heavily on robust IT systems for managing veteran health records, benefits processing, and internal operations. Contracts for 'Other Computer Related Services' often fill gaps in internal IT capabilities, provide specialized expertise, or support specific projects. The duration and value suggest a significant, ongoing need rather than a short-term project, potentially aligning with longer-term IT modernization goals or essential operational support functions within the VA.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - STORAGE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10A23Q0187

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1510 W CANAL CT STE 1000, LITTLETON, CO, 80120

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,847,718

Exercised Options: $2,119,169

Current Obligation: $2,119,169

Actual Outlays: $2,083,394

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD30B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline