VA's $23.5M IT hardware support contract awarded to By Light Professional IT Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,453,361 ($23.5M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2019-03-31

End Date: 2024-03-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TRANSFORMATION TWENTY-ONE TOTAL TECHNOLOGY NEXT GENERATION (T4NG)AWARD FOR VA CONSOLIDATED NEC CALL CONTROL SERVER (CCS) HARDWARE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $23.5 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TRANSFORMATION TWENTY-ONE TOTAL TECHNOLOGY NEXT GENERATION (T4NG)AWARD FOR VA CONSOLIDATED NEC CALL CONTROL SERVER (CCS) HARDWARE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential hardware support for VA's consolidated call control servers. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. This spending supports critical IT infrastructure for veteran services. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.5 million over five years for IT hardware support appears reasonable given the scope of supporting consolidated call control servers for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT infrastructure support contracts within the federal government suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty for the government, although it requires careful contractor performance monitoring to ensure value.

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 bids. The presence of 4 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that is expected to drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment in critical IT infrastructure.

Public Impact

Veterans benefit through the reliable operation of communication systems that support their access to VA services. The contract ensures the continued functionality of the VA's Consolidated Call Control Server (CCS) hardware. Services are primarily delivered within the United States, supporting federal agency operations. The contract supports IT professionals employed by By Light Professional IT Services LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized hardware knowledge is not adequately transferred.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical hardware support could pose risks if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs and budget predictability.
Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for essential IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The federal IT market is substantial, with agencies like the VA investing heavily in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure to support mission-critical operations. This contract for hardware support is a component of the broader IT spending aimed at ensuring the reliability and efficiency of communication systems.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific small business subcontracting requirements indicated in the provided data. The award went to a prime contractor, By Light Professional IT Services LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including this one. Performance is monitored to ensure compliance with the contract terms and conditions. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

VA IT Modernization
Federal IT Hardware Procurement
Consolidated Communications Systems Support
IT Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for performance degradation if contractor resources are insufficient.
Risk of obsolescence for supported hardware over the contract's 5-year term.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $23.5 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. IGF::OT::IGF TRANSFORMATION TWENTY-ONE TOTAL TECHNOLOGY NEXT GENERATION (T4NG)AWARD FOR VA CONSOLIDATED NEC CALL CONTROL SERVER (CCS) HARDWARE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES 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 $23.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-31. End: 2024-03-30.

What is the track record of By Light Professional IT Services LLC with the VA?

By Light Professional IT Services LLC has a history of contracting with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This specific contract, the T4NG award for CCS hardware support, represents a significant engagement. Analyzing past performance on similar VA contracts, including adherence to schedules, quality of service, and customer satisfaction, would provide a more comprehensive view of their reliability and capability. Reviewing contract close-out data and any past performance evaluations would be crucial for a thorough assessment.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar IT hardware support contracts?

The total contract value of $23.5 million over five years, averaging approximately $4.7 million annually, needs to be benchmarked against comparable IT hardware support contracts within the federal government. Factors such as the specific hardware supported (CCS), the scope of support (maintenance, repair, replacement), and the service level agreements (SLAs) are critical for a fair comparison. Without detailed breakdowns of labor rates, parts costs, and service inclusions, a precise comparison is difficult, but the firm fixed-price nature suggests a degree of cost control.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include potential performance issues if the contractor fails to meet service level agreements for hardware support, leading to disruptions in veteran communication services. There's also a risk of cost overruns if unforeseen hardware failures require extensive or expensive repairs beyond the initial scope, although the firm fixed-price structure mitigates this for the government. Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure support could also be a risk if the contractor experiences financial instability or operational challenges.

How effective is the VA's Consolidated Call Control Server (CCS) hardware support?

The effectiveness of the VA's CCS hardware support is primarily measured by the reliability and availability of the communication systems it underpins. Metrics such as system uptime, response times for hardware issues, and the successful resolution rate of support tickets would indicate effectiveness. The fact that this is a multi-year contract awarded under competition suggests a perceived need and a level of satisfaction with the services provided, but ongoing performance monitoring is essential to confirm sustained effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar IT hardware support at the VA?

Historical spending patterns for IT hardware support at the VA are likely substantial, given the agency's size and reliance on technology to serve millions of veterans. Analyzing past budgets and expenditures for IT infrastructure, including communication systems and server hardware maintenance, would reveal trends. This contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment. Understanding whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time for similar services can provide context for the current award's value and necessity.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8484 WESTPARK DR STE 600, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,453,361

Exercised Options: $23,453,361

Current Obligation: $23,453,361

Actual Outlays: $446,938

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $7,831,056

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11816D1019

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline