VA.gov Platform Awarded $71.5M Task Order to Oddball, Inc. for Custom Computer Programming

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $71,525,998 ($71.5M)

Contractor: Oddball, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-05-13

End Date: 2026-05-12

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VA.GOV PLATFORM AWARD AND OPTIONAL TASK EXERCISE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $71.5 million to ODDBALL, INC. for work described as: VA.GOV PLATFORM AWARD AND OPTIONAL TASK EXERCISE Key points: 1. The award represents a significant investment in the VA.gov platform's ongoing development and maintenance. 2. Competition details are limited, but the contract type suggests a structured procurement process. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and ensuring continued cost-effectiveness over the contract's life. 4. The IT sector, particularly custom software development, is characterized by rapid innovation and evolving needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $71.5M task order is a substantial amount for custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale platform development contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information, but the price appears within a plausible range for a multi-year, comprehensive project.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offering.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from an improved and potentially more stable VA.gov platform, enhancing their access to services. The contract supports the modernization of a critical government digital service, impacting millions of users. This award signifies continued federal investment in digital transformation initiatives within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep on a large platform development contract.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical platform functionality.
Ensuring long-term maintainability and knowledge transfer.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract type can provide cost certainty.
Long-term award provides stability for platform development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this area is high across government, driven by the need for modern, secure, and user-friendly digital platforms. Benchmarks vary widely based on project complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication of small business participation in this particular task order. Future efforts should explore opportunities for small business subcontracting to foster broader economic impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight mechanisms, including regular performance reviews and milestone tracking, are crucial to ensure the contractor meets objectives and taxpayer funds are managed effectively.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Complexity of managing large-scale IT development.
Ensuring long-term cost-effectiveness.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $71.5 million to ODDBALL, INC.. VA.GOV PLATFORM AWARD AND OPTIONAL TASK EXERCISE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODDBALL, 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 $71.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-13. End: 2026-05-12.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the success and value delivered by Oddball, Inc. for the VA.gov platform over the contract period?

Success metrics should encompass user satisfaction scores, platform uptime and performance, successful implementation of new features, reduction in critical bugs, and timely completion of milestones. The VA should establish clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to these areas and regularly assess Oddball's performance against them to ensure value for money and effective service delivery.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for the continued development and maintenance of a critical platform like VA.gov?

Key risks include vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes overly dependent on Oddball's proprietary knowledge and processes, making future transitions difficult and costly. There's also a risk of reduced innovation if the vendor's focus narrows, and potential price increases upon contract renewal. Mitigating these requires strong contract management, clear exit strategies, and fostering an environment where knowledge sharing is prioritized.

How will the VA ensure that the custom programming services provided by Oddball, Inc. lead to tangible improvements in veteran services and user experience on VA.gov?

The VA must ensure that Oddball's development efforts are directly aligned with veteran needs and feedback. This involves incorporating user research, usability testing, and iterative development cycles based on veteran input. Regular reviews of feature implementation and their impact on user task completion rates and satisfaction will be critical to demonstrating effectiveness and ensuring the platform truly serves its intended audience.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10B22Q0141

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1775 TYSONS BLVD, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $91,012,008

Exercised Options: $71,525,998

Current Obligation: $71,525,998

Actual Outlays: $50,230,047

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F666GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline