VA Awards $70.3M IT Contract to Light Professional IT Services for MyHealtheVet Operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,310,442 ($70.3M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-04-12

End Date: 2025-07-11

Contract Duration: 1,186 days

Daily Burn Rate: $59.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MY HEALTHEVET IT DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84113

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $70.3 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: MY HEALTHEVET IT DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Light Professional IT Services LLC for IT development, security, and operations. 2. The contract is for the MyHealtheVet platform, a key component of VA healthcare. 3. The award was made under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration is approximately 3.2 years. 5. The total value is $70.3 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $70.3 million for a 3.2-year duration appears reasonable for comprehensive IT development, security, and operations services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts within federal agencies would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple qualified vendors to bid, fostering competition and potentially leading to better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT services supporting veterans' healthcare.

Public Impact

Enhances MyHealtheVet, a critical portal for veterans to access health records and manage care. Ensures continued IT development, security, and operational support for a vital government system. Supports the digital infrastructure of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Potential for improved user experience and system reliability for veterans.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in IT development and operations.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure.
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive veteran health data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Clear contract duration and defined services.
Focus on a critical veteran-facing IT system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector (NAICS 541512). Spending in this sector is substantial across federal agencies, supporting a wide range of IT needs from software development to system integration and operations.

Small Business Impact

While the primary awardee is Light Professional IT Services LLC, the contract was awarded under full and open competition. It is not explicitly stated whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors, which is a common practice in larger IT contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight of this contract. Regular performance reviews and adherence to security protocols will be crucial for ensuring accountability and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not managed.
Vendor lock-in concerns.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $70.3 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. MY HEALTHEVET IT DEVELOPMENT, SECURITY, AND OPERATIONS

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 $70.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-12. End: 2025-07-11.

What is the projected impact of these IT services on the user experience and accessibility of MyHealtheVet for veterans?

The IT development, security, and operations services are intended to enhance the MyHealtheVet platform's functionality, reliability, and security. This should translate to a more seamless and accessible experience for veterans managing their health information, scheduling appointments, and communicating with providers. Improved system performance and new feature rollouts are key indicators to monitor for positive user impact.

What are the primary cybersecurity risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary cybersecurity risks involve potential breaches of sensitive veteran health data, system vulnerabilities, and denial-of-service attacks. Mitigation strategies likely include robust access controls, regular security audits, encryption of data, adherence to VA cybersecurity policies (e.g., NIST standards), and incident response plans. Continuous monitoring and prompt patching of vulnerabilities are essential.

How will the effectiveness of Light Professional IT Services LLC's performance be measured throughout the contract lifecycle?

Effectiveness will likely be measured through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to system uptime, response times for IT support, successful deployment of new features, security incident rates, and user satisfaction surveys. The VA will conduct regular performance reviews to ensure the contractor meets or exceeds contract requirements and delivers value.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

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: $70,310,442

Exercised Options: $70,310,442

Current Obligation: $70,310,442

Actual Outlays: $48,857,797

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $11,541,790

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