VA Awards $5.9M Turnkey Interactive Patient TV System to Alvarez LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,919,789 ($5.9M)

Contractor: Alvarez LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2023-03-30

End Date: 2027-03-30

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/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: TURNKEY INTERACTIVE PATIENT TELEVISION SYSTEM (IPTS) SOLUTION FOR CLEVELAND VAMC

Place of Performance

Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44106

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $5.9 million to ALVAREZ LLC for work described as: TURNKEY INTERACTIVE PATIENT TELEVISION SYSTEM (IPTS) SOLUTION FOR CLEVELAND VAMC Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a $5.9 million contract for an interactive patient television system. 2. The contract was awarded to Alvarez LLC under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. This spending falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category. 4. The contract duration is approximately 4 years, ending in March 2027.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.9 million for a 4-year interactive patient TV system appears to be within a reasonable range for such technology, though specific feature sets and unit costs would be needed for a precise comparison. Without detailed pricing breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively assess value against market benchmarks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract utilized 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing by allowing multiple vendors to bid, though the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into its justification and impact on the final price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process is designed to secure the best value for taxpayers, but the specific impact depends on the rigor of the evaluation and the number of qualified bidders.

Public Impact

Enhances patient experience and engagement within VA medical centers. Provides access to entertainment, information, and communication services for veterans. Supports the VA's modernization efforts in healthcare delivery technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope creep occurs.
Dependence on a single vendor for system maintenance and upgrades.
Need to ensure system interoperability with existing VA infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Improves patient satisfaction and potentially aids in recovery.
Leverages technology to deliver modern healthcare services.
Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad category. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity of the IT solution. Benchmarks for interactive patient systems are not readily available without more specific technical details.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Alvarez LLC, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation goals were met.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms should be in place to monitor performance, delivery, and adherence to contract terms, ensuring accountability for the funds expended.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed cost breakdown.
Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' justification.
No clear performance metrics provided.
Potential for vendor lock-in with a turnkey solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $5.9 million to ALVAREZ LLC. TURNKEY INTERACTIVE PATIENT TELEVISION SYSTEM (IPTS) SOLUTION FOR CLEVELAND VAMC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALVAREZ 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 $5.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-30. End: 2027-03-30.

What specific features and services are included in the 'Turnkey Interactive Patient Television System' to justify the $5.9 million cost over four years?

The contract details do not specify the exact features of the IPTS. A comprehensive system would likely include high-definition televisions, interactive software for patient education, entertainment options, communication tools (like video calls), and potentially integration with electronic health records. The 'turnkey' aspect suggests a complete solution including installation, training, and maintenance, contributing to the overall cost.

What was the justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in the full and open competition process, and did it limit the potential for better pricing?

The justification for excluding sources is not provided in the data. Typically, such exclusions are based on specific technical requirements, existing infrastructure compatibility, or unique capabilities. Without this rationale, it's impossible to assess if the exclusion unduly limited competition or prevented potentially lower bids from other qualified vendors.

How will the effectiveness of the IPTS in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction be measured and evaluated by the VA?

The contract data does not specify performance metrics or evaluation methods for the IPTS. The VA should have established key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, patient usage rates, patient satisfaction surveys, and potentially the impact on patient education completion. Regular performance reviews would be crucial to ensure the system meets its intended objectives.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 161 FORT EVANS RD NE STE 335, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, 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: $6,944,496

Exercised Options: $5,919,789

Current Obligation: $5,919,789

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD19B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline