VA awards $11M for Gigamon Packet Brokers and Support to Minburn Technology Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,054,513 ($11.1M)

Contractor: Minburn Technology Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-10-06

End Date: 2025-10-22

Contract Duration: 1,112 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/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: BRAND NAME GIGAMON PACKET BROKERS WITH ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20785

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $11.1 million to MINBURN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, LLC for work described as: BRAND NAME GIGAMON PACKET BROKERS WITH ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract value of $11.05 million over approximately three years suggests a significant investment in network visibility solutions. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the agency. 4. The award to Minburn Technology Group, LLC, highlights a specific vendor's role in providing critical IT infrastructure. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services. 6. The contract duration of 1112 days (approx. 3 years) indicates a medium-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.05 million for network visibility hardware and support appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of the equipment. Without specific per-unit pricing or detailed scope of work, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to manage costs effectively. The award was made after exclusion of sources, which warrants further investigation into the justification for this approach.

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 'full and open' aspect suggests an initial broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders may have been excluded from the final competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion clause could limit the breadth of competition and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open' competition, even with exclusions, generally aims to secure competitive pricing for taxpayers. However, the specific reasons for excluding sources would be critical to understanding if the best possible value was achieved.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits from enhanced network monitoring and security capabilities. The contract delivers essential Gigamon Packet Broker technology, crucial for network performance and troubleshooting. Technical support associated with the hardware ensures operational continuity and expert assistance. The services provided will likely support the VA's IT infrastructure across its various facilities. Improved network visibility can lead to better patient care by ensuring the reliability of connected systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires careful review to ensure fair competition and prevent potential price inflation.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits the assessment of competitive pressure.
The fixed-price contract type, while good for cost control, could lead to less flexibility if requirements change significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under 'Full and Open Competition' signals an intent to leverage market competition.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of over three years suggests a stable, long-term need for these critical network services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on network infrastructure and monitoring solutions. The market for network visibility tools, including packet brokers, is competitive, with several established vendors. The VA's spending in this area is consistent with the increasing reliance on robust network performance and security across federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal IT procurements for similar hardware and support services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. The award was made to Minburn Technology Group, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are included or likely to arise from this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified goods and services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed justifications for source exclusions are not always readily available.

Related Government Programs

Network Infrastructure Services
IT Hardware Procurement
Cybersecurity Technology
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of contractor underperformance on fixed-price contract if cost estimates were inaccurate.
Need for clear justification of source exclusion to ensure fair market practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $11.1 million to MINBURN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, LLC. BRAND NAME GIGAMON PACKET BROKERS WITH ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINBURN TECHNOLOGY GROUP, 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 $11.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-06. End: 2025-10-22.

What is the specific justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in this 'Full and Open Competition' award?

The justification for 'exclusion of sources' is critical for understanding the competitive landscape of this award. Typically, agencies exclude sources when there's a compelling reason, such as a need for compatibility with existing systems, unique capabilities possessed by only a few vendors, or specific security requirements. Without the agency's formal justification document, it's impossible to definitively state why certain vendors were excluded. This exclusion could potentially limit the number of competing offers and impact the final price achieved, even within a 'full and open' framework. Understanding this rationale is key to assessing whether the government obtained the best possible value and if the competition was truly as broad as the 'full and open' designation might imply.

How does the pricing of Gigamon Packet Brokers in this contract compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

Benchmarking the pricing for Gigamon Packet Brokers in this $11.05 million contract requires detailed information on the specific models, quantities, and support levels included. Federal procurement data systems (like FPDS) can provide some comparative data, but direct comparisons are often difficult due to variations in contract terms, discounts, and bundled services. Generally, large federal contracts can achieve significant volume discounts. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause raises a flag that might suggest less aggressive pricing than in a fully open, multi-bidder scenario. A thorough analysis would involve comparing the per-unit cost of the hardware and the hourly rates for technical support against publicly available pricing, GSA schedules, and other recent VA or DoD IT contracts for similar network visibility solutions.

What is Minburn Technology Group, LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar IT contracts?

Minburn Technology Group, LLC's track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and in executing similar IT contracts is a key indicator of performance risk. Reviewing their contract history within the VA can reveal patterns of successful delivery, contract modifications, past performance ratings, and any instances of disputes or terminations. For this specific contract, their ability to deliver Gigamon Packet Brokers and associated technical support on time and within budget will be crucial. Assessing their experience with network infrastructure, large-scale IT deployments, and fixed-price contracts provides insight into their capacity and reliability. A positive history suggests a lower risk of performance issues, while a history of challenges might warrant closer monitoring by the VA.

What are the potential risks associated with a fixed-price contract for complex IT hardware and support?

Fixed-price contracts, while beneficial for cost control, carry inherent risks, especially for complex IT hardware and support. One primary risk is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or service to maintain profitability if their initial cost estimates were too low or if unforeseen issues arise. For this Gigamon Packet Broker contract, this could manifest as suboptimal installation, inadequate training, or delayed technical support responses. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimated costs, they might seek change orders or modifications, potentially increasing the overall price. The 'exclusion of sources' could exacerbate this, as the contractor might feel less pressure to be highly competitive on price and service if the pool of competitors was limited.

How does this contract align with the VA's broader IT modernization and cybersecurity goals?

This contract for Gigamon Packet Brokers and technical support directly aligns with the VA's critical need for robust network visibility, which is foundational for both IT modernization and cybersecurity. Enhanced network monitoring allows the VA to better detect and respond to threats, troubleshoot performance issues impacting patient care systems, and manage complex network traffic. As the VA continues to modernize its IT infrastructure and adopt new technologies, maintaining a clear view of network activity becomes paramount. This investment supports the agency's ability to ensure the security and reliability of its digital services, which are essential for veterans' healthcare and benefits.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10B22Q0495

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9716 ARNON CHAPEL RD, GREAT FALLS, VA, 22066

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,053,496

Exercised Options: $11,054,513

Current Obligation: $11,054,513

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD34B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline