VA awards $725K contract for IT training and sustainment to Light Professional IT Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $725,707 ($725.7K)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-12-16

End Date: 2026-12-15

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $497/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $725,706.76 to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on computer systems design services, a critical area for IT infrastructure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 1460 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The awardee, Light Professional IT Services LLC, is a single entity, highlighting specific vendor selection. 6. This contract falls under the IT sector, aligning with the VA's digital transformation efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $725,706.76 over approximately four years suggests a moderate investment in IT training and sustainment. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for computer systems design services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost predictability. The value appears reasonable for specialized IT support, but a deeper dive into the specific deliverables would be needed for a more precise value-for-money assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This method generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service quality. The data does not specify the number of bidders, which would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition. A robust competition typically benefits the government by driving down costs and encouraging innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most advantageous for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and securing the best value for public funds.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel will benefit from enhanced IT training and sustainment services. The services delivered are crucial for maintaining and improving the VA's computer systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the VA's operational areas, likely supporting its national infrastructure. Workforce implications include potential upskilling of IT staff through training and ensuring operational continuity through sustainment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the training and sustainment.
The specific technical skills covered by the training are not detailed, raising questions about its alignment with current VA IT needs.
The sustainability aspect of the contract needs further clarification to understand long-term support mechanisms.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm fixed-price, which helps in budget management and cost control.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that could yield good value.
The contract duration indicates a commitment to long-term IT support and development for the VA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector (NAICS 541512), a vital component of the broader Information Technology (IT) industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including IT consulting, systems integration, and IT support. The IT market is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a constant demand for skilled professionals. The VA's spending in this area reflects its ongoing efforts to modernize its technological infrastructure and improve service delivery to veterans.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Light Professional IT Services LLC, is not specified as a small business, and further investigation would be needed to determine its size category and any potential subcontracting opportunities it might offer to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which make award details publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Training Services
Computer Systems Design
Sustainment Services
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if training needs evolve significantly.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical IT functions.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $725,706.76 to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT

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 $725,706.76.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-16. End: 2026-12-15.

What is the specific scope of work for 'HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT' under this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the service as 'HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT' and categorizes it under 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS 541512). While the exact nature of the training and sustainment is not detailed, it likely pertains to the operational readiness and maintenance of the VA's IT systems. This could encompass training VA personnel on new software or hardware, providing ongoing technical support, system updates, and ensuring the continuous functionality of critical IT infrastructure. A more granular understanding of the deliverables would require reviewing the contract's statement of work (SOW).

How does the $725,706.76 contract value compare to similar IT training and sustainment contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $725,706.76 contract value requires a comparative analysis of similar contracts for IT training and sustainment services. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with specific scopes of work, it is difficult to provide a precise comparison. However, for a four-year period, this value suggests a moderate investment. Larger, more complex IT modernization projects or agency-wide sustainment contracts would likely involve significantly higher dollar amounts. The value appears reasonable for specialized, targeted training and sustainment, but its true value-for-money depends heavily on the criticality and complexity of the systems supported and the training provided.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for IT training and sustainment contracts, KPIs might include metrics such as training completion rates, post-training performance improvements, system uptime percentages, incident resolution times, and user satisfaction scores. The effectiveness of the 'HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT' would be assessed against these predefined metrics. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data makes it challenging to quantitatively evaluate the contractor's performance and the overall success of the contract in achieving its objectives.

What is the track record of Light Professional IT Services LLC in delivering IT training and sustainment services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of Light Professional IT Services LLC in delivering IT training and sustainment services to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), and any publicly available information on their project history. A contractor's experience with similar services, their performance ratings on prior contracts, and their financial stability are crucial factors in evaluating their capability to successfully execute this current award.

What is the potential risk associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for these services?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally shifts most of the risk to the contractor, as they are obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. For IT training and sustainment, the primary risk associated with FFP could be the contractor underestimating the complexity or effort required, potentially leading to reduced quality if they try to cut corners to maintain profitability. Conversely, it offers the government excellent cost certainty. If the scope of work is well-defined and stable, FFP is often preferred. However, if unforeseen technical challenges arise or the scope needs significant adjustments, managing changes under FFP can become complex.

How does this contract align with the VA's broader IT modernization strategy?

This contract for 'HIGH FREQUENCY TRAINING AND SUSTAINMENT' directly supports the VA's broader IT modernization strategy by ensuring that its personnel are adequately trained on new systems and that existing systems are properly maintained. Modernization efforts often involve the implementation of new technologies and software, which necessitates comprehensive training programs for end-users and IT support staff. Furthermore, sustainment services are crucial for ensuring the reliability and security of the IT infrastructure during and after modernization phases. By investing in training and sustainment, the VA aims to maximize the benefits of its technological upgrades and ensure seamless operations.

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: 1

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: $1,244,154

Exercised Options: $725,707

Current Obligation: $725,707

Actual Outlays: $308,637

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