VA awards $4M for barcode printers and scanners, with 9 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,007,834 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Epoch Concepts LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BARCODE PRINTERS AND BARCODE SCANNERS

Place of Performance

Location: LITTLETON, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80120

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.0 million to EPOCH CONCEPTS LLC for work described as: BARCODE PRINTERS AND BARCODE SCANNERS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of IT hardware and services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these supplies. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in if specific proprietary systems are required. 4. Performance period extends over two years, allowing for sustained operations. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT hardware and services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4 million for barcode printers and scanners over two years seems aligned with typical IT hardware procurements of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for enterprise-level barcode solutions would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were solicited and allowed to bid. With nine bidders participating, the competition level is robust, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bidders suggests that taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing and a wider range of solutions being considered.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs facilities nationwide will benefit from improved inventory and patient tracking capabilities. The contract delivers essential barcode printing and scanning hardware and potentially related services. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting VA operations across all its locations. Workforce implications include enabling efficient operations for VA staff managing supplies and patient information.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for obsolescence of technology within the contract period.
Dependence on a single vendor for consumables or support could arise.
Integration challenges with existing VA IT infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Robust competition indicates market availability and potential for quality solutions.
Longer performance period allows for stable deployment and support.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on hardware and related services for data capture and management. The market for barcode technology is mature, with numerous vendors offering a wide array of solutions. Spending in this area is critical for efficient logistics, inventory control, and patient identification across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of a small business set-aside. Epoch Concepts LLC's status as a small business is not provided in the data. Future analysis could explore subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this larger award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for oversight of this contract. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure and the defined delivery order schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance metrics and IG oversight details would require further investigation.

Related Government Programs

IT Hardware Procurement
Supply Chain Management Systems
Healthcare IT Solutions
Asset Tracking Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence
Integration complexity with existing systems
Vendor lock-in risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.0 million to EPOCH CONCEPTS LLC. BARCODE PRINTERS AND BARCODE SCANNERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EPOCH CONCEPTS 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 $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Epoch Concepts LLC in fulfilling similar federal contracts?

A review of Epoch Concepts LLC's federal contract history would be necessary to assess their performance on similar IT hardware procurements. Analyzing past awards, contract values, and any reported performance issues or commendations would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Specifically, looking for experience with barcode systems and large-scale deployments within agencies like the VA would be crucial. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their track record for this particular contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar barcode systems?

To compare the awarded price to market rates, one would need to benchmark the specific types and quantities of barcode printers and scanners against current commercial pricing and other government contracts. Factors such as bulk discounts, specific features (e.g., ruggedness, connectivity options), and service level agreements influence pricing. Given the $4 million total value over two years, a detailed breakdown of the items procured would be needed to perform a precise per-unit cost analysis against industry benchmarks or GSA schedule pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the VA?

Key risks for the VA include potential technology obsolescence, as barcode technology evolves rapidly. Integration challenges with existing VA IT infrastructure could lead to implementation delays or increased costs. Vendor lock-in is another risk, particularly if the chosen systems require proprietary consumables or specialized support that limits future flexibility. Ensuring robust service level agreements and clear exit strategies can mitigate some of these risks.

How effective is the current competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The presence of nine bidders under full and open competition is a strong indicator that the competition level is effective in ensuring value for taxpayers. A larger pool of bidders typically drives down prices through competitive bidding and encourages vendors to offer more innovative or cost-effective solutions. This scenario suggests that the VA is likely to achieve favorable pricing and terms compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

What is the historical spending pattern for barcode printers and scanners by the VA?

Analyzing the VA's historical spending on barcode printers and scanners would provide context for the current $4 million award. This would involve examining previous contract awards for similar goods and services over the past several fiscal years. Understanding trends in spending volume, average contract values, and the types of competition used previously can help determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in this technology.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 36C10B24Q0718

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1510 W CANAL CT STE 1000, LITTLETON, CO, 80120

Business Categories: Category Business, 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: $8,404,730

Exercised Options: $4,007,834

Current Obligation: $4,007,834

Actual Outlays: $761,139

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD30B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline