VA awards $53M for Vocera Premier Support to Alvarez LLC, spanning two years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,043 ($53.0K)
Contractor: Alvarez LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2025-04-18
End Date: 2027-04-17
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $73/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: VOCERA PREMIER SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20176
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $53,042.88 to ALVAREZ LLC for work described as: VOCERA PREMIER SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract Value: $53.04M over 729 days. 2. Competition: Full and open after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk: Potential for price creep due to limited competition. 4. Sector: Information Technology services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is for premier support, which can be a premium service. Benchmarking against similar support contracts for specialized software is difficult without more detail on service levels.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a specific justification for limiting the initial pool. This method can impact price discovery if the excluded sources represent significant competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized IT support. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best price is a key consideration.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical VA communication systems. Supports veteran healthcare delivery through reliable technology. Potential for higher costs due to limited competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher prices.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical support.
Positive Signals
- Ensures continuity of essential IT services.
- Contract awarded to a known entity.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer-related services. Spending benchmarks for premier support can vary widely based on the criticality and complexity of the supported system.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had an opportunity to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The VA is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability will depend on performance metrics and regular reviews of service delivery and pricing.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Dependence on a single provider for critical infrastructure support.
- Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, va, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $53,042.88 to ALVAREZ LLC. VOCERA PREMIER SUPPORT
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 $53,042.88.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-18. End: 2027-04-17.
What was the specific justification for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?
The justification for excluding sources typically relates to the unique capabilities of the awarded vendor, proprietary technology, or specific integration requirements that only one or a limited number of contractors can meet. Without the specific documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise reason, but it implies a need for specialized expertise or compatibility with existing VA systems.
How does the pricing of this Vocera Premier Support contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?
Benchmarking this contract requires detailed comparison with similar premier support agreements for Vocera systems or comparable critical communication platforms. Factors like service level agreements (SLAs), response times, included features, and vendor support infrastructure are crucial. Without this granular data, a definitive price comparison is challenging, but the 'fair' rating suggests it's within an expected range, albeit potentially at a premium for specialized support.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for premier support of critical communication systems?
The primary risks include vendor lock-in, potential price increases upon contract renewal, and reduced flexibility in adopting new technologies or service providers. If the vendor experiences financial difficulties or service disruptions, it could directly impact the VA's operations. Mitigating these risks often involves strong contract management, performance monitoring, and contingency planning.
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: 1
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: $119,269
Exercised Options: $53,043
Current Obligation: $53,043
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD19B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-18
Current End Date: 2027-04-17
Potential End Date: 2030-04-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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