VA awards $991K for APHO Admin Services to Terrestris, LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $99,132 ($99.1K)

Contractor: Terrestris, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-03-01

End Date: 2025-02-28

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $272/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: APHO ADMIN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: OCCOQUAN, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22125

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $99,132.3 to TERRESTRIS, LLC for work described as: APHO ADMIN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative support services, indicating a need for operational efficiency within the VA. 2. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 3. A single award for this delivery order implies a focused scope of work. 4. The contract duration of approximately one year allows for agile adaptation to evolving administrative needs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services, which may be a component of the administrative support. 6. The awardee, Terrestris, LLC, is a new entity in the federal contracting space for this specific service category. 7. The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, highlighting its focus on supporting veteran services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $991,323 for a one-year period for administrative services appears within a reasonable range for specialized support. Benchmarking against similar administrative service contracts within the VA or other large federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of 'APHO Admin Services,' a precise comparison is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The details do not specify the number of bidders, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at a fair market price, reducing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely internal VA departments requiring administrative support for the APHO (Assistant Principal Health Officer) function. Services delivered include administrative support, potentially encompassing tasks related to program management, data entry, scheduling, and communication. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Veterans Affairs' operational footprint, likely supporting its Virginia-based operations. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of individuals by Terrestris, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on Terrestris, LLC's past performance and capacity for this specific type of administrative support.
The NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) is somewhat unusual for a contract described as 'Admin Services,' raising questions about the precise nature of the work and potential scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency with established oversight mechanisms.

Sector Analysis

Administrative support services are a common requirement across all federal agencies. The IT component suggested by the NAICS code indicates a potential focus on technology-enabled administrative functions. The market for such services is broad, with numerous small and large businesses capable of providing support. This contract fits within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, a significant segment of federal spending.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The awardee, Terrestris, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award, though subcontracting opportunities could arise if Terrestris engages with smaller firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a firm-fixed-price contract, oversight will likely focus on performance delivery and adherence to the contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. The VA has internal audit and Inspector General functions that could review this contract if performance issues or irregularities arise.

Related Government Programs

VA Administrative Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services
IT Support Services
Federal IT Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues due to contractor's limited public track record.
Ambiguity in service description (Admin Services vs. Custom Computer Programming) could lead to scope management challenges.
Need for close monitoring of deliverables to ensure alignment with VA requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $99,132.3 to TERRESTRIS, LLC. APHO ADMIN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TERRESTRIS, 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 $99,132.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-01. End: 2025-02-28.

What is the specific nature of the 'APHO Admin Services' being provided by Terrestris, LLC?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'APHO ADMIN SERVICES' with NAICS code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services.' This suggests the administrative support may be heavily reliant on or involve custom software development, IT system maintenance, or data management solutions related to the Assistant Principal Health Officer's functions. Without further details from the contract statement of work, it's difficult to ascertain the exact blend of traditional administrative tasks versus IT-centric support. However, the NAICS code strongly implies a significant technology component, potentially involving software configuration, database management, or IT support for administrative processes.

What is Terrestris, LLC's track record with the federal government, particularly for administrative and IT services?

Based on the provided data, Terrestris, LLC is the awardee of this specific delivery order. Information regarding their broader federal contracting history, past performance on similar administrative or IT services contracts, and client satisfaction is not detailed here. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases would be necessary to assess their established track record. As this appears to be a single delivery order, it may represent an early engagement or a specialized service offering from the company. Further investigation would be needed to determine if they have a substantial history of successful contract performance with the VA or other agencies.

How does the $991,323 contract value compare to similar administrative support contracts awarded by the VA?

The contract value of $991,323 for approximately one year of administrative services is a moderate-sized award. To benchmark its value effectively, it would need to be compared against other VA contracts for similar administrative support, especially those with comparable scope and complexity, and potentially under the same NAICS code if the IT component is significant. The VA manages a vast portfolio of contracts, and without specific details on the deliverables and service levels associated with 'APHO Admin Services,' a precise comparison is challenging. However, for specialized IT-enabled administrative support, this value could be considered reasonable, assuming the scope is well-defined and the services are critical to VA operations.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given the limited information on the contractor and the specific service description?

Potential risks include performance issues if Terrestris, LLC lacks sufficient experience in the specific administrative and IT services required, despite being awarded under full and open competition. The ambiguity between 'Admin Services' and the 'Custom Computer Programming Services' NAICS code presents a risk of scope creep or misaligned expectations. Furthermore, if Terrestris, LLC is a relatively new entrant or has a limited federal contracting history, there could be risks related to their financial stability, resource availability, or understanding of federal compliance requirements. The VA will need to actively monitor performance and manage the contract closely to mitigate these potential risks.

What does the 'full and open competition' designation imply for the cost-effectiveness and quality of services received by the VA?

The 'full and open competition' designation is a positive indicator for cost-effectiveness and quality. It means that the VA solicited proposals from all eligible sources, fostering a competitive environment where multiple companies could bid. This process typically drives down prices as contractors vie for the award and encourages offerors to present their best technical solutions and pricing. Consequently, the VA is likely to receive competitive pricing and a technically sound solution that meets their requirements. The success of this competition in achieving optimal value depends on the clarity of the solicitation and the evaluation criteria used.

Are there any historical spending patterns with Terrestris, LLC or for 'APHO Admin Services' that provide context for this award?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for Terrestris, LLC or specifically for 'APHO Admin Services.' This contract appears to be a new award for these services to this particular contractor. To understand historical context, one would need to research previous contracts for similar administrative or IT support functions within the VA's APHO office or related departments, and also investigate if Terrestris, LLC has previously held contracts for similar services. Without this historical data, it is difficult to assess if this award represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels for these types of services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

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: 14000 CROWN CT SUITE 210, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22193

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, 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: $99,132

Exercised Options: $99,132

Current Obligation: $99,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA23D0047

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline