VA Awards $19M EHRM Infrastructure Upgrade to Briston Construction for 3 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,086,790 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Briston Construction, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2022-03-30

End Date: 2025-05-10

Contract Duration: 1,137 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/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: 589A7-21-700 - ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHRM) INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

Place of Performance

Location: WICHITA, SEDGWICK County, KANSAS, 67218

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $19.1 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC for work described as: 589A7-21-700 - ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHRM) INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES Key points: 1. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is investing $19.1 million in critical Electronic Health Records (EHRM) infrastructure upgrades. 2. The contract was awarded to Briston Construction, LLC, a small business, indicating potential for focused expertise. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor and provides cost certainty. 4. The procurement method, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggests a unique situation requiring specific capabilities. 5. The duration of 1137 days (over 3 years) points to a substantial and long-term project.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $19.1 million award for EHRM infrastructure upgrades appears reasonable given the project's scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT infrastructure projects would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while competition was sought, specific criteria or circumstances limited the pool of eligible bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a limited competition may result in a higher price than a fully open competition, but the VA likely determined it was necessary for specialized EHRM infrastructure needs.

Public Impact

Improved electronic health records system for veterans, enhancing care quality and efficiency. Potential for modernization of critical healthcare IT infrastructure within the VA. Impact on the construction sector, specifically firms with experience in government and healthcare IT projects. Ensures continuity of essential healthcare services through infrastructure stability.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have reduced price competitiveness.
Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen infrastructure challenges arise.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical system upgrade.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Award to a small business supports economic diversity.
Long-term contract duration allows for thorough implementation and testing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, with a specific focus on IT infrastructure upgrades for healthcare. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT infrastructure projects are typically high due to complexity and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

Briston Construction, LLC, is identified as a small business. This award demonstrates the VA's commitment to supporting small businesses in acquiring significant government contracts, potentially fostering growth and specialized capabilities within the sector.

Oversight & Accountability

The VA's oversight will be crucial to ensure Briston Construction adheres to the contract's scope, timeline, and quality standards, particularly given the critical nature of EHRM systems. Regular performance reviews and milestone tracking are essential.

Related Government Programs

Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Risk of vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of EHRM infrastructure.
Potential for scope creep if upgrade requirements are not clearly defined.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities during infrastructure transition.
Dependence on a single small business for a critical national system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $19.1 million to BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, LLC. 589A7-21-700 - ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHRM) INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRISTON CONSTRUCTION, 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 $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-30. End: 2025-05-10.

What specific infrastructure upgrades are included in this EHRM project, and how do they align with the VA's long-term IT strategy?

The contract details do not specify the exact nature of the infrastructure upgrades. However, EHRM infrastructure typically involves network enhancements, server capacity expansion, data storage solutions, and cybersecurity improvements. These upgrades are likely intended to support increased data volume, improve system performance, enhance data security, and enable future functionalities within the VA's broader digital health initiatives.

Given the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, what were the specific criteria that excluded other potential bidders, and how was the necessity for this approach justified?

The justification for excluding sources typically involves demonstrating that only a limited number of contractors possess the unique capabilities, specialized knowledge, or specific certifications required for the project. For EHRM infrastructure, this could relate to proprietary system integration, stringent security clearances, or proven experience with the VA's existing complex IT environment. The VA would need to document why a broader competition was not feasible or advantageous.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the successful and timely completion of these infrastructure upgrades, and what are the potential consequences of delays or failures?

The Firm Fixed Price contract structure inherently incentivizes timely completion by the contractor. The VA will likely employ project management oversight, regular progress reporting, and defined milestones. Consequences for delays or failures could include liquidated damages, contract termination, or performance penalties, depending on the contract's specific clauses. Ensuring system uptime and data integrity throughout the upgrade process is paramount.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C25522R0022

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Briston Construction LLC

Address: 309 E 10TH DR, MESA, AZ, 85210

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: $19,094,106

Exercised Options: $19,094,106

Current Obligation: $19,086,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline