Over $22.8 million awarded to Vision Technologies, LLC for IT support services by the Department of Energy
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,803,589 ($22.8M)
Contractor: Vision Technologies, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2009-08-14
End Date: 2015-02-13
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80228
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $22.8 million to VISION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: IT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract was awarded using a competitive delivery order, indicating a degree of market vetting. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that cost risks were largely borne by the contractor. 3. The duration of the contract, spanning from 2009 to 2015, indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Vision Technologies, LLC, for the entirety of its term. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor did it involve small business subcontracting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific service details and comparable contract data. However, the total award of over $22.8 million over approximately six years suggests a significant investment in IT support. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps costs. Further analysis would require comparing the per-unit costs of services rendered against industry benchmarks or similar government contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle that allowed for multiple bidders. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not detailed, but the 'competitive' designation suggests that more than one offer was solicited and considered. This level of competition is generally expected to promote price discovery and potentially lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where contractors vie for the business, potentially driving down costs.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from consistent and reliable IT support services, crucial for its operations. The contract supports the functioning of various IT systems and infrastructure within the Department of Energy. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Energy's operational areas, likely concentrated in Colorado where the vendor is located. The contract supports a workforce skilled in computer systems design and IT support.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the IT support provided.
- The long duration of the contract could potentially lead to vendor complacency or a lack of incentive to innovate.
- Limited transparency on the specific services rendered under the broad 'IT Support Services' category.
Positive Signals
- The use of a firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- The competitive award process suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, promoting market fairness.
- The contract was awarded to a single entity, Vision Technologies, LLC, potentially allowing for streamlined service delivery and relationship management.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT Support Services sector, a critical component of government operations. The market for IT support services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a wide range of capabilities. The Department of Energy's spending on such services is typical for a large federal agency managing complex technological infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific scope of services, such as network management, help desk support, or system integration.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does the data indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract were likely limited to the prime contractor's discretion, if any. The absence of small business participation could mean a missed opportunity to foster growth within the small business IT sector.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, where the contractor is responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- IT Services
- Computer Systems Design
- Federal IT Procurement
- Department of Energy Contracts
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may not align with rapidly evolving IT needs.
- Lack of detailed service breakdown limits performance assessment.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
it-support-services, computer-systems-design, department-of-energy, competitive-delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, vision-technologies-llc, colorado, naics-541512, long-term-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $22.8 million to VISION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. IT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VISION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-14. End: 2015-02-13.
What specific IT support services were provided under this contract?
The provided data categorizes this contract under NAICS code 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) and broadly as 'IT SUPPORT SERVICES'. However, it does not detail the specific services rendered. These could range from help desk support, network administration, cybersecurity, software development, hardware maintenance, to IT infrastructure management. Without a more granular breakdown of the Statement of Work (SOW), it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature and scope of the IT support provided by Vision Technologies, LLC.
How does the total award amount of $22.8 million compare to similar IT support contracts within the Department of Energy?
Comparing the $22.8 million award to similar IT support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of Department of Energy (DOE) procurements for the period of 2009-2015. However, for a six-year contract duration, this amount is substantial, suggesting a significant scope of services or a high level of support required. Larger federal agencies like the DOE often award multi-million dollar contracts for IT services due to the complexity and criticality of their IT infrastructure. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes and service descriptions within the DOE during the same timeframe.
What was the competitive landscape for this specific delivery order, and how many bids were received?
The contract is designated as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER'. This indicates that the delivery order was competed, meaning multiple vendors were solicited and likely submitted proposals. However, the provided data does not specify the exact number of bids received for this particular order. Generally, competitive solicitations aim to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The absence of the specific bid count prevents a definitive assessment of the intensity of the competition for this contract.
What is the track record of Vision Technologies, LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Energy?
Vision Technologies, LLC was awarded this $22.8 million contract by the Department of Energy. The data indicates this was a competitive delivery order under a firm fixed-price contract type, running from August 2009 to February 2015. To assess their broader track record, one would need to examine other federal contracts awarded to Vision Technologies, LLC, looking at contract values, agencies served, performance history, and any past performance issues or awards. Their successful completion of this significant contract suggests a capability to deliver IT support services.
What are the potential risks associated with a long-term IT support contract like this one?
Long-term IT support contracts, such as this one spanning over six years, can present several risks. One primary risk is technological obsolescence; IT landscapes change rapidly, and a contract locked in for years might not adapt to new technologies or evolving requirements. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, potentially reducing leverage in future negotiations. There's also the risk of decreased innovation if the contractor faces little pressure to improve services over time. Finally, performance degradation can occur if oversight is not rigorous throughout the contract's life.
How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact value for money and risk for the government?
A Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract type is generally considered advantageous for the government in terms of value for money and risk management, especially for services with well-defined scopes. Under an FFP contract, the contractor assumes the majority of the cost risk, meaning they are obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. This incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently and can lead to more predictable budgeting for the government. For the government, it provides cost certainty and reduces the risk of cost overruns, thereby enhancing value for money as long as the initial price was competitive and the scope was well-defined.
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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: DE-RP65-09WA40508
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Vision Technologies Inc. (UEI: 962113945)
Address: 530 MCCORMICK DR STE G, GLEN BURNIE, MD, 21061
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $26,854,616
Exercised Options: $26,854,616
Current Obligation: $22,803,589
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS06F0535Z
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-14
Current End Date: 2015-02-13
Potential End Date: 2015-02-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-01-21
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