State Department's $49M IV&V Contract with Vistronix Awarded via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,040,415 ($49.0M)
Contractor: Vistronix, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2009-11-15
End Date: 2015-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,962 days
Daily Burn Rate: $25.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: INDEPENDENT VERFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF CONSULAR SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY (CA/CST)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20510
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $49.0 million to VISTRONIX, LLC for work described as: INDEPENDENT VERFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF CONSULAR SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY (CA/CST) Key points: 1. The contract value of $49.04 million for IV&V services demonstrates a significant investment in IT system integrity. 2. Vistronix, LLC secured this contract through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing introduces potential cost escalation risks if not managed closely. 4. This spending falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, crucial for government IT infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $49 million total award over approximately 6 years suggests an average annual spend of around $8.17 million. Benchmarking this against similar IV&V contracts is difficult without more granular data on service scope and duration, but the overall value appears substantial for specialized IT services.
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 a competitive process was intended, though specific exclusions might warrant further review. This method generally aims for price discovery through multiple bids.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, though the Time and Materials pricing structure could lead to higher-than-expected costs if not rigorously monitored.
Public Impact
Ensures the integrity and reliability of critical IT systems for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. Supports the operational efficiency of passport and visa processing systems. Provides independent oversight, enhancing accountability in technology development and deployment.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns.
- Contract duration is long (1962 days).
- Small business participation is not indicated.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Provides essential IV&V services for critical consular functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a vital sector for government operations. The $49 million expenditure over nearly six years represents a significant investment in ensuring the quality and security of the Bureau of Consular Affairs' IT infrastructure.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific set-asides or participation goals for small businesses in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's nature as IV&V services implies an oversight function. However, details on specific oversight mechanisms, performance reviews, and accountability measures for Vistronix are not provided in this data snippet.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of clarity on small business participation.
- Long contract duration may indicate a lack of flexibility.
- Details on specific oversight mechanisms are missing.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $49.0 million to VISTRONIX, LLC. INDEPENDENT VERFICATION AND VALIDATION (IV&V) SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF CONSULAR SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY (CA/CST)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VISTRONIX, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $49.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-11-15. End: 2015-03-31.
What was the specific scope of work for the IV&V services, and how did it align with the $49 million cost?
The provided data lacks specifics on the IV&V scope. Typically, IV&V services involve independent testing, validation, and verification of software and systems to ensure they meet requirements and function correctly. The $49 million cost likely covered extensive personnel hours, specialized tools, and reporting over the contract's duration, aimed at mitigating risks in the Bureau of Consular Affairs' IT systems.
What were the key risks identified during the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' process, and how were they mitigated?
The data doesn't detail specific risks identified during the procurement. 'Exclusion of sources' suggests certain vendors or approaches were deemed unsuitable or unnecessary for specific reasons, potentially related to security, capability, or prior performance. Mitigation would involve ensuring the remaining competitive pool adequately addressed the agency's needs and that the chosen vendor's proposal offered the best value and risk profile.
How effectively did the Time and Materials pricing model control costs and ensure value for the taxpayer over the contract's lifespan?
The effectiveness of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing is highly dependent on robust government oversight. While T&M allows flexibility for evolving requirements, it carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not strictly managed through labor rate ceilings, detailed tracking, and regular performance reviews. Without post-award data, it's impossible to definitively assess cost control and value realization for this specific contract.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: SAQMMA09Q0030
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (UEI: 076637073)
Address: 11091 SUNSET HILLS RD STE 700, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,060,610
Exercised Options: $49,060,610
Current Obligation: $49,040,415
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS06F0629Z
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-11-15
Current End Date: 2015-03-31
Potential End Date: 2015-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-04-27
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