VA's $29.6M contract for identity services awarded to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,568,034 ($29.6M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2016-04-15

End Date: 2019-06-20

Contract Duration: 1,161 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ::IGF::OT::IGF:: THE SUBJECT TASK ORDER IS FOR CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, APPLICATION INTEGRATION/ENABLEMENT SERVICES, ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES FOR IDENTITY SERVICES WHICH CONSISTS OF MASTER VETERAN INDEX (MVI) (CONSISTING OF PERSON SERVICES IDENTITY MANAGEMENT AND MASTER PATIENT INDEX, IDENTITY MANAGEMENT TOOL KIT, IBM INITIATE SOFTWARE, IDENTITY PROOFING, VETERANS HEALTH IDENTIFICATION CARD, AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: ::IGF::OT::IGF:: THE SUBJECT TASK ORDER IS FOR CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, APPLICATION INTEGRATION/ENABLEMENT SERVICES, ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES FOR IDENTITY SERVICES WHICH CONSISTS OF MASTER VETERAN INDEX (MVI) (CONSISTIN… Key points: 1. Contract provides critical support for identity services, including Master Veteran Index and related components. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The duration of the task order is over three years, indicating a long-term need. 5. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the complexity and importance of identity management for veterans. 6. The awardee, BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, is responsible for a range of IT services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $29.6 million over 1161 days (over 3 years) for IT project management and identity services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts for federal agencies suggests that pricing for such comprehensive services typically falls within this range. The firm-fixed-price contract type is generally favorable for the government as it caps costs and incentivizes contractor efficiency. Without specific per-unit cost data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall price point seems aligned with market expectations for complex IT integration and sustainment services.

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 a bid. The data shows 3 bidders participated in this competition. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy market for these types of IT services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider range of innovative solutions being considered. This process ensures that the government is not locked into a single provider, fostering a more cost-effective acquisition environment.

Public Impact

Veterans will benefit from improved identity management services, leading to more accurate and secure access to benefits and healthcare. The contract supports critical IT infrastructure for the Department of Veterans Affairs, enhancing operational efficiency. Services include project management, application integration, enterprise development, and sustainment, covering a broad IT spectrum. The contract's focus on identity services is crucial for maintaining accurate veteran records and preventing fraud. Geographic impact is nationwide, as VA serves veterans across the United States.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical identity management functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring data security and privacy for sensitive veteran information is paramount and requires continuous vigilance.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive market and potentially fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor, encouraging efficiency.
Long-term nature of the task order suggests a stable, ongoing need for these essential services.
Contractor is responsible for a comprehensive suite of IT services, indicating a capable provider.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive and diverse. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a segment focused on designing and integrating computer systems. The market for such services is substantial, with agencies like the VA requiring robust IT solutions for managing vast amounts of sensitive data and complex operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for large federal IT support contracts often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the duration and scope.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC, which is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) IT Modernization
Department of Defense Identity Management Programs
Federal Cloud Computing Strategy
IT Services for Federal Agencies
Master Patient Index Systems

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Risk
Contractor Performance Risk
Data Integrity and Privacy
System Integration Complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29.6 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. ::IGF::OT::IGF:: THE SUBJECT TASK ORDER IS FOR CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, APPLICATION INTEGRATION/ENABLEMENT SERVICES, ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, AND SUSTAINMENT SERVICES FOR IDENTITY SERVICES WHICH CONSISTS OF MASTER VETERAN INDEX (MVI) (CONSISTING OF PERSON SERVICES IDENTITY MANAGEMENT AND MASTER PATIENT INDEX, IDENTITY MANAGEMENT TOOL KIT, IBM INITIATE SOFTWARE, IDENTITY PROOFING, VETERANS HEALTH IDENTIFICATION CARD, AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES 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 $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-15. End: 2019-06-20.

What is the track record of BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC in delivering similar identity management and IT support services to the federal government?

BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC has a history of performing IT services for federal agencies. While the provided data focuses on this specific task order, a deeper dive into their contract history would reveal their performance on other projects, including their experience with identity management solutions, project management, and application integration. Assessing past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and technical proficiency, is crucial for understanding their capability to successfully execute this task order. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would provide more granular insights into their track record.

How does the per-unit cost or pricing structure of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT support services?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks difficult. However, the total contract value of approximately $29.6 million over 1161 days for comprehensive IT project management, integration, development, and sustainment services can be broadly assessed. Given the complexity and critical nature of identity services for the VA, the overall price appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale federal IT support contracts. Firm-fixed-price contracts generally aim for competitive pricing during the bidding phase. To conduct a more precise benchmark, one would need to analyze the labor categories, hours, and rates proposed by the contractor against market data for similar roles and services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area or relevant geographic regions.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, cybersecurity threats to sensitive veteran data, and the possibility of cost overruns if scope is not managed effectively, although the firm-fixed-price structure mitigates direct cost overrun risk for the government. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the VA, clear performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), regular security audits, and contingency planning. The VA's program management team would be responsible for monitoring contractor performance and addressing any deviations from the contract requirements. Strong cybersecurity protocols and incident response plans are also essential to protect the integrity and confidentiality of veteran identity information.

How effective has the Master Veteran Index (MVI) system been in improving veteran services, and what is the role of this contract in its ongoing success?

The Master Veteran Index (MVI) is a critical component of the VA's efforts to create a unified and accurate view of veteran data, essential for delivering seamless services. This contract directly supports the MVI by providing contractor support for project management, application integration, development, and sustainment. Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to reduce data duplication, improve data accuracy, and facilitate better access to benefits and healthcare for veterans. The ongoing support ensures the MVI remains operational, updated, and integrated with other VA systems, thereby contributing to its overall success in serving the veteran population. Performance metrics within the contract would track uptime, data integrity, and integration capabilities.

What has been the historical spending trend for identity services and related IT support at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending on identity services and IT support at the VA has generally been significant and increasing, reflecting the growing reliance on digital infrastructure and the need to manage vast amounts of sensitive veteran data. The VA has undertaken numerous IT modernization initiatives over the years, many of which involve identity management, data integration, and system sustainment. While specific historical figures for 'identity services' alone are not provided, the overall IT budget for the VA runs into billions of dollars annually. This contract represents a portion of that larger investment, focused on a critical area. Trends indicate a continued emphasis on secure, integrated systems to improve veteran experience and operational efficiency.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3101 WILSON BLVD STE 850, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,020,288

Exercised Options: $29,568,034

Current Obligation: $29,568,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11811D1004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline