VA awards $21.3M for ECMS operational support, with CACI-ISS, LLC as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,313,962 ($21.3M)

Contractor: Caci-Iss, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2015-09-20

End Date: 2020-09-19

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER FOR ECMS OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21703

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21.3 million to CACI-ISS, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER FOR ECMS OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $21.3M over 5 years suggests a significant investment in IT operational support. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 4. The duration of 1826 days (5 years) allows for sustained support and potential for long-term performance. 5. The primary NAICS code (541512) points to a focus on computer systems design services. 6. The contract is geographically concentrated in Maryland (MD).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21.3 million over five years for IT operational support appears reasonable given the scope of services typically associated with ECMS (Enterprise Content Management System) operational support. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for large federal agencies suggests that this pricing falls within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 2 bids indicates a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bids suggest that the market for these specialized services is not overly constrained.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits from enhanced operational support for its Enterprise Content Management System. This contract ensures the continued functionality and reliability of critical IT systems supporting VA operations. The services delivered are essential for managing and accessing veteran-related information and documents. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located and services are likely performed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the incumbent contractor's systems become deeply integrated.
Reliance on a single task order for a significant portion of ECMS operational support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The 5-year duration allows for stability and continuity of essential IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and operational support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies like the VA being major spenders on maintaining and upgrading complex systems. This contract represents a typical investment in ensuring the smooth operation of critical infrastructure, comparable to spending on other large-scale IT support contracts across government.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside. The prime contractor, CACI-ISS, LLC, is a large business, and their subcontracting plans, if any, would need to be reviewed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing clear cost expectations. Accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's performance work statement (PWS). Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any performance or financial irregularities were identified.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Content Management Systems
IT Operational Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical VA operations.
Risk of contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
Ensuring continued relevance and modernization of ECMS technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21.3 million to CACI-ISS, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF NEW TASK ORDER FOR ECMS OPERATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI-ISS, 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 $21.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-20. End: 2020-09-19.

What is the track record of CACI-ISS, LLC in performing similar IT operational support contracts for the federal government?

CACI-ISS, LLC has a substantial track record in providing IT services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their experience often encompasses a wide range of IT support, including system operations, maintenance, cybersecurity, and integration services. Reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving enterprise content management or large-scale IT infrastructure support, would provide insight into their capabilities, reliability, and ability to meet performance requirements. Data on past performance, including any awards or penalties, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the awarded price compare to similar IT operational support contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies?

To benchmark the value, one would compare the contract's total value ($21.3 million over 5 years) and its estimated annual value (approximately $4.26 million) against similar IT operational support contracts. This involves identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service levels, particularly those awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs or other agencies with similar IT infrastructure needs. Factors such as the specific technologies supported (e.g., ECM systems), the level of service required (e.g., 24/7 support), and the geographic location of service delivery would need to be considered. A detailed analysis would look at the per-year cost and potentially the cost per service hour or per supported user, if such data is available for comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks could include performance deficiencies by the contractor, potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for all eventualities, or technological obsolescence of the supported systems. Mitigation strategies typically involve a robust performance work statement (PWS) with clear deliverables and service level agreements (SLAs), regular performance reviews, and strong government oversight. The firm fixed-price structure itself is a risk mitigation tool for the government against cost escalation. Contractor performance history and financial stability are also assessed during the bidding process to preemptively address potential issues.

How effective has the VA been in managing its Enterprise Content Management Systems, and does this contract indicate a shift in strategy or focus?

The effectiveness of the VA's ECM systems is a complex question that depends on various factors, including user adoption, system performance, and the ability to meet evolving data management needs. This contract for operational support suggests a continued commitment to maintaining and optimizing existing ECM infrastructure. It may indicate a focus on ensuring stability and reliability rather than a major overhaul or replacement, unless the "operational support" implicitly includes modernization efforts. Analyzing past VA IG reports or GAO reviews related to ECM systems could provide context on their effectiveness and any identified challenges that this contract aims to address.

What has been the historical spending trend for ECMS operational support at the VA, and how does this award fit within that trend?

To understand the historical spending trend, one would need to examine the VA's budget allocations and contract awards specifically for Enterprise Content Management Systems (ECMS) operational support over several fiscal years. This would involve searching contract databases for similar services awarded by the VA. Comparing the $21.3 million award over five years to previous spending levels would reveal whether this represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment in this area. Such analysis could highlight shifts in priorities, the impact of system upgrades, or changes in contracting strategies over time.

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: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DRIVE, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,313,962

Exercised Options: $21,313,962

Current Obligation: $21,313,962

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA11811D1007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline