VA awards $17.7M for Trusted Internet Connections Gateway Storage Infrastructure to Merlin International, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,706,553 ($17.7M)

Contractor: Merlin International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-07-09

End Date: 2015-07-08

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE-WIDE PROCUREMENT (SEWP) IV DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRUSTED INTERNET CONNECTIONS GATEWAY STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE (TIC GSI)

Place of Performance

Location: ENGLEWOOD, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17.7 million to MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE-WIDE PROCUREMENT (SEWP) IV DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRUSTED INTERNET CONNECTIONS GATEWAY STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE (TIC GSI) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on IT infrastructure, specifically storage for secure internet connections. 2. Merlin International, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 4. The sector is Information Technology, a critical area for government operations and data security.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $17.7 million for a 5-year period appears reasonable for enterprise-wide storage infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT infrastructure contracts would provide further validation.

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 that while multiple sources were considered, some were excluded. This method aims for competitive pricing but the exclusion criteria warrant review.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary IT services.

Public Impact

Ensures secure and reliable internet access for VA systems and personnel. Supports the VA's mission-critical operations by providing robust data storage. Enhances cybersecurity posture by implementing trusted internet connection gateways. Potential for improved data management and accessibility for healthcare services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusion of sources in competition
Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Addresses critical cybersecurity needs
Supports a vital government agency (VA)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on network security and data storage. Spending in this area is substantial across government agencies to maintain secure and efficient operations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this award went to Merlin International, Inc. and does not specify any small business subcontracting goals or participation. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business impact.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, utilizing the NASA SEWP IV contract vehicle. Oversight would involve VA contracting officers and potentially NASA SEWP program managers.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of detailed cost-per-unit data for benchmarking.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
Need for clear performance and security monitoring metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17.7 million to MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, INC.. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISE-WIDE PROCUREMENT (SEWP) IV DELIVERY ORDER FOR TRUSTED INTERNET CONNECTIONS GATEWAY STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE (TIC GSI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERLIN INTERNATIONAL, INC..

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 $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-09. End: 2015-07-08.

What were the specific criteria for excluding sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process, and did this exclusion limit potential cost savings?

The exclusion criteria for sources in this competitive process are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding these criteria is crucial to assess if they were justified and if they potentially limited the range of bidders, which could impact price discovery and overall value for taxpayer money.

What is the projected cost per unit for the storage infrastructure, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar solutions?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns for the storage infrastructure. A detailed analysis would require access to the contract's pricing details to compare against industry benchmarks for enterprise-level storage solutions, assessing cost-effectiveness.

How will the performance and security of the Trusted Internet Connections Gateway Storage Infrastructure be monitored and validated throughout the contract period?

Monitoring and validation processes are not detailed here. Effective oversight would involve regular performance reviews, security audits, and adherence to VA and federal cybersecurity standards to ensure the infrastructure meets its intended objectives and maintains a strong security posture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4 B INVERNESS COURT ESTE 100, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 06

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,706,553

Exercised Options: $17,706,553

Current Obligation: $17,706,553

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $13,997,777

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG07DA23B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline