VA Spends $31.9M on Web-Enabled Time and Attendance System by Leidos SMS Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,895,226 ($31.9M)

Contractor: Leidos SMS Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-07-30

End Date: 2015-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ACQUISITION OF COTS REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, CUSTOMIZATION, TEST, DEPLOYMENT, TRAINING, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR A WEB-ENABLED DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEM (VATAS).

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, ONONDAGA County, NEW YORK, 13212, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $31.9 million to LEIDOS SMS INC for work described as: ACQUISITION OF COTS REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, CUSTOMIZATION, TEST, DEPLOYMENT, TRAINING, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR A WEB-ENABLED DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEM (VATAS). Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Leidos SMS Inc. for a web-enabled time and attendance system. 2. The system aims to manage time and attendance for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 3. This acquisition falls under custom computer programming services. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The total value of the contract is approximately $31.9 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $31.9 million for a custom computer programming service over five years appears within a reasonable range for a system of this scope. Benchmarking against similar government IT projects would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in critical IT infrastructure.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs employees will utilize the new system for time and attendance tracking. The system is intended to improve the efficiency and accuracy of payroll processing. This investment supports the modernization of VA's internal operational systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for cost overruns in customization and deployment phases.
Dependence on a single vendor for operations and maintenance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type can limit cost uncertainty.
Long-term contract duration suggests a strategic need.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar projects vary widely based on complexity, duration, and specific functionalities required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the prime contractor is Leidos SMS Inc., a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting goals within this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits to ensure the contractor meets contractual obligations and that funds are used appropriately. The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for this oversight.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years).
No mention of small business participation.
Potential for scope creep in customization.
Reliance on a single vendor for O&M.
Specific performance metrics are not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $31.9 million to LEIDOS SMS INC. ACQUISITION OF COTS REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, CUSTOMIZATION, TEST, DEPLOYMENT, TRAINING, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR A WEB-ENABLED DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TIME AND ATTENDANCE SYSTEM (VATAS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS SMS 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 $31.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-07-30. End: 2015-07-31.

What is the expected return on investment for the VATAS system in terms of improved efficiency and cost savings for the VA?

The provided data does not quantify the expected return on investment. However, a modern web-enabled time and attendance system is generally expected to reduce manual processing errors, streamline payroll, and improve labor cost tracking. Quantifying these benefits would require detailed operational data from the VA before and after system implementation.

What are the key risks associated with the customization and deployment of this COTS system for the VA?

Key risks include scope creep during customization, integration challenges with existing VA systems, potential delays impacting deployment timelines, and user adoption issues. Ensuring thorough testing and robust change management processes are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the system meets the VA's specific needs effectively.

How effectively does this contract leverage commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions versus custom development to balance cost and functionality?

The contract specifies 'ACQUISITION OF COTS REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS, CUSTOMIZATION, TEST, DEPLOYMENT...', indicating a strategy to leverage COTS software as a base, with customization to meet specific VA needs. This approach aims to balance the cost-effectiveness of COTS with the necessity for tailored functionality, though the extent of customization is a critical factor in managing cost and complexity.

Industry Classification

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

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 1 NORTHERN CONCOURSE, SYRACUSE, NY, 13212

Business Categories: Category Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,895,226

Exercised Options: $31,895,226

Current Obligation: $31,895,226

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0142N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline