VA awards $30.2M for BigFix software and maintenance against GSA BPA and Schedule 70

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,237,783 ($30.2M)

Contractor: CACI IDT, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2011-03-03

End Date: 2016-04-22

Contract Duration: 1,877 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CALL ORDER FOR BIGFIX SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE ISSUED AGAINST US GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION (GSA) SMARTBUY BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, GSQ0009AE0011 AND GSA SCHEDULE 70 CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-4153D.

Place of Performance

Location: ASHBURN, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20147

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $30.2 million to CACI IDT, LLC for work described as: CALL ORDER FOR BIGFIX SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE ISSUED AGAINST US GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION (GSA) SMARTBUY BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, GSQ0009AE0011 AND GSA SCHEDULE 70 CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-4153D. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to CACI IDT, LLC for essential IT infrastructure management software. 2. Utilizes GSA SmartPay BPA and Schedule 70, indicating pre-negotiated pricing and streamlined procurement. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Duration of 1877 days (approx. 5 years) indicates a long-term need for the software. 5. No small business set-aside, suggesting the primary contract vehicle was not specifically targeted for small businesses. 6. The award falls under the IT sector, specifically electronic computer manufacturing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $30.2 million over approximately five years for BigFix software and maintenance appears reasonable given the nature of enterprise software licensing and support. While specific benchmarking against identical BigFix contracts is difficult without more granular data, the use of GSA Schedule 70 and a BPA suggests that pricing has undergone some level of pre-negotiation and comparison. The firm fixed price structure helps manage cost certainty for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was issued as a call order against existing GSA vehicles (SmartBuy BPA and Schedule 70), which themselves were awarded under full and open competition. This implies that the underlying contracts allowed for broad participation. However, the specific competition for this particular call order is not detailed, but the 'full and open' designation suggests multiple vendors could have bid on the task order if they held the necessary GSA contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition on the underlying GSA vehicles generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from enhanced IT infrastructure management capabilities. Services delivered include the provision of BigFix software and ongoing maintenance and support. The geographic impact is primarily within the VA's operational footprint across the United States. Workforce implications include IT personnel managing and utilizing the BigFix system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized software like BigFix.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software maintenance could pose risks if the vendor faces financial or operational issues.

Positive Signals

Leveraging GSA schedules streamlines procurement and potentially offers better pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability for the VA.
Long-term contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need, allowing for efficient resource planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically related to software and IT services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334111, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, is listed, though the service is software maintenance and licensing. The IT services market is vast, with significant government spending on software, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management. Benchmarking this specific award against the broader IT services market would require detailed analysis of comparable software maintenance contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was conducted through GSA vehicles that did not prioritize small businesses for this specific award. While CACI IDT, LLC is a large business, there may be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the performance of this contract, though this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting officers and program managers. As it was issued against GSA SmartBuy and Schedule 70, GSA also provides a layer of oversight for the contract vehicles themselves. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA SmartPay Program
GSA Schedule 70
IT Software Licensing
IT Maintenance and Support Services
Department of Veterans Affairs IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single vendor for critical software maintenance
Ensuring compatibility with evolving VA IT infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $30.2 million to CACI IDT, LLC. CALL ORDER FOR BIGFIX SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE ISSUED AGAINST US GENERAL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION (GSA) SMARTBUY BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, GSQ0009AE0011 AND GSA SCHEDULE 70 CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-4153D.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI IDT, 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 $30.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-03-03. End: 2016-04-22.

What is the track record of CACI IDT, LLC in fulfilling similar IT software and maintenance contracts for federal agencies?

CACI IDT, LLC, a subsidiary of CACI International Inc., has a substantial history of performing IT services and software-related contracts for various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their portfolio often includes system integration, software development, cybersecurity, and IT infrastructure support. While specific performance metrics for this particular BigFix contract are not detailed in the provided data, CACI's general track record suggests they possess the capabilities to manage such requirements. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and contract close-out reports for CACI on similar GSA Schedule or BPA awards would provide more granular insights into their reliability and quality of service delivery.

How does the $30.2 million value compare to other federal spending on endpoint management software like BigFix?

The $30.2 million award for BigFix software and maintenance over approximately five years represents a significant but not extraordinary investment for a large federal agency like the VA. Endpoint management solutions are critical for maintaining security, compliance, and operational efficiency across vast IT networks. Comparable federal spending on similar enterprise software suites (e.g., Microsoft SCCM, Tanium, Ivanti) can range from millions to tens of millions annually, depending on the agency's size, scope of deployment, and included services. The value here is influenced by the number of endpoints managed, the specific modules licensed, and the level of support and maintenance required. Given the VA's scale, this figure aligns with expectations for comprehensive endpoint management.

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

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes heavily reliant on BigFix and CACI, making future transitions costly. Performance risks also exist, such as delays in software updates or inadequate support response times, which could impact VA operations. Technical risks, like compatibility issues with evolving VA infrastructure, are also present. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure: the firm fixed price limits cost overruns, and the use of GSA vehicles implies adherence to established service level agreements (SLAs) for maintenance and support. The VA's contracting officer and program management team are responsible for ongoing oversight, performance monitoring, and enforcing contractual remedies if CACI fails to meet obligations.

How effective is the use of GSA SmartBuy BPA and Schedule 70 for acquiring specialized software like BigFix?

Utilizing GSA SmartBuy BPA and Schedule 70 for acquiring specialized software like BigFix offers significant advantages in terms of procurement efficiency and potentially cost savings. These vehicles are pre-competed, meaning the government has already vetted the vendors and negotiated favorable pricing, reducing the time and resources needed for individual contract actions. This approach allows agencies like the VA to quickly obtain necessary software and services. However, the effectiveness can be limited if the specific software or required support levels are not optimally represented on the schedule, or if agency-specific requirements necessitate modifications beyond the standard contract terms. Overall, it's generally an effective method for standardizing and streamlining IT procurements.

What are the historical spending patterns for endpoint management software within the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Historical spending patterns for endpoint management software within the VA likely show a consistent and significant investment over the years, reflecting the agency's large and complex IT infrastructure. Prior to this specific award, the VA would have had existing contracts for similar functionalities, potentially with different vendors or previous versions of BigFix. Spending would fluctuate based on technology refresh cycles, new security mandates, and the expansion or consolidation of VA facilities and services. Analyzing past VA IT budgets and contract databases would reveal trends in spending on software licensing, maintenance, and associated IT support services, indicating a sustained need for robust endpoint management solutions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 21445 BEAUMEADE CIR, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,237,783

Exercised Options: $30,237,783

Current Obligation: $30,237,783

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4153D

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline