VA Spends $28.6M on IT Helpdesk and Mobile Solutions from Middle Bay Solutions LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,598,366 ($28.6M)
Contractor: Middle BAY Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2014-09-23
End Date: 2019-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,591 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF WEB AND VA MOBILE SOLUTIONS PROVIDES HELPDESK SUPPORT, MEDICAL MOBILE DEVICES AND DATA PLANS TO PHYSICIANS WORKING AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS.
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $28.6 million to MIDDLE BAY SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF WEB AND VA MOBILE SOLUTIONS PROVIDES HELPDESK SUPPORT, MEDICAL MOBILE DEVICES AND DATA PLANS TO PHYSICIANS WORKING AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT helpdesk, medical mobile devices, and data plans. 2. Middle Bay Solutions LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract duration was 1591 days. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. The total value is $28.6 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's time and materials pricing structure may lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting an attempt to ensure fair pricing. However, the specific details of the exclusion and the subsequent competition are not fully clear from the provided data.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers funded $28.6 million for IT support and mobile solutions, with the effectiveness of this spending dependent on the quality and efficiency of the services provided.
Public Impact
Veterans Affairs medical centers receive essential IT support and mobile devices for physicians. Physicians can access critical medical information and communication tools through these services. The contract ensures continuity of IT operations within VA facilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials pricing.
- Limited insight into the specific services provided for the cost.
- Contract duration is lengthy, potentially missing opportunities for competitive re-evaluation.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical medical operations for physicians.
- Ensures availability of essential IT infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Computer Related Services, a broad category within the IT sector. Spending benchmarks for IT helpdesk and mobile device management can vary significantly based on the scope and complexity of services required by federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that Middle Bay Solutions LLC was awarded this contract. There is no specific information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting opportunities within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Oversight would typically involve monitoring service delivery, performance metrics, and adherence to contract terms to ensure value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for services and hardware.
- Ambiguity in 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'.
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- No clear indication of performance metrics or user satisfaction.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-veterans-affairs, al, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $28.6 million to MIDDLE BAY SOLUTIONS LLC. IGF::OT::IGF WEB AND VA MOBILE SOLUTIONS PROVIDES HELPDESK SUPPORT, MEDICAL MOBILE DEVICES AND DATA PLANS TO PHYSICIANS WORKING AT VA MEDICAL CENTERS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MIDDLE BAY SOLUTIONS 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 $28.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-23. End: 2019-01-31.
What was the specific justification for excluding other sources during the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' phase, and how did this impact the final price?
The provided data does not detail the specific justification for excluding other sources. This exclusion could potentially limit price discovery and competition, even within an 'open' framework. Understanding the rationale is crucial to assess if the final price truly reflects market value or if the exclusion led to a less competitive outcome.
How does the per-unit cost of mobile devices and data plans compare to commercial market rates, considering the volume purchased?
Without specific unit cost breakdowns for devices and data plans, a direct comparison to commercial market rates is not possible. The total contract value of $28.6 million for IT support and mobile solutions over 1591 days averages approximately $17,975 per day. A detailed analysis of the service components is needed to benchmark unit costs effectively.
What performance metrics were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the helpdesk support and mobile solutions provided by Middle Bay Solutions LLC?
The provided data does not include information on the performance metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of the services. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response times, resolution rates, user satisfaction, and device uptime would be essential to assess the contract's success and the value delivered to the VA.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: VA118-14-R-0385
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1525 PERIMETER PKWY STE 115, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $113,561,701
Exercised Options: $28,598,366
Current Obligation: $28,598,366
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-23
Current End Date: 2019-01-31
Potential End Date: 2019-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-28
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