VA Awards $27.5M for Tape-less Backup Solution to ALVAREZ LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,527,794 ($27.5M)

Contractor: Alvarez LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2016-09-28

End Date: 2021-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE LEASING OF TAPELESS BACKUP PLATFORM SOLUTION TO INCLUDE MEDIA AGENT SERVERS, MANAGEMENT SERVERS, STORAGE APPLIANCES, NETWORK SWITCHES AND COMMVAULT SIMPANA DATA PROTECTION ADVANCED (DPA) LICENSING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE STANDARD HARDWARE INSTALLATION, DESIGN, SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR THE TAPELESS BACKUP ENCRYPTION SOLUTION. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES AND TRAINING FOR COMMVAULT SIMPANA BACKUP INFRASTRUCTURE. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ALSO PROVIDE COLOCATION / HOSTING SERVICES FOR THE HARDWARE ACQUIRED AS PART OF THIS TAPELESS BACKUP ENCRYPTION SOLUTION.IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: MC LEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $27.5 million to ALVAREZ LLC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE LEASING OF TAPELESS BACKUP PLATFORM SOLUTION TO INCLUDE MEDIA AGENT SERVERS, MANAGEMENT SERVERS, STORAGE APPLIANCES, NETWORK SWITCHES AND COMMVAULT SIMPANA DATA PROTECTION ADVANCED (DPA) LICENSING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE STANDARD HARDWARE INSTAL… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on providing a comprehensive tape-less backup platform, including hardware, software licensing, installation, configuration, and ongoing support. 2. Key components include Commvault Simpana DPA licensing and colocation services, indicating a need for robust data protection and infrastructure. 3. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process with specific justifications. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services', a common area for government technology procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $27.5M over five years suggests a significant investment in data backup infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data protection solutions would be necessary for a precise pricing assessment.

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'. This implies that while competition was sought, specific reasons led to the exclusion of certain potential sources, which could impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a critical IT infrastructure upgrade for the Department of Veterans Affairs, aiming to enhance data security and operational resilience.

Public Impact

Ensures data integrity and availability for critical VA systems, supporting veteran services. Modernizes IT infrastructure by replacing traditional tape backup with a more efficient digital solution. Provides a secure platform for sensitive veteran data, adhering to government data protection standards. Supports ongoing operations and disaster recovery capabilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential vendor lock-in with Commvault Simpana software.
Reliance on a single vendor for hardware, software, and colocation services.
Complexity of integrating new backup solution with existing VA IT infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical need for modern data backup and recovery.
Utilizes a competitive bidding process to secure services.
Includes comprehensive support and engineering services for the solution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Government spending in this area is substantial, focusing on modernizing infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and improving data management capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). The scale and nature of the tape-less backup platform solution likely require specialized capabilities typically found in larger IT service providers.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. The award type 'DELIVERY ORDER' suggests it is part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which may have its own oversight mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with Commvault software.
Reliance on a single vendor for multiple components (hardware, software, colocation).
Complexity of managing and integrating a new, large-scale backup infrastructure.
Need for robust ongoing maintenance and support to ensure system uptime.
Ensuring compliance with evolving data security and privacy regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $27.5 million to ALVAREZ LLC. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE LEASING OF TAPELESS BACKUP PLATFORM SOLUTION TO INCLUDE MEDIA AGENT SERVERS, MANAGEMENT SERVERS, STORAGE APPLIANCES, NETWORK SWITCHES AND COMMVAULT SIMPANA DATA PROTECTION ADVANCED (DPA) LICENSING. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE STANDARD HARDWARE INSTALLATION, DESIGN, SOFTWARE CONFIGURATION AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FOR THE TAPELESS BACKUP ENCRYPTION SOLUTION. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENGINEERING SERVICES AND TRAINING FOR COMMVAULT SIMPANA BACKUP INFRASTRUCTURE. THE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALVAREZ 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 $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-28. End: 2021-09-27.

What is the long-term cost-effectiveness of this tape-less backup solution compared to traditional tape backups or alternative cloud-based solutions?

Assessing the long-term cost-effectiveness requires a total cost of ownership analysis, including initial hardware and software acquisition, ongoing licensing fees, maintenance, colocation costs, and potential energy savings. Tape-less solutions often reduce media replacement costs and manual labor associated with tape management. However, the significant upfront investment and recurring software licensing fees must be weighed against the lifecycle costs of other technologies.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on Commvault Simpana for data protection and backup, particularly concerning vendor lock-in and future software compatibility?

The primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the VA becomes heavily dependent on Commvault's proprietary technology, potentially leading to higher costs for future upgrades or support. Ensuring robust Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and understanding the vendor's roadmap for software updates and compatibility with evolving IT environments are crucial. Diversification strategies or contingency plans for data migration should be considered.

How effectively does this tape-less backup solution enhance the VA's overall cybersecurity posture and resilience against data breaches or ransomware attacks?

The tape-less solution, particularly with encryption, should enhance cybersecurity by providing more secure and efficient data protection. Features like immutability and rapid recovery capabilities are critical against ransomware. However, the effectiveness hinges on proper implementation, configuration, ongoing security patching, and integration with the VA's broader cybersecurity framework. Regular security audits and penetration testing are essential.

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: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8251 GREENSBORO DR STE 230, TYSONS CORNER, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,527,794

Exercised Options: $27,527,794

Current Obligation: $27,527,794

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD19B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline