VA awards $31.6M for IT research and advisory services to Gartner, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $31,588,917 ($31.6M)

Contractor: Gartner, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2017-08-01

End Date: 2022-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENTERPRISE IT RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES TO HELP VA ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, BUILD A WELL-TRAINED AND INFORMED WORKFORCE, AND IMPROVE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS ACROSS ALL OF VA. RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED IN THE AREAS OF HEALTHCARE, IT, AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF VETERANS. IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: STAMFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06902

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $31.6 million to GARTNER, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENTERPRISE IT RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES TO HELP VA ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, BUILD A WELL-TRAINED AND INFORMED WORKFORCE, AND IMPROVE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS ACROSS ALL OF VA. RESEARCH AND ADVI… Key points: 1. Contract supports VA's mission in healthcare, IT, and business management. 2. Gartner, Inc. is a well-established provider of IT research and advisory. 3. The contract spans five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Spending is concentrated in IT services, a critical area for government modernization.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $31.6 million over five years appears reasonable for enterprise-level IT research and advisory services from a major provider like Gartner. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government IT advisory contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair pricing and good value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to procure essential IT research and advisory services to improve VA operations and veteran services.

Public Impact

Improved healthcare delivery for veterans through IT advancements. Enhanced IT infrastructure and management within the VA. Better business management practices supporting veteran programs. Informed decision-making for VA leadership on technology investments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
Reliance on external expertise may not build sufficient internal capacity.

Positive Signals

Access to cutting-edge IT research and best practices.
Support for critical VA initiatives and modernization efforts.
Leveraging a reputable contractor for specialized knowledge.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511), though the description leans towards advisory and research. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for digital transformation and modernization across agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (SB=false). While large contracts often go to prime contractors, opportunities for small businesses may exist as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Gartner, Inc. Standard government oversight mechanisms for contract performance and financial management would apply.

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).
Solely awarded to one large vendor.
Potential for scope creep.
Reliance on external expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $31.6 million to GARTNER, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE ENTERPRISE IT RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES TO HELP VA ACCOMPLISH ITS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, BUILD A WELL-TRAINED AND INFORMED WORKFORCE, AND IMPROVE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS ACROSS ALL OF VA. RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED IN THE AREAS OF HEALTHCARE, IT, AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN PROVIDING AND SUPPORTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF VETERANS. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GARTNER, 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 $31.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-08-01. End: 2022-07-31.

What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this contract and how do they align with VA's current strategic IT priorities?

The contract outlines enterprise IT research and advisory subscription services across healthcare, IT, and business management. These services aim to support VA's mission, workforce development, and program guidance. A detailed alignment with current strategic priorities would require reviewing VA's IT roadmaps and the specific deliverables outlined in the contract's statement of work.

How does Gartner's pricing for these services compare to other major IT advisory firms competing for similar government contracts?

Benchmarking Gartner's pricing against competitors like Forrester, IDC, or other specialized IT consulting firms for similar government contracts is crucial. Factors like the scope of research, access levels to analysts, and duration of subscription influence cost. A formal cost-benefit analysis would be needed to determine if the VA received competitive pricing.

What metrics are in place to measure the effectiveness of Gartner's advisory services in improving VA's IT initiatives and veteran assistance?

Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These could include timely delivery of research reports, satisfaction surveys from VA stakeholders, adoption rates of recommended best practices, or demonstrable improvements in specific IT project outcomes or veteran service metrics influenced by the advisory input.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA118-17-R-2091

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 56 TOP GALLANT RD, STAMFORD, CT, 06902

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,289,562

Exercised Options: $31,588,917

Current Obligation: $31,588,917

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline