VA awards $29.5M for Citrix hardware, software, and services to Thundercat Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,516,464 ($29.5M)

Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2017-03-28

End Date: 2020-03-28

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF; FFP TASK ORDER FOR BRAND NAME CITRIX HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SERVICES. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FOR A 12 MONTH BASE, WITH TWO SUBSEQUENT 12-MONTH OPTIONS AND MULTIPLE OPTIONAL TASKS. THE BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS ESTIMATED TO BE MARCH 29, 2017 THROUGH MARCH 28, 2018. CONTRACT IS ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 28, 2020.

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29.5 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF; FFP TASK ORDER FOR BRAND NAME CITRIX HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SERVICES. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FOR A 12 MONTH BASE, WITH TWO SUBSEQUENT 12-MONTH OPTIONS AND MULTIPLE OPTIONAL TASKS. THE BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS ESTIMATED TO BE MARC… Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. The contract includes a base period and two option periods, allowing for flexibility and sustained support. 3. Services encompass hardware, software, and technical support, suggesting a comprehensive solution for IT needs. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. The contract duration is approximately three years, aligning with typical IT refresh cycles. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 suggests a focus on other computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $29.5 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for comprehensive IT hardware, software, and technical services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT procurements for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the total value is contingent on the exercise of option periods and optional tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific details of the bidding process, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided in the summary. However, the designation suggests a competitive environment that should theoretically lead to fair pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel benefit from reliable and up-to-date Citrix hardware and software, enhancing their ability to perform duties. The contract ensures the delivery of essential technical services to maintain and support the deployed IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting VA facilities and personnel across the country. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals to manage, implement, and support the Citrix environment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the specific brand-name Citrix products become deeply integrated into VA systems.
Reliance on a single vendor for hardware, software, and technical services could limit future flexibility in technology choices.
The total value of the contract is an estimate and could increase if all options are exercised, requiring careful budget management.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the base period and any exercised options.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing structure.
The contract covers a comprehensive suite of IT needs (hardware, software, services), offering a consolidated solution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer hardware, software, and related technical support. The market for such services is large and highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering solutions. The VA's reliance on brand-name Citrix products indicates a specific technology ecosystem, and spending within this niche is common for large federal agencies seeking standardized and supported solutions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses could have bid directly or participated as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

VA IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Civilian IT Procurement
Enterprise Software Licensing
IT Hardware and Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Brand Name Justification
Potential for Vendor Lock-in
Contract Duration and Option Exercise Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29.5 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF; FFP TASK ORDER FOR BRAND NAME CITRIX HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL SERVICES. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FOR A 12 MONTH BASE, WITH TWO SUBSEQUENT 12-MONTH OPTIONS AND MULTIPLE OPTIONAL TASKS. THE BASE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS ESTIMATED TO BE MARCH 29, 2017 THROUGH MARCH 28, 2018. CONTRACT IS ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 28, 2020.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, 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 $29.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-03-28. End: 2020-03-28.

What is Thundercat Technology's track record with the VA and other federal agencies for similar IT contracts?

Thundercat Technology, LLC has a history of performing IT-related contracts for various federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their contract portfolio often includes hardware, software, and professional services. A detailed review of their past performance on similar firm-fixed-price task orders, particularly those involving brand-name products and comprehensive technical support, would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability. Examining past performance evaluations and any documented issues or successes would provide crucial context for this specific award.

How does the per-unit cost of the awarded Citrix hardware and software compare to market rates or other federal contracts?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs for the Citrix hardware and software. To benchmark this, one would need to compare the pricing of individual components (e.g., licenses, hardware units) against publicly available commercial price lists, GSA schedules, or other federal contract awards for the same or comparable items. The 'brand name' designation might imply a premium price. Without itemized pricing, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible, but the overall contract value can be assessed against similar large-scale IT procurements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract, and how is performance being monitored?

The summary does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for IT hardware, software, and services contracts, KPIs might include system uptime, response times for technical support, delivery timelines for hardware, software functionality, and user satisfaction. The VA's contracting officer and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's terms and conditions, including any specified service level agreements (SLAs). Formal performance reviews and acceptance of deliverables would be part of the oversight process.

What is the historical spending pattern for Citrix products and related services at the VA, and how does this award fit within that trend?

Historical spending data for Citrix products and services at the VA would reveal trends in IT infrastructure investments. This $29.5 million award represents a significant, multi-year commitment to the Citrix ecosystem. Analyzing prior years' spending on similar contracts, including sole-source or competitive awards for Citrix solutions, would indicate whether this represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of established spending patterns. Understanding this context helps assess the strategic alignment and potential budget implications of this contract.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor (Thundercat Technology) for brand-name Citrix products and services?

The primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for brand-name products and associated services include potential vendor lock-in, limited negotiation leverage on future renewals or expansions, and a lack of flexibility to adopt alternative or more cost-effective technologies. If Thundercat Technology faces financial difficulties or changes its business strategy, it could disrupt the VA's IT operations. Furthermore, the 'brand name' aspect might limit competition and potentially increase costs compared to solutions that allow for broader vendor participation.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' designation impact the perceived value and fairness of the award process?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the competition was open to all responsible bidders, there might have been specific reasons (e.g., brand name justification, unique capabilities) for excluding certain types of solutions or vendors from the outset. This can sometimes limit the breadth of competition compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. However, if properly justified and executed, it can still lead to fair pricing and award to the best-value offeror. The key is understanding the rationale behind the source exclusion.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1925 ISAAC NEWTON SQ STE 180, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,592,254

Exercised Options: $29,516,464

Current Obligation: $29,516,464

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD26B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline