VA awards $21.6M contract for merit review support to JJR SOLUTIONS LLC over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,620,542 ($21.6M)

Contractor: JJR Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2015-10-01

End Date: 2021-07-28

Contract Duration: 2,127 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MERIT REVIEW SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: BEAVERCREEK, GREENE County, OHIO, 45431

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $21.6 million to JJR SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: MERIT REVIEW SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $21.6M over 5 years suggests a significant need for ongoing support services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The definitive contract type with a firm fixed price suggests a clear scope of work and predictable costs. 4. The duration of 2127 days (approx. 5.8 years) indicates a long-term commitment by the agency. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category. 6. The contract was awarded to JJR SOLUTIONS LLC, a single entity, highlighting the importance of their specialized services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $21.6M over nearly 6 years averages to approximately $3.7M annually. Without specific benchmarks for 'Merit Review Support' services within the VA or comparable agencies, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty, but the absence of detailed performance metrics or comparison data makes a precise value assessment challenging. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to industry standards or similar contracts.

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 designation implies that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, or that the exclusion of sources was a condition of the competition. The number of bids received (5) indicates a moderate level of interest, suggesting that the opportunity was known and accessible to potential offerors. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. The fact that five bidders participated suggests that the market was engaged, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its programs, which receive support in their merit review processes. The services delivered are professional, scientific, and technical, crucial for the effective functioning of review boards or similar oversight functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational scope of the VA, likely nationwide, though specific locations of service delivery are not detailed. Workforce implications could include the employment of professionals in scientific, technical, and administrative roles by JJR SOLUTIONS LLC to fulfill the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and impact on overall competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or specific deliverables makes it challenging to assess the true effectiveness and value of the services provided.
The broad NAICS code (541990) for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' can sometimes obscure the specific nature and complexity of the work performed.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.
The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the agency and taxpayer.
The contract duration of nearly 6 years suggests a stable, long-term relationship and potentially a proven track record of service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad category of professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically within the 'All Other' subsector (NAICS 541990). This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise. Federal spending in this area supports various agency functions, from research and development to administrative support and program evaluation. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it to similar support services contracts within the federal government, particularly those supporting large agencies like the VA, which often have complex review and oversight needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, JJR SOLUTIONS LLC, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business given the contract value and duration. Opportunities for small businesses would typically arise through subcontracting if JJR SOLUTIONS LLC chooses to engage them, which is not explicitly detailed in this data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Veterans Affairs responsible for merit review support. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring JJR SOLUTIONS LLC to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency would be facilitated by contract award databases and potentially through agency reports on program performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Merit Review Programs
Government Support Services Contracts
Professional and Technical Services
Contract Oversight and Administration
Federal Procurement

Risk Flags

Competition Type Ambiguity
Lack of Specific Performance Metrics
Broad NAICS Code Classification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $21.6 million to JJR SOLUTIONS LLC. MERIT REVIEW SUPPORT IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JJR 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 $21.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-10-01. End: 2021-07-28.

What specific services does 'Merit Review Support' entail for the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The term 'Merit Review Support' typically refers to the administrative and technical assistance provided to bodies responsible for evaluating the merit, significance, and potential impact of research proposals, grant applications, or other programmatic initiatives. For the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), this could involve supporting the review of research grants submitted to the VA's research and development programs, ensuring that proposals meet scientific and ethical standards. Services might include managing the peer review process, coordinating reviewer assignments, facilitating communication between applicants and reviewers, ensuring compliance with VA policies, and maintaining records of review outcomes. The broad NAICS code (541990) suggests a wide range of potential support functions beyond just scientific evaluation, possibly encompassing logistical, administrative, and data management aspects critical to the integrity and efficiency of the VA's merit review processes.

How does the $21.6M contract value compare to similar merit review support contracts within the federal government?

Directly comparing the $21.6M contract value for 'Merit Review Support' to similar contracts across the federal government is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the agencies involved. However, the award to JJR SOLUTIONS LLC by the VA over approximately 5.8 years represents an average annual value of roughly $3.7M. This figure suggests a substantial and ongoing requirement. Larger agencies with significant research and grant-making functions, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Science Foundation (NSF), often have contracts in the multi-million dollar range for managing and supporting their peer review processes. The VA's significant investment in research related to veterans' health likely necessitates a robust support infrastructure, making this contract size plausible within the context of large federal research support endeavors.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the key performance indicators (KPIs) or specific deliverables for this 'Merit Review Support' contract. However, based on the nature of such services, expected KPIs would likely focus on efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. These could include metrics such as the timeliness of review completion, the number of proposals reviewed per period, adherence to review timelines, the accuracy of administrative support provided, and the successful management of reviewer pools. Deliverables would typically involve reports on review outcomes, maintained databases of applications and reviewers, administrative documentation, and potentially recommendations for process improvements. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that these deliverables and performance standards would have been clearly defined in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of JJR SOLUTIONS LLC in performing similar government contracts?

To assess the track record of JJR SOLUTIONS LLC, one would need to examine their contract history with the federal government. This includes reviewing past awards, contract performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past performance issues or successes. Without access to this specific performance data, it's difficult to definitively state their track record. However, securing a nearly $22 million, multi-year contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs suggests a level of capability and reliability that has met the agency's requirements. Further due diligence would involve searching federal procurement databases and performance reporting systems for detailed information on their past performance in delivering professional, scientific, and technical services.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract of this duration and value?

Contracts spanning nearly six years and valued at $21.6 million carry several potential risks. For the government, risks include potential cost overruns if the fixed-price structure doesn't adequately account for unforeseen inflation or scope creep, although the latter is mitigated by the fixed-price nature. There's also the risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes heavily reliant on JJR SOLUTIONS LLC, potentially reducing future flexibility or competitive options. For the contractor, risks include underestimating the resources required, changes in government requirements or priorities, and potential performance issues that could lead to contract disputes or termination. Ensuring continuous alignment with VA objectives and maintaining high service quality over such an extended period are critical risk mitigation factors.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: VA268-15-R-0090

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3610 PENTAGON PARK BLVD STE 220, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45431

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: $26,380,759

Exercised Options: $21,620,542

Current Obligation: $21,620,542

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline