VA awards $46.2M for Vets Point-of-Service Kiosks to Vecna Technologies under BPA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,229,479 ($46.2M)

Contractor: Vecna Technologies, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2011-06-30

End Date: 2013-08-30

Contract Duration: 792 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VETERANS POINT-OF-SERVICE KIOSK UNITS, SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TO MEET VA REQUIREMENTS, AND SERVICES TO PREPARE FACILITIES AND STAFFS, INSTALL, IMPLEMENT, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30329, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $46.2 million to VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC for work described as: VETERANS POINT-OF-SERVICE KIOSK UNITS, SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TO MEET VA REQUIREMENTS, AND SERVICES TO PREPARE FACILITIES AND STAFFS, INSTALL, IMPLEMENT, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. Key points: 1. Spending focuses on kiosk hardware, software, development, and facility/staff preparation. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for price discovery. 3. The contract value is significant for a specific technology deployment. 4. The sector involves IT services for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $46.2M over two years for kiosk units, software, and services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar government IT deployments for patient interface systems would be necessary to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to improve veteran access to services through technology, which could lead to increased efficiency and satisfaction.

Public Impact

Enhances veteran access to VA services and information. Modernizes VA facilities with interactive technology. Supports staff training and facility preparation for new systems. Potential for improved patient experience and reduced administrative burden.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 58 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in software development and services.
Long-term maintenance and upgrade costs not fully detailed.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear need for improved veteran interaction.
Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Includes comprehensive support for implementation and staff training.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming and related services. Government spending on IT infrastructure and software development for citizen-facing services is a significant area of expenditure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, suggesting internal VA oversight. The use of a BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) implies a framework for ongoing purchases, which may have its own oversight mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Uncertainty regarding long-term maintenance costs.
Dependence on successful staff training and adoption.
Scalability challenges for future VA needs.
Integration complexities with existing VA IT infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $46.2 million to VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. VETERANS POINT-OF-SERVICE KIOSK UNITS, SOFTWARE AND SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TO MEET VA REQUIREMENTS, AND SERVICES TO PREPARE FACILITIES AND STAFFS, INSTALL, IMPLEMENT, MAINTAIN, AND IMPROVE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VECNA TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $46.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-06-30. End: 2013-08-30.

What is the projected long-term cost of ownership for these kiosks, including maintenance, software updates, and potential hardware replacements?

The provided data focuses on the initial award value and duration. A comprehensive assessment of long-term costs would require examining maintenance contracts, software licensing agreements, and the expected lifespan of the hardware. Without this information, it's difficult to ascertain the total cost of ownership beyond the initial contract period, potentially impacting the overall value proposition for taxpayers.

How effectively will the implemented kiosks improve veteran access to services and reduce wait times compared to current methods?

The effectiveness of the kiosks in improving veteran access and reducing wait times is a key performance indicator. Success will depend on user-friendliness, the range of services accessible via the kiosks, and seamless integration with existing VA systems. Post-implementation reviews and veteran feedback will be crucial to measure this impact accurately.

What measures are in place to ensure data security and patient privacy on these public-facing kiosks?

Ensuring data security and patient privacy is paramount, especially with sensitive veteran information. Robust security protocols, encryption, regular security audits, and compliance with HIPAA and other relevant regulations are essential. The contract should specify these requirements and the vendor's responsibility in maintaining them throughout the system's lifecycle.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 5004 LEHIGH RD, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20740

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,229,479

Exercised Options: $46,229,479

Current Obligation: $46,229,479

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA741BP0019

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline