DOJ's $20.5M Mail Services Contract Awarded to Stanley Associates, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,532,728 ($20.5M)

Contractor: Stanley Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2010-09-28

End Date: 2016-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,194 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAIL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $20.5 million to STANLEY ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: MAIL SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $20.5 million over its period of performance suggests a significant need for mail services within the Department of Justice. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to favorable pricing. 3. The duration of the contract (2194 days) indicates a long-term requirement and potential for stable service delivery. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210 for Facilities Support Services places this contract within a broad service category. 5. The contract's performance in Washington D.C. highlights a concentration of federal mail service needs in the nation's capital. 6. The absence of small business set-aside indicates that the primary competition was not specifically targeted towards small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $20.5 million contract for mail services is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. However, the duration of nearly six years suggests a substantial and ongoing need. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar facilities support services contracts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests that the Department of Justice sought the most advantageous offer based on price and other factors. The number of bidders is not specified, but a competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it is intended to drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best possible value for its investment in mail services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the various components and offices within the Department of Justice, ensuring the efficient flow of official mail. The services delivered include the essential functions of mail processing, sorting, and distribution, critical for internal and external communications. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the Department of Justice's main offices are located. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of individuals by Stanley Associates, Inc. to perform these mail services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep if labor hours are not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical operational function.
Risk of service disruption if contractor performance falters.
Limited flexibility to switch providers mid-contract if issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Long contract duration implies a stable and reliable service provider.
Contract covers essential facilities support services, indicating a well-defined need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of buildings and grounds. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large corporations to smaller specialized firms. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various government agencies' operational needs. Benchmarking requires comparison against other government contracts for similar mail handling and facilities support, considering factors like geographic location and service scope.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the competition was open to all eligible firms, and the primary contractor, Stanley Associates, Inc., was selected based on overall merit. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this instance, as there were no explicit provisions to favor or involve small businesses in this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Justice. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Mail Management Services
Facilities Operations and Maintenance Contracts
Government Administrative Support Services
Department of Justice Procurement

Risk Flags

Contract duration may exceed current needs or technological relevance.
Labor hour pricing requires diligent monitoring to control costs.
Performance data not publicly available to assess effectiveness.
Potential for service disruption if contractor fails to perform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $20.5 million to STANLEY ASSOCIATES, INC.. MAIL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANLEY ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-28. End: 2016-09-30.

What was the specific performance history of Stanley Associates, Inc. on previous federal contracts prior to this award?

Assessing the performance history of Stanley Associates, Inc. on prior federal contracts is crucial for understanding their reliability and capability. While the provided data does not detail past performance, a thorough analysis would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any documented disputes or claims, and the successful completion of similar service contracts. A track record of consistent, high-quality service delivery on comparable contracts would indicate a lower risk for this award. Conversely, a history of performance issues, missed deadlines, or contract disputes would raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the Department of Justice's needs effectively and efficiently.

How does the estimated value per year of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar mail services?

The total contract value is approximately $20.5 million over a period of 2194 days (roughly 5.9 years). This equates to an average annual value of approximately $3.47 million ($20,532,727.6 / 5.9 years). Benchmarking this against industry standards for mail services, particularly within large federal agencies, requires detailed market research. Factors such as the volume of mail processed, the scope of services (e.g., sorting, delivery, specialized handling), and geographic location significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on the service level agreements and the precise volume of mail handled, a direct comparison is difficult. However, for a large federal agency like the DOJ in Washington D.C., this annual figure appears within a reasonable range, assuming a comprehensive service offering.

What were the key risk indicators identified during the procurement process for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the risk indicators identified during the procurement process. However, common risk indicators for facilities support services contracts include the contractor's financial stability, past performance record, technical approach to service delivery, and management capability. Given this contract was awarded under full and open competition, the evaluation process would have assessed these factors. Potential risks could have included the contractor's capacity to scale operations to meet DOJ's demands, the security of mail handling processes, and the potential for service disruptions. The long duration of the contract might also present risks related to evolving technological needs or changes in postal regulations over its lifespan.

What is the historical spending trend for mail services by the Department of Justice over the past five years?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract award from 2010 to 2016. To understand the historical spending trend for mail services by the Department of Justice, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data across all relevant contracts over multiple fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for all contracts categorized under mail services, postal services, or related facilities support codes awarded by the DOJ. Analyzing this trend would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable, and identify any significant shifts in contracting strategies or vendor relationships over time.

How effective has the full and open competition process been in ensuring cost savings for this specific mail services contract?

The effectiveness of full and open competition in ensuring cost savings for this specific contract is inferred rather than directly measured by the provided data. Awarding under full and open competition implies that multiple bids were solicited and evaluated, creating a competitive environment that typically drives down prices. The Department of Justice likely selected the offer that represented the best value, considering both price and other factors. However, without knowing the number of bids received, the range of proposed prices, or a post-award cost analysis, it's impossible to quantify the exact cost savings achieved compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The long-term performance and actual costs incurred versus budgeted amounts would provide further insight into the cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Groupe CGI Inc (UEI: 246801237)

Address: 3101 WILSON BLVD STE 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,532,728

Exercised Options: $20,532,728

Current Obligation: $20,532,728

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DJJ10C1978

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline