VA awards $36M for Mail Management to Tri-Starr Management Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,010,105 ($36.0M)

Contractor: Tri-Starr Management Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2011-10-01

End Date: 2012-10-04

Contract Duration: 369 days

Daily Burn Rate: $97.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAIL MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: LEAVENWORTH, LEAVENWORTH County, KANSAS, 66048

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $36.0 million to TRI-STARR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: MAIL MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Tri-Starr Management Services, Inc. for mail management services. 2. The contract value is $36,010,104.64. 3. Awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration is 369 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $36M for mail management services appears to be within a reasonable range for a one-year contract of this nature, though specific benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without detailed service scope.

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 that should have led to a fair market price. The use of firm fixed price indicates price certainty for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at the best possible price.

Public Impact

Ensures efficient mail processing and delivery for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Supports critical administrative functions within the VA. Potential impact on veterans' access to mailed information and benefits.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is relatively short (369 days), potentially leading to frequent re-competition and associated transition costs.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The specific nature of 'mail management' is broad and could encompass various services, requiring careful oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust market search.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract value is clearly defined.

Sector Analysis

Mail management services fall under general administrative and support functions. Spending benchmarks for this specific service are highly variable based on agency size and mail volume, but $36M for a year suggests a significant operational scale.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve contract officers and technical monitors ensuring Tri-Starr meets performance requirements and adheres to the contract terms. The firm fixed price structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently.

Related Government Programs

Internet Service Providers
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed service scope.
Short contract duration.
No indication of small business participation.
Limited performance data provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $36.0 million to TRI-STARR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.. MAIL MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRI-STARR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, 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 $36.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-10-01. End: 2012-10-04.

What specific mail management services are included in this $36M contract, and how do they align with VA's operational needs?

The provided data lacks specifics on the mail management services. A comprehensive review would detail services like mail sorting, processing, delivery, tracking, and potentially digital mailroom solutions. Alignment with VA needs would be assessed by examining the Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure it addresses the volume, types of mail, and security requirements critical for VA operations and veteran communications.

What is the benchmark cost for similar mail management contracts across federal agencies of comparable size to the VA?

Establishing a precise benchmark requires access to a broader dataset of federal contracts for mail management, categorized by agency size, scope of services, and contract type. Without this, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $36M for a year suggests a substantial operation, and comparing it to contracts for large federal agencies' mailrooms or logistics support would be a starting point for assessing value.

How effectively does the firm fixed price contract incentivize Tri-Starr Management Services to deliver high-quality mail management while controlling costs?

A firm fixed price contract incentivizes the contractor to control costs to maximize profit. For mail management, this means Tri-Starr must efficiently manage labor, resources, and processes. High quality is expected to be maintained to avoid penalties or contract disputes, but the effectiveness hinges on clear performance standards within the SOW and diligent government oversight to ensure both cost control and service quality are met.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Internet Service Providers and Web Search Portals › Internet Service Providers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1941 CITRONA DR, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,010,105

Exercised Options: $36,010,105

Current Obligation: $36,010,105

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS25F0037S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline