VA awards $32.85M contract for Mail Manifesting to Tri-Starr Management Services, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,850,000 ($32.9M)

Contractor: Tri-Starr Management Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2010-10-01

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $90.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MAIL MANIFESTING

Place of Performance

Location: HINES, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60141

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $32.9 million to TRI-STARR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: MAIL MANIFESTING Key points: 1. The contract value of $32.85 million for a 364-day duration is substantial for courier services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract was awarded as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The NAICS code 492110 indicates a focus on courier and express delivery services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $32.85 million for a 364-day duration suggests a significant service requirement. Benchmarking against similar courier and delivery service contracts would be necessary for a precise pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is expected to yield a fair price for taxpayers by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

Ensures efficient mail processing and delivery for VA operations. Supports the logistical needs of a major federal agency. Potential impact on the efficiency of VA communications and mail handling.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is less than one year, potentially leading to frequent re-competition and administrative overhead.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type.

Sector Analysis

The courier and express delivery services sector is competitive, with many established players. Federal spending in this sector often focuses on reliability, speed, and cost-effectiveness for mail and package delivery.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside goals were considered or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply to ensure performance and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Couriers and Express Delivery Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is less than one year.
No small business participation indicated.
Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized manifesting software is used.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical mail processing functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $32.9 million to TRI-STARR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.. MAIL MANIFESTING

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 $32.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-10-01. End: 2011-09-30.

What is the specific mail manifesting service provided and how does it differ from standard mail services?

Mail manifesting typically refers to a system that tracks and accounts for mail being sent, often for bulk mailings or specific delivery requirements. This service likely involves software or processes to generate manifests, track volumes, and ensure compliance with postal regulations, going beyond simple delivery to include detailed record-keeping and reporting for the VA's mail operations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract and how is performance measured?

Key performance indicators would likely include metrics such as on-time delivery rates, accuracy of manifest data, mail processing speed, and adherence to any specific handling or sorting requirements. Performance would be measured through regular reporting by the contractor, potential audits, and feedback from VA personnel interacting with the service.

How does the $32.85 million award compare to previous contracts for similar services at the VA?

Without historical data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the award value suggests a significant scale of operations for mail manifesting. Benchmarking against prior VA contracts or similar agency procurements for mail logistics and manifesting services would reveal if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable spending trend.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Couriers and Express Delivery Services › Couriers and Express Delivery Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1941 CITRONA DR STE 1, FERNANDINA BEACH, FL, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,850,000

Exercised Options: $32,850,000

Current Obligation: $32,850,000

Timeline