Montlake Mailroom Program Support Services contract awarded to Prairie Quest, Inc. for over $900K

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $904,978 ($905.0K)

Contractor: Prairie Quest, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $620/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MONTLAKE MAILROOM PROGRAM SUPPORT SVCS

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98112

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $904,977.85 to PRAIRIE QUEST, INC. for work described as: NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MONTLAKE MAILROOM PROGRAM SUPPORT SVCS Key points: 1. Contract provides administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Performance period spans over four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 5. Services are priced on a labor hours basis. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $904,977.85 for 1460 days of support appears reasonable for administrative and management consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for mailroom program support is difficult without more specific service details. However, the pricing is based on labor hours, which allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns. The duration of the contract suggests a consistent need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was open, there might have been specific criteria or reasons for excluding certain potential bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach aims to ensure fair access to government contracts while potentially narrowing the field based on specific qualifications.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple firms to offer their best pricing and services to win the contract.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will benefit from improved mailroom program support. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting, likely aimed at optimizing mailroom operations. The contract is geographically located in Washington (WA), indicating local impact. The contract supports federal agency operations, contributing to the overall efficiency of government services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation into the rationale.
Labor hour pricing can lead to increased costs if not managed diligently.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contract duration of nearly four years indicates a stable and ongoing requirement for these services.
The contractor, Prairie Quest, Inc., has secured a federal contract, implying some level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for supporting the operational efficiency of government agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The value of this contract is relatively modest within the broader federal contracting landscape for consulting services, but it addresses a specific operational need for NOAA.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited unless they are prime contractors who won through the full and open competition. The absence of a small business set-aside does not necessarily reflect the overall small business utilization by the agency, but it does mean this particular award did not directly aim to boost small business prime contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce. Standard oversight mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to the terms and conditions of the delivery order. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Mailroom Operations Support
Administrative Management Consulting Services
General Management Consulting Services
Department of Commerce IT and Administrative Support Contracts
NOAA Operational Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing.
Lack of clarity on the 'exclusion of sources' rationale.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.
Limited visibility into small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $904,977.85 to PRAIRIE QUEST, INC.. NEW REQUIREMENT FOR MONTLAKE MAILROOM PROGRAM SUPPORT SVCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRAIRIE QUEST, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $904,977.85.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific mailroom program support services are being provided under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541611) for the Montlake Mailroom Program. While the exact scope is not detailed in the provided data, these services typically encompass process improvement, operational efficiency analysis, workflow optimization, resource management, and potentially technology integration related to mailroom functions. This could include managing mail flow, ensuring timely delivery, optimizing staffing, implementing new procedures, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations for mail handling and security within the Montlake facility.

How does the pricing structure (labor hours) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

Pricing on a labor hours basis offers flexibility, allowing the government to pay for the actual time spent by personnel. This can be advantageous when the scope of work is not precisely defined or is expected to change. However, it carries a higher risk of cost escalation if not managed effectively, as the total cost is directly tied to the hours worked. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer greater cost certainty for the government but require a well-defined scope upfront and can be less adaptable to evolving needs. For administrative and management consulting, labor hour contracts are common for advisory roles, while fixed-price might be used for specific project deliverables.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award type?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award type suggests that while the competition was broadly advertised, certain potential offerors were intentionally excluded based on specific criteria. This could introduce risks if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive, inadvertently limiting the pool of qualified bidders and potentially leading to less competitive pricing or a suboptimal selection. It also raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the exclusion process. Understanding the justification for excluding sources is crucial to assessing whether the government obtained the best possible value and avoided potential bid protests or perceptions of favoritism.

What is the historical spending pattern for Montlake Mailroom Program Support Services at NOAA?

The provided data represents a single delivery order valued at $904,977.85 with an end date of September 30, 2026. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine prior contracts for similar services at the Montlake facility or for NOAA's mailroom operations. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this current contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services.

What is the track record of Prairie Quest, Inc. in providing administrative and management consulting services to the federal government?

Prairie Quest, Inc. is the awardee of this contract. To assess their track record, a review of their past federal contract awards would be necessary. This would involve searching databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for previous contracts held by Prairie Quest, Inc., noting the agencies they've served, the types of services provided (specifically administrative and management consulting), contract values, performance history, and any reported issues or successes. A strong track record with similar services would indicate a lower performance risk for this current contract.

How does the contract's value and duration align with typical federal contracts for mailroom support?

The contract value of approximately $905,000 over nearly four years (1460 days) suggests a moderate-sized, long-term support requirement. Typical federal contracts for mailroom support can vary significantly based on the size of the facility, volume of mail, and complexity of services. Smaller contracts might be for basic mail handling, while larger ones could involve sophisticated logistics, security, and digital mailroom solutions. This contract's value and duration indicate a substantial, ongoing need for comprehensive administrative and management support for the Montlake mailroom, aligning with a significant operational function rather than a minor task.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4211 HOBSON CT STE A, FORT WAYNE, IN, 46815

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,156,436

Exercised Options: $926,832

Current Obligation: $904,978

Actual Outlays: $492,586

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M320DNFFP0060

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline