IRS awards $137K for document formatting, highlighting need for specialized administrative support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $136,837 ($136.8K)

Contractor: Lawver & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2025-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $376/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE WORD PROCESSING AND DOCUMENT FORMATTING SERVICES FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS), SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED (SBSE), HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICE EXAMINATION TRAINING.

Place of Performance

Location: COVINGTON, NEWTON County, GEORGIA, 30016

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $136,837.05 to LAWVER & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE WORD PROCESSING AND DOCUMENT FORMATTING SERVICES FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS), SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED (SBSE), HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICE EXAMINATION TRAINING. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of document preparation and formatting for training. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting a competitive market for these services. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract and a defined scope for administrative support. 4. Performance context is within the IRS's Human Capital Office, focusing on essential training materials. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative and support services, a common requirement across federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $137,000 for a one-year period for word processing and document formatting services seems appropriate for specialized administrative support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for document preparation services suggests this price point is within a reasonable range, especially considering the specific needs of the IRS's examination training program. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports predictable cost management.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific service. While not a large number, it implies that the market has at least a few capable providers willing to compete for this type of federal contract.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a limited number of bidders, generally leads to better price discovery and ensures taxpayers benefit from market-driven pricing rather than a lack of options.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the IRS's Small Business/Self-Employed (SBSE) division, which will receive enhanced training materials. Services delivered include essential word processing and document formatting, crucial for clear and effective training. The geographic impact is primarily within the IRS's operational footprint, supporting internal training initiatives. Workforce implications are indirect, focusing on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of IRS training programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if training material requirements evolve significantly beyond initial specifications.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical administrative function could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services.
Defined period of performance limits the duration of the contract.

Sector Analysis

The administrative and support services sector is a broad category encompassing a wide range of functions essential for government operations. Document preparation and formatting services, like those procured here, are a niche within this sector. Federal spending in this area is consistent across agencies, supporting everything from internal communications to public-facing documentation. The market is generally competitive, with many firms offering specialized services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no specific subcontracting requirements were mandated. The prime contractor, Lawver & Associates, Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, this award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this delivery order would typically fall under the contracting officer and the program managers within the IRS SBSE Human Capital Office. The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IRS Training and Development Programs
Federal Administrative Support Services
Document Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential vendor dependency
Scope creep risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $136,837.05 to LAWVER & ASSOCIATES, INC.. THIS IS A DELIVERY ORDER TO ACQUIRE WORD PROCESSING AND DOCUMENT FORMATTING SERVICES FOR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS), SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED (SBSE), HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICE EXAMINATION TRAINING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LAWVER & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Internal Revenue Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $136,837.05.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2025-03-31.

What is the track record of Lawver & Associates, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Lawver & Associates, Inc.'s track record. Specifically, one would look for past performance evaluations on similar contracts, particularly those involving document preparation, formatting, and administrative support for government agencies. Examining contract history for any performance issues, disputes, or awards for excellence would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their experience beyond the current award.

How does the cost of these document preparation services compare to industry benchmarks for similar private sector work?

Benchmarking this contract against private sector rates for word processing and document formatting requires detailed analysis of the specific services rendered. Factors such as complexity of formatting, turnaround times, and required expertise influence pricing. While the $137,000 contract for a year of service appears reasonable within a federal context, private sector rates can vary widely. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the labor hours, skill levels, and overhead associated with the services provided by Lawver & Associates, Inc. against comparable commercial offerings, considering that federal contracts often include administrative overhead and compliance costs.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for these critical training support services?

The primary risk of relying on a single vendor for critical training support services is vendor lock-in and potential performance degradation. If Lawver & Associates, Inc. experiences financial instability, management changes, or a decline in service quality, the IRS's training program could be significantly disrupted. Furthermore, the lack of immediate alternative providers could weaken the government's negotiating position in future contract renewals. Mitigating these risks involves robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning for service continuity.

How effective are these document preparation services in enhancing the IRS's examination training program?

The effectiveness of these document preparation services is measured by their contribution to the clarity, accessibility, and overall quality of the IRS's examination training materials. Well-formatted and error-free documents are crucial for effective learning and knowledge retention among IRS personnel. While the direct impact on training outcomes is difficult to quantify without specific metrics from the IRS, the service addresses a fundamental need for professional presentation of training content. Improved training materials can indirectly lead to more consistent and effective examination processes.

What has been the historical federal spending trend for document preparation and formatting services?

Historical federal spending on document preparation and formatting services, categorized under NAICS code 561410 (Document Preparation Services), has remained relatively stable over the past decade. While specific dollar amounts fluctuate based on agency needs and budget allocations, the overall demand for these services is consistent. Agencies across the government require support for creating, formatting, and managing a wide array of documents, from internal reports and training materials to public-facing publications. Spending is distributed across various departments, with agencies like the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (which includes the IRS) being significant users.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Document Preparation Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 135 WHISPERING PINE DR, COVINGTON, GA, 30016

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $136,837

Exercised Options: $136,837

Current Obligation: $136,837

Actual Outlays: $136,837

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F0161W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline