VA awards $2.7M print, mail, and scan services contract to Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,725,801 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-07-23

End Date: 2026-01-22

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: JAMAICA PLAIN, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02130

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $2.7 million to IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC for work described as: PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. The contract duration of 183 days suggests a short-term need for these services. 3. Awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to administrative management and general management consulting services. 5. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.7 million for an 183-day period for print, mail, and scan services appears to be on the higher end for such a short duration. Without specific details on the volume of services required, it is difficult to benchmark the per-unit cost effectively. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. The lack of competition, as noted below, may have prevented a more thorough price discovery process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a delivery order under a non-competed contract vehicle. The specific reasons for not competing this delivery order are not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to higher prices than if the contract had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. This award mechanism bypasses the typical process where multiple vendors vie for the contract, which usually drives down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential print, mail, and scanning services. These services likely support administrative functions, communication with beneficiaries, and record management within the VA. The geographic impact is primarily within Massachusetts, where the contract is being performed. The contract may indirectly impact the workforce by requiring specific administrative and logistical support functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Short contract duration could indicate a temporary or urgent need, potentially masking underlying systemic issues.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical administrative services can pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the VA.
Awarded under an existing contract vehicle, potentially streamlining the procurement process.
The vendor, Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC, is an established entity, suggesting some level of operational capability.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611) encompasses a broad range of support functions for government agencies. This contract falls within the segment of services related to mailroom operations, document management, and communication. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency needs, but typically involves outsourcing non-core administrative tasks. Benchmarking is challenging without specific service volume data, but the value suggests a substantial operational requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not competed and does not specify any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award. Without further information on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, it's difficult to assess any indirect benefits to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and program management offices. As a delivery order under a larger contract, oversight might be integrated into the existing framework of that parent contract. Transparency is limited by the non-competed nature of the award, and specific accountability measures would depend on the terms outlined in the delivery order and the underlying contract.

Related Government Programs

VA Administrative Support Services
Government Mailroom Management
Document Scanning and Archiving
Public Affairs Communication Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
High Value for Short Duration
Potential Vendor Lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $2.7 million to IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC. PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IPSOS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, LLC.

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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-23. End: 2026-01-22.

What specific services are included under 'PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES' for this contract?

The provided data categorizes this contract under 'PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES' and assigns it the NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the exact scope is not detailed, these services typically encompass the printing of documents, processing and distribution of mail (incoming and outgoing), and the digitization of physical documents through scanning. This could include services like bulk mailings, secure document handling, mailroom operations, and digital archiving. The specific volume and types of print jobs, mail handled, and documents scanned would define the precise nature of the services delivered under this $2.7 million award.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The provided data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED' and awarded as a 'DELIVERY ORDER'. This indicates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) chose not to solicit bids from multiple vendors for this specific requirement. Common reasons for sole-source awards include situations where only one vendor possesses the necessary unique capabilities, or if there's an urgent need that cannot be met through a competitive process. However, without additional justification from the VA, the exact rationale for bypassing competition remains unclear. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best value and price.

How does the contract value of $2.7 million compare to similar services for the VA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $2.7 million contract value for 183 days of 'PRINT, MAIL AND SCAN SERVICES' is challenging without detailed service volume metrics. However, for a period of approximately six months, this value suggests a significant operational scale or a high per-unit cost. Federal agencies often spend millions on mailroom management, printing, and scanning services annually. For instance, other large agencies might have multi-year contracts in the tens of millions for comprehensive mailroom outsourcing. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition makes it difficult to ascertain if this represents a competitive market rate for the specific services rendered.

What is the track record of Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC in providing these types of services to the federal government?

Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC is a known entity, often associated with public opinion research, polling, and market research. While their core business may not be direct print, mail, and scan operations, they could be leveraging their administrative and project management expertise to fulfill this contract, potentially through subcontractors. Their track record with the federal government in administrative support services, particularly those involving physical mail and printing, would need further investigation beyond the provided data. The award as a delivery order under a potentially broader contract vehicle suggests they may have existing agreements with the government for related services.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for these essential administrative services?

The primary risk of a sole-source award for essential administrative services like printing, mailing, and scanning is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, the government may overpay for the services rendered. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially hindering flexibility and innovation. Furthermore, if Ipsos Public Affairs, LLC is not a specialist in these exact services and relies heavily on subcontractors, there could be risks related to performance management, quality control, and ensuring seamless service delivery across different entities.

How does the short duration (183 days) impact the assessment of this contract's value and purpose?

The short duration of 183 days (approximately six months) for a $2.7 million contract suggests a specific, potentially temporary, need for these print, mail, and scan services. This could be for a particular project, a transition period, or to address an immediate operational gap within the VA. It raises questions about whether this is a stop-gap measure or if it's intended to be a recurring short-term requirement. The high value for a short period necessitates a close examination of the service volume and intensity. It also implies that a longer-term, potentially more cost-effective solution might be sought after this period concludes, or that the VA anticipates a significant surge in these services.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 301 MERRITT 7, NORWALK, CT, 06851

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,725,801

Exercised Options: $2,725,801

Current Obligation: $2,725,801

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C24E20D0019

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline