VA awards $29K parking services contract to SP PLUS LLC for St. Louis VAMC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,201 ($29.2K)

Contractor: SP Plus LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2025-09-22

End Date: 2026-09-21

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $80/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ORDER PERIOD 1 - PARKING SERVICES FOR ST. LOUIS VAMC - JC 9/22/25 - 9/21/26

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS CITY County, MISSOURI, 63106

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $29,201.04 to SP PLUS LLC for work described as: ORDER PERIOD 1 - PARKING SERVICES FOR ST. LOUIS VAMC - JC 9/22/25 - 9/21/26 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost savings. 2. The contract duration is one year, with a fixed-price structure. 3. The service category is parking lot and garage operations. 4. The award is a delivery order under an unspecified contract. 5. The geographic location is St. Louis, Missouri.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $29,201.04 for one year of parking services appears to be a standard operational cost for a facility like the St. Louis VAMC. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. Similar contracts for parking management at other VA facilities or government buildings could provide a better comparison, but this information is not readily available. The fixed-price nature of the contract offers some cost certainty, but the lack of competition prevents an assessment of whether this price is the most advantageous.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source or limited competition basis. The data provided states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which strongly suggests a non-competitive award. Without details on the specific justification for not competing, it's impossible to determine the number of bidders or the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a bidding process.

Public Impact

Veterans and staff at the St. Louis VAMC will have access to managed parking services. The contract supports the operational needs of a key healthcare facility. The services are geographically focused on St. Louis, Missouri. The contract supports the employment of personnel for parking management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Absence of a competitive process limits transparency in pricing.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a recurring sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the duration.
Ensures essential parking services are available for the VAMC.

Sector Analysis

The parking services sector is a mature industry providing essential support functions for various institutions, including government facilities. The market size for parking management services is substantial, driven by the need for efficient traffic flow, security, and revenue collection. This contract fits within the broader facilities management and support services sector for government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the scope of services and facility size.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not competed under SAP and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this award. There is no information available regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses under this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Veterans Affairs' contracting and procurement divisions. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver services at the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

VA Facilities Management Contracts
Government Parking Services
Commercial Parking Management

Risk Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of transparency in pricing justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $29,201.04 to SP PLUS LLC. ORDER PERIOD 1 - PARKING SERVICES FOR ST. LOUIS VAMC - JC 9/22/25 - 9/21/26

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SP PLUS 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 $29,201.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-22. End: 2026-09-21.

What is the track record of SP PLUS LLC with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Information regarding SP PLUS LLC's specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a provider of parking management services, SP PLUS LLC likely has experience with various government and commercial entities. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, including any past performance evaluations, awards, or disputes with the VA or other federal agencies. A review of contract databases and performance assessment systems would be necessary to determine their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms in previous engagements.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar parking services contracts awarded by the VA?

Direct comparison of this contract's pricing to similar VA parking services contracts is challenging without more data. The contract value is $29,201.04 for a one-year period. To benchmark effectively, we would need to identify other VA contracts for parking management at facilities of comparable size and operational complexity. Key comparison points would include the price per parking space, the scope of services (e.g., valet, self-park, security, maintenance), and the contract duration. The absence of competition for this specific award limits our ability to ascertain if this price represents optimal value for the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this non-competitively awarded contract?

The primary risk associated with this non-competitively awarded contract is the potential for inflated pricing. When a contract is not subjected to a competitive bidding process, there is a reduced incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. This can lead to the government paying more than necessary for the services. Another risk is the lack of transparency in the pricing structure and the justification for the award. Furthermore, if this is a recurring sole-source award, it could indicate a lack of market research or a failure to explore alternative solutions that might offer better value or performance.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money in this scenario?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in providing cost certainty for the government, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. For a service like parking management, where the scope of work is relatively well-defined, an FFP contract can be appropriate. It ensures that the VA pays a set amount for the specified services throughout the contract period. However, the effectiveness in ensuring value for money is significantly diminished when the contract is awarded non-competitively. While the price is fixed, it may not be the most competitive price achievable. Therefore, while FFP provides cost predictability, the lack of competition undermines its ability to guarantee the best possible value.

What is the historical spending pattern for parking services at the St. Louis VAMC?

Historical spending patterns for parking services at the St. Louis VAMC are not provided in the current data. To analyze this, one would need to access historical contract awards for parking management at this specific facility. Examining past contracts, including their values, durations, and whether they were competitively or non-competitively awarded, would reveal trends in spending. Understanding this history is crucial for assessing whether the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure for these services and for identifying any patterns of sole-source awards over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Other Personal Services › Parking Lots and Garages

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SP Plus Corporation

Address: 501 SANTA MONICA BLVD STE 200, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90401

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,668

Exercised Options: $29,201

Current Obligation: $29,201

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C25525D0095

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline