Department of Transportation awards $44.17M for media support, with $28.76M obligated in FY13

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,306,119 ($44.3M)

Contractor: Charles Tombras Advertising, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2013-05-21

End Date: 2014-06-30

Contract Duration: 405 days

Daily Burn Rate: $109.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF TITLE: NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES THIS PROCUREMENT ALSO ADDS INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR TASK 0001. THE REVISED STATEMENT OF WORK IS ATTACHED. ESTIMATED BUDGET: $44,169,892.46 ESTIMATED FY 13: $28,760.500.00 ESTIMATED FY 14: $15,409,892.46 FUNDING CODES TASK ORDER 001 ARE: FUNCTIONAL AREAS - CEILING AMOUNT IS $1,695,853.38 FUNDED AMOUNT IS 644,500.00 80161313HS-2013-2002010000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$322,250.00 80161313HS-2013-2002040000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$322,250.00 TRAVEL - CEILING AMOUNT IS $84,065.00 FUNDED AMOUNT IS $15,500.00 80161313HS-2013-2002010000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000- $7,750.00 80161313HS-2013-2002040000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000- $7,750.00 MISCELLANEOUS DIRECT COST - CEILING AMOUNT IS $1,789,974.08 FUNDED AMOUNT IS $500,000.00 80161313HS-2013-2002010000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$220,000.00 80161313HS-2013-2002040000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$220,000.00 80161213HS-2013-2002040000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$60,000.00 STATUTORILY-MANDATED FUNDING - CEILING AMOUNT IS $39,000,000.00 FUNDED AMOUNT IS $6,143,300.00 18X9202009-2013-2402090000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000- $6,143,300.00 DISCRETIONARY ADVERTISING - CEILING AMOUNT IS $1,600,000.00 FUNDED AMOUNT IS $1,600,000.00 80201313GA-2013-5205750000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000- $1,600,000.00

Place of Performance

Location: KNOXVILLE, KNOX County, TENNESSEE, 37919, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $44.3 million to CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF TITLE: NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES THIS PROCUREMENT ALSO ADDS INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR TASK 0001. THE REVISED STATEMENT OF WORK IS ATTACHED. ESTIMATED BUDGET: $44,169,892.46 ESTIMATED FY 13: $28,760.500.00 ESTIMATED FY 14: $15… Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for national media and communications support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans over a year, indicating a need for sustained services. 4. The contract is for advertising agencies, a common service for government outreach. 5. Funding is allocated across functional areas, travel, and direct costs, showing structured financial planning.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total estimated value of $44.17 million for national and regional media and communications support services seems aligned with the scope of work. While specific benchmarks for this exact service are not provided, the funding allocation across different fiscal years and task orders suggests a planned and phased approach to expenditure. The contract type (Time and Materials) allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within the estimated ceiling.

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 a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of full and open competition generally promotes a healthy price discovery process and encourages competitive pricing among potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of this award, as it is intended to drive down costs and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment in media and communications services.

Public Impact

The public benefits from enhanced government communication and outreach campaigns facilitated by these services. Services delivered include national and regional media and communications support, crucial for public awareness initiatives. The geographic impact is national and regional, aiming to reach diverse populations across the United States. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities within the advertising and communications sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond the initial estimate.
Effectiveness of media campaigns may be difficult to measure directly against contract costs.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Clear allocation of funding across different cost categories.
Contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The advertising and public relations industry is a significant sector supporting government outreach and public information campaigns. This contract falls within the NAICS code 541810 (Advertising Agencies). Government spending in this area is crucial for disseminating information on public safety, transportation initiatives, and other vital services. Benchmarks for similar national media campaigns can vary widely based on reach and duration, but a $44 million contract suggests a substantial undertaking.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Transportation's contracting officers and program managers. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations into the contract's performance and financial management. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and spending breakdowns may require specific Freedom of Information Act requests.

Related Government Programs

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulations
Government Advertising and Public Relations Services
Department of Transportation Public Awareness Campaigns

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Limited information on small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $44.3 million to CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC.. IGF::CT::IGF TITLE: NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES THIS PROCUREMENT ALSO ADDS INCREMENTAL FUNDING FOR TASK 0001. THE REVISED STATEMENT OF WORK IS ATTACHED. ESTIMATED BUDGET: $44,169,892.46 ESTIMATED FY 13: $28,760.500.00 ESTIMATED FY 14: $15,409,892.46 FUNDING CODES TASK ORDER 001 ARE: FUNCTIONAL AREAS - CEILING AMOUNT IS $1,695,853.38 FUNDED AMOUNT IS 644,500.00 80161313HS-2013-2002010000-NPO5000000-25100-610066000-$322,250.00 80161313HS-2013-20020400

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-05-21. End: 2014-06-30.

What is the track record of CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC. with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of CHARLES TOMBRAS ADVERTISING, INC. with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, their selection for a contract of this magnitude by the Department of Transportation suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to handle large-scale media and communications projects. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, previous contract values, and client agencies would be required for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the estimated cost compare to similar government media support contracts?

Without specific details on the scope, duration, and deliverables of comparable contracts, a direct cost comparison is challenging. However, $44.17 million for national and regional media and communications support over approximately 13 months (May 2013 - June 2014) appears to be within a reasonable range for large-scale government campaigns. Factors influencing cost include media placement costs, creative development, market research, and campaign reach. The Department of Transportation's specific needs for safety campaigns or public information initiatives would dictate the ultimate value proposition.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials contract?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours and costs, plus a fixed fee or profit. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if oversight is weak. For this contract, risks include scope creep, inefficient use of labor hours, and unexpected increases in material costs. Robust monitoring of labor hours, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to the Statement of Work are crucial mitigation strategies.

How effective are government media campaigns typically in achieving their stated objectives?

The effectiveness of government media campaigns can vary significantly depending on factors such as campaign design, target audience, message clarity, media channel selection, and budget. Campaigns focused on public health (e.g., anti-smoking, vaccination drives) or safety (e.g., seatbelt use, distracted driving) have often demonstrated measurable positive impacts on public behavior and outcomes. However, attributing direct behavioral change solely to a media campaign can be complex, as multiple societal and individual factors are at play. Success is often measured through metrics like awareness levels, message recall, website traffic, and, where applicable, changes in reported behaviors or statistics.

What is the historical spending pattern for media and communications support by the Department of Transportation?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for media and communications support by the Department of Transportation (DOT), one would need to analyze contract data over multiple fiscal years. This would involve examining the total obligated amounts for similar services, the number and types of contracts awarded (e.g., full and open, sole source), the primary contractors utilized, and the specific programs or initiatives these services supported. Such an analysis would reveal trends in DOT's investment in public outreach and communications.

What specific communication objectives does this contract aim to achieve?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES' for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a part of the Department of Transportation. While the specific objectives are not detailed, NHTSA's mission typically involves reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. Therefore, this contract likely supports campaigns related to highway safety, such as promoting seatbelt use, combating drunk driving, preventing distracted driving, and raising awareness about other traffic safety issues. The goal would be to influence public behavior and improve road safety outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Advertising Agencies

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: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 630 CONCORD ST, KNOXVILLE, TN, 37919

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,371,233

Exercised Options: $45,371,233

Current Obligation: $44,306,119

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTNH2213D00280

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline