Labor awards $11.4M for strategic communications, with MP&F, LLC securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,433,537 ($11.4M)

Contractor: MP&F, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2024-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OJC STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37203

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $11.4 million to MP&F, LLC for work described as: OJC STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.4 million over two years suggests a significant investment in strategic communications. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a potentially robust bidding process. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 4. The award was made to MP&F, LLC, a single entity, highlighting the need to assess their capacity and past performance. 5. The duration of 729 days (approximately 2 years) allows for sustained support but requires ongoing performance monitoring. 6. The geographic location of the contractor in Tennessee may have implications for on-site support or local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more detailed information on the specific services rendered. However, an $11.4 million award for two years of strategic communications and marketing support is substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar scope and scale within the federal government, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure introduces a degree of uncertainty regarding the final cost, as it is dependent on actual labor hours and rates incurred.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple interested parties had the opportunity to bid. The data indicates four bids were received. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. However, the specific details of the solicitation and evaluation process would be needed to fully understand the dynamics and whether the competition effectively drove down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, with four bidders, suggests that taxpayers benefit from a process designed to solicit competitive pricing and potentially identify the most cost-effective solution for the government's strategic communications needs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, which will receive enhanced strategic communications and marketing support. Services delivered likely include public relations, media outreach, strategic planning, content creation, and campaign management to support the agency's mission. The geographic impact is primarily national, as the Department of Labor serves the entire United States, though specific campaigns might target certain regions. Workforce implications could include support for internal communications, employee engagement, and potentially the need for specialized communication skills within the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Assessing the true value for money requires detailed service delivery metrics and performance evaluations.
The reliance on a single contractor for strategic communications necessitates robust oversight to ensure alignment with agency goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and accessible bidding process.
The contract duration allows for sustained strategic support, potentially leading to more effective long-term communication strategies.
The contractor, MP&F, LLC, will provide specialized expertise in public relations agencies.

Sector Analysis

The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) encompasses firms specializing in developing, creating, and implementing public relations programs. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal spending in this sector supports various agencies' needs for public outreach, crisis communication, and strategic messaging. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar communication support services across different agencies and departments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications related to small business set-asides for this specific award. The primary focus of subcontracting, if any, would be determined by the prime contractor's business practices and their need for specialized support services beyond their internal capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Labor's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts for professional services
Department of Defense public affairs and communication support contracts
Other agency-specific strategic communication and marketing support contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Reliance on a single contractor necessitates strong oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $11.4 million to MP&F, LLC. OJC STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MP&F, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of MP&F, LLC in performing federal government contracts, particularly in strategic communications?

Assessing the track record of MP&F, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any documented issues or successes. Without specific data on their federal performance history, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise in delivering services to government agencies. A thorough analysis would look for consistency in performance, adherence to timelines and budgets, and client satisfaction feedback from prior federal engagements.

How does the $11.4 million contract value compare to similar strategic communications contracts awarded by the Department of Labor or other federal agencies?

To benchmark the $11.4 million contract value, one would need to compare it against similar strategic communications and public relations contracts awarded by the Department of Labor and other federal agencies over comparable timeframes (e.g., two-year periods). Factors such as the scope of services, deliverables, geographic reach, and the specific agency's needs would need to be considered for a fair comparison. A higher or lower value relative to benchmarks could indicate potential overpricing, under-resourcing, or a particularly complex or straightforward requirement. Access to detailed contract data and market research reports would be essential for this analysis.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for strategic communications services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for strategic communications services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may incur more labor hours or material costs than anticipated, leading to a final cost that exceeds initial estimates or budget allocations. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear task definitions are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What specific performance metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of MP&F, LLC's strategic communications support?

The specific performance metrics for evaluating MP&F, LLC's strategic communications support would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). These metrics typically align with the agency's communication objectives and could include measures such as media impressions, reach and engagement rates on social media platforms, website traffic driven by campaigns, successful placement of key messages in target media outlets, public awareness survey results, and timely delivery of communication materials. The effectiveness of the contractor will be judged against these pre-defined, measurable outcomes.

What is the historical spending trend for strategic communications and public relations services within the Department of Labor?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for strategic communications and public relations services within the Department of Labor would involve reviewing contract awards data over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending in this category has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and identify the primary contractors and types of services procured. Understanding these trends can provide context for the current $11.4 million award, indicating if it represents a typical investment or a significant shift in the department's communication strategy and resource allocation.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1605C2-24-Q-00025

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 611 COMMERCE ST, NASHVILLE, TN, 37203

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,232,646

Exercised Options: $12,086,790

Current Obligation: $11,433,537

Actual Outlays: $9,463,686

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00DV

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline