GSA awards $6.5M strategic communication services contract to Schatz Publishing Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,524,750 ($6.5M)

Contractor: Schatz Publishing Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-08-24

End Date: 2026-08-23

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: GNMA STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION SERVICES STRATCOMM AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: BLACKWELL, KAY County, OKLAHOMA, 74631

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6.5 million to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC for work described as: GNMA STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION SERVICES STRATCOMM AWARD Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract duration of 1460 days (4 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contractor, Schatz Publishing Group, LLC, has a presence in Oklahoma. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541810 points to advertising agency services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $6.5 million contract for strategic communication services is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the award amount over four years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.63 million. This figure needs to be compared against the scope and quality of services provided. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty, but the overall value proposition depends on the effectiveness of the communication strategies employed by Schatz Publishing Group, LLC.

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 presence of 3 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair market value, the number of bidders can influence the intensity of that competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better quality services. The fact that multiple companies vied for this contract suggests that taxpayer dollars are being used in a manner that seeks to achieve the best possible outcome.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies requiring strategic communication and advertising support. Services delivered likely include campaign development, media planning, content creation, and public relations. The geographic impact is primarily tied to the agency utilizing these services, with potential for national reach. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities within Schatz Publishing Group, LLC and its potential subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if deliverables are not clearly defined within the delivery order.
Reliance on a single contractor for strategic communication could limit diverse perspectives if not managed well.
Effectiveness of communication campaigns is subjective and difficult to measure precisely, posing a performance risk.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contract duration allows for consistent strategic planning and execution over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The advertising and public relations industry is a significant sector within the broader professional services market. Federal agencies frequently contract for these services to manage public perception, disseminate information, and execute outreach campaigns. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on agency priorities and public affairs needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar strategic communication and advertising services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the awardee is not a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited unless specific subcontracting opportunities arise organically from the awarded work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics and internal communication strategies may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Strategic Communication Services
Advertising and Public Relations Contracts
GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope impacting campaign effectiveness.
Reliance on contractor's subjective assessment of communication success.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics without further data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6.5 million to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. GNMA STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION SERVICES STRATCOMM AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-24. End: 2026-08-23.

What is the track record of Schatz Publishing Group, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for strategic communication services?

Information regarding Schatz Publishing Group, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially for strategic communication services, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this specific award. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to provide a detailed analysis of their past performance.

How does the awarded amount of $6.5 million compare to similar strategic communication contracts awarded by GSA or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $6.5 million award to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements for strategic communication services. The average annual spend of approximately $1.63 million for this contract needs to be benchmarked against contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity. Factors such as the specific services required (e.g., digital campaigns, traditional media, crisis communication), the size and complexity of the target audience, and the geographic reach of the campaigns would influence comparability. Without such comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state whether this award represents a particularly high, low, or average value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this strategic communication contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will be used to evaluate the success of this strategic communication contract. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs might include measures of campaign reach, engagement rates, message recall, public sentiment shifts, website traffic, media mentions, or achievement of specific communication objectives set by the agency. The firm fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is expected to deliver defined outcomes, but the precise definition and measurement of these outcomes are crucial for assessing performance and value for money.

What is the potential risk associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this strategic communication service?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally aims to mitigate cost risk for the government by establishing a ceiling price. For strategic communication services, the primary risk associated with FFP lies in defining the scope of work precisely. If the scope is too narrowly defined, the contractor may be unwilling or unable to adapt to evolving communication needs, potentially limiting the effectiveness of campaigns. Conversely, if the scope is too broad or vague, it could lead to disputes or the contractor delivering minimal effort to meet the defined terms. Ensuring clear, measurable deliverables and performance standards is key to managing FFP risks in this context.

How does the competition level (3 bidders) for this delivery order impact the potential value for taxpayers?

A competition level of 3 bidders for this delivery order suggests a moderate level of interest and engagement from potential contractors. While more bidders generally lead to more intense price competition, three bidders still provide a basis for price discovery and comparison. This level of competition is likely sufficient to prevent excessively high pricing, but it may not represent the most aggressive pricing achievable if there had been a larger pool of interested and capable firms. Taxpayers benefit from this competition by having multiple proposals evaluated, allowing the agency to select a contractor that offers a balance of price and perceived value.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFDA21Q0099

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11950 W HIGHLAND AVE, BLACKWELL, OK, 74631

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,291,825

Exercised Options: $6,524,750

Current Obligation: $6,524,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0137R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline