DOT awards $2.18M for Public Roads Magazine support services to Schatz Publishing Group via BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,178,062 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Schatz Publishing Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-07-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,917 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS TIME AND MATERIALS (T&M) TASK ORDER IS ISSUED FOR "PUBLIC ROADS MAGAZINE SUPPORT SERVICES" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22101

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $2.2 million to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC for work described as: THIS TIME AND MATERIALS (T&M) TASK ORDER IS ISSUED FOR "PUBLIC ROADS MAGAZINE SUPPORT SERVICES" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT. Key points: 1. Spending of $2.18M over 5 years for magazine support services. 2. Contract awarded to Schatz Publishing Group, LLC. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Sector is advertising/publishing, with a NAICS code of 541810.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking T&M for similar services is difficult without detailed labor rates and hours.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call. This method generally allows for competitive pricing, but the T&M nature requires diligent oversight to ensure value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for magazine support services, with the cost effectiveness dependent on the value derived from the publication.

Public Impact

Public Roads Magazine is a key publication for the Federal Highway Administration, disseminating information on transportation research and best practices. The contract ensures continued operation and content creation for a publication that informs industry professionals and the public. The T&M structure necessitates close monitoring to prevent scope creep and ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Long duration (5 years)

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Established BPA Call

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the advertising and publishing sector, specifically supporting a government-run magazine. Spending benchmarks for similar government publications are not readily available, but T&M contracts require careful management regardless of sector.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials contract type requires robust oversight from the Federal Highway Administration to ensure that labor hours and costs are reasonable and directly related to the performance work statement. Regular reviews of invoices and progress reports are crucial.

Related Government Programs

Advertising Agencies
Department of Transportation Contracting
Federal Highway Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type may lead to cost overruns.
Lack of specific performance metrics for the magazine's impact.
No indication of small business participation.
Long contract duration without clear break clauses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $2.2 million to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. THIS TIME AND MATERIALS (T&M) TASK ORDER IS ISSUED FOR "PUBLIC ROADS MAGAZINE SUPPORT SERVICES" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ATTACHED PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Highway Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-07-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the estimated value of the services provided per year, and how does this compare to industry standards for similar publications?

The total contract value is $2,178,061.70 over approximately 5 years, averaging around $435,612 per year. Benchmarking this against private sector magazine production is challenging due to differing objectives (profit vs. public information) and the T&M structure. A detailed breakdown of labor categories and hours would be needed for a more precise comparison.

What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for magazine support services, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk is cost escalation due to undefined labor hours. Mitigation relies heavily on the agency's oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, validation of work performed against the PWS, and potentially establishing cost ceilings or fixed-price components for specific deliverables. Without strong oversight, costs can exceed expectations.

How effectively does Public Roads Magazine serve its intended audience and contribute to the Federal Highway Administration's mission?

The effectiveness is measured by the magazine's reach and impact in disseminating crucial information on transportation research, policy, and best practices to stakeholders. Its role in informing professionals and the public is vital for advancing the FHWA's mission. Quantifying this impact often involves readership surveys, website analytics, and anecdotal feedback from the transportation community.

Industry Classification

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

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $2,178,062

Exercised Options: $2,178,062

Current Obligation: $2,178,062

Actual Outlays: $1,822,304

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ320A000027

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline