DOT Awards $26.9M for Rail-Grade Crossing Safety Campaign Under Existing Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,945,873 ($26.9M)

Contractor: Stratacomm, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2019-09-24

End Date: 2025-08-13

Contract Duration: 2,150 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Transportation

Official Description: TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACTION: ISSUE A TASK ORDER UNDER 693JJ919D000003 TO CONTINUE A NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE DRIVERS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH RAIL-GRADE CROSSINGS. TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIG

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $26.9 million to STRATACOMM, LLC for work described as: TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACTION: ISSUE A TASK ORDER UNDER 693JJ919D000003 TO CONTINUE A NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE DRIVERS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH RAIL-GRADE CROSSINGS. TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIG Key points: 1. Spending focuses on public safety education for a critical infrastructure risk. 2. Competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific justification for the approach. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, indicating potential for follow-on work. 4. The sector is transportation safety, a recurring area of public spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar media campaigns would be necessary for a precise pricing assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This specific designation implies a competitive process but with a defined set of eligible bidders, potentially impacting price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are allocated to a national safety campaign aimed at reducing accidents and fatalities, offering a potential long-term cost saving through accident prevention.

Public Impact

Aims to reduce accidents and fatalities at rail-grade crossings nationwide. Utilizes media to educate drivers on the significant dangers of these crossings. Addresses a persistent public safety concern within the transportation sector. The campaign's effectiveness will be measured by changes in driver behavior and accident statistics.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring.
Specific competition exclusion may warrant further review.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) for a media campaign.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical public safety issue.
National scope for broad impact.
Leverages existing contract vehicle for efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the advertising and public relations sector, specifically for a government-mandated safety campaign. Spending benchmarks for similar national public awareness campaigns vary widely but are often in the tens of millions for multi-year efforts.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The prime contractor, STRATACOMM, LLC, is listed, but its size status is not provided. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The task order is issued under an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting some level of pre-qualification and oversight. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep.

Related Government Programs

Advertising Agencies
Department of Transportation Contracting
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
Lack of clarity on specific performance metrics.
Justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' needs further examination.
Long duration of the delivery order.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $26.9 million to STRATACOMM, LLC. TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIGN ACTION: ISSUE A TASK ORDER UNDER 693JJ919D000003 TO CONTINUE A NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE DRIVERS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH RAIL-GRADE CROSSINGS. TITLE: RAIL-GRADE CROSSING MEDIA CAMPAIG

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STRATACOMM, LLC.

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 $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-24. End: 2025-08-13.

What specific metrics are used to measure the effectiveness of this media campaign in reducing rail-grade crossing incidents?

The effectiveness of the campaign is typically measured through a combination of metrics. These can include tracking changes in driver behavior through observational studies, monitoring public awareness and recall of campaign messages via surveys, and, most importantly, analyzing trends in rail-grade crossing accidents, injuries, and fatalities over time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) likely has established protocols for evaluating such safety initiatives.

What was the justification for excluding other sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

The justification for excluding other sources under this contract type typically relates to specific technical requirements, unique capabilities, or the need to leverage an existing, successful contract vehicle. For a media campaign, it might involve a contractor with proven expertise in developing and executing similar national safety initiatives, or a requirement to maintain continuity with previously developed messaging and branding to ensure campaign coherence and impact.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the government's ability to control costs for this ongoing media campaign?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While the fee is fixed, the total cost can fluctuate based on actual expenses. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent unnecessary expenditures. Without diligent monitoring, CPFF contracts can be susceptible to cost overruns compared to fixed-price arrangements.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 693JJ919R000067

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1200 G ST NW STE 350, WASHINGTON, DC, 20005

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,945,873

Exercised Options: $26,945,873

Current Obligation: $26,945,873

Actual Outlays: $26,945,873

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ919D000003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline