NIH awards $3.88M for Strategic Communications and Media Relations via BPA Call to ICF Incorporated
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,880,675 ($3.9M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2022-06-03
End Date: 2023-09-02
Contract Duration: 456 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: OSPEEC BPA TASK AREA 1 ORDER TITLED "STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS"
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: OSPEEC BPA TASK AREA 1 ORDER TITLED "STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS" Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. The award was made under a full and open competition BPA. 4. This task order represents a small portion of the overall BPA potential. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $3.88 million award for a 15-month period appears reasonable for specialized strategic communications services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for media relations and public affairs consulting is necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The task order was awarded under a full and open competition Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential contractors to bid, leading to better price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential government communication functions, with competition expected to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures effective communication of NIH initiatives to the public and media. Supports public health messaging and crisis communication efforts. Enhances the agency's ability to manage its public image and reputation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Limited duration of the task order may require follow-on contracts.
- Specific performance metrics and deliverables need careful tracking.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a full and open competition BPA, indicating a competitive process.
- Focuses on critical strategic communications functions for a major health agency.
- Experienced contractor likely to deliver specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically management consulting. Spending in this sector often fluctuates based on agency needs for specialized expertise in areas like public relations and strategic planning. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this award was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is a large business. There is no information provided on small business subcontracting participation for this specific task order.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a BPA Call, suggesting that the underlying BPA has already undergone an oversight process. However, the specific task order's execution and adherence to the BPA's terms require ongoing monitoring by the NIH contracting officer.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- Potential for scope creep without strict management.
- Limited duration of the task order.
- No explicit small business set-aside mentioned.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. OSPEEC BPA TASK AREA 1 ORDER TITLED "STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS"
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-06-03. End: 2023-09-02.
What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategic communications and media relations services provided under this contract?
The effectiveness of the strategic communications and media relations services will likely be evaluated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitative measures could include media mentions, reach of press releases, website traffic driven by campaigns, and social media engagement. Qualitative assessments would involve analyzing the sentiment of media coverage, the clarity and accuracy of public messaging, and feedback from key stakeholders regarding the impact of communication efforts.
What are the potential risks associated with using a Time and Materials contract for strategic communications services, and how are they being mitigated?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs. For strategic communications, this could mean extended timelines or scope creep without clear cost ceilings. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing strong baseline estimates, setting clear ceilings on total contract value, defining specific deliverables and milestones, and implementing rigorous oversight to monitor hours and resource utilization closely.
How does this contract align with the NIH's broader communication goals and public health mission?
This contract directly supports the NIH's mission by ensuring effective dissemination of scientific findings, public health information, and agency initiatives to diverse audiences, including the media, public, and scientific community. Strong strategic communications are crucial for building public trust, promoting health behaviors, and communicating critical health updates, especially during public health emergencies. The services procured are essential for translating complex scientific information into accessible and impactful messages.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,880,675
Exercised Options: $3,880,675
Current Obligation: $3,880,675
Actual Outlays: $3,880,675
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $90,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN268201700014B
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-06-03
Current End Date: 2023-09-02
Potential End Date: 2024-03-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-13
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