HHS awards $143.8M for public education campaign support, with Fors Marsh Group as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $143,772,270 ($143.8M)

Contractor: Fors Marsh Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-04-15

End Date: 2025-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $395.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TORP 2101, PAN RESPIRATORY VIRUS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $143.8 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC for work described as: TORP 2101, PAN RESPIRATORY VIRUS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in public health communication. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Performance period of one year indicates a focused, short-term objective for the campaign. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 511199 suggests services related to publishing and information dissemination. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed carefully. 6. The award amount is substantial, necessitating close monitoring of performance and value. 7. The geographic location of the awardee in Virginia may have implications for local economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $143.8 million for a one-year contract is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar public health communication campaigns is challenging without more specific service details. The Time and Materials contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored. The value for money will depend heavily on the effectiveness and reach of the public education campaign itself, which is not directly quantifiable from the award data alone. The contractor's track record and the specific deliverables will be key to assessing true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically leads to a more competitive environment, potentially driving down prices and improving the quality of services offered. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these types of services. The agency likely received multiple proposals, allowing for a thorough evaluation and selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and a wider array of innovative solutions being considered. This process aims to ensure that the government secures the best value for public funds by leveraging market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public, who will receive information and education through the supported campaign. Services delivered likely include campaign strategy, content development, media placement, and performance monitoring. The geographic impact is potentially nationwide, depending on the scope and reach of the public education campaign. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities within the contractor's organization and potentially in related media and communication industries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost escalation if not tightly managed.
The large award amount necessitates robust oversight to ensure funds are used effectively.
Public education campaigns can be complex to measure for direct impact and ROI.
Dependence on a single contractor for a large-scale campaign may present risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The contractor, Fors Marsh Group LLC, is established and likely has relevant experience.
The contract supports a critical public health initiative, aligning with government priorities.
The defined performance period allows for focused execution and evaluation.

Sector Analysis

The public health communication sector is a vital component of government outreach, particularly for agencies like HHS. This contract falls under the broader 'Information Services' or 'Advertising and Public Relations' industry segments. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of developing and executing large-scale public awareness campaigns. The award amount of $143.8 million positions this as a major campaign, likely requiring significant media buys and extensive content creation, placing it among larger government contracts in this space.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, it is unlikely that small businesses were specifically targeted for this prime contract. However, the prime contractor, Fors Marsh Group LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, depending on their subcontracting plans and the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the awarding agency. Mechanisms likely include regular progress reports from the contractor, performance reviews, and potentially site visits or audits. The contract type (Time and Materials) necessitates close financial oversight to ensure costs remain within budget and are justified by work performed. Transparency will depend on the agency's reporting practices regarding campaign progress and outcomes.

Related Government Programs

Public Health Campaigns
Health Communication Services
National Health Initiatives
Public Education Programs
Government Advertising Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure campaign effectiveness.
Concentration of risk with a single prime contractor.
Complexity in measuring the direct impact and ROI of public education campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $143.8 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC. TORP 2101, PAN RESPIRATORY VIRUS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORS MARSH GROUP LLC.

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 $143.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-15. End: 2025-04-14.

What is the specific nature of the 'Public Education Campaign Support Services' being procured?

The contract, TORP 2101, focuses on 'PAN RESPIRATORY VIRUS PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN SUPPORT SERVICES.' While the specific respiratory virus is not detailed in the award data, the services likely encompass a broad range of activities essential for a public health campaign. This typically includes strategic planning, message development, creative content production (e.g., videos, graphics, web content), media planning and buying across various platforms (digital, broadcast, print), public relations outreach, stakeholder engagement, and performance monitoring and evaluation. The goal is to disseminate accurate information, promote preventative behaviors, and encourage appropriate actions related to respiratory viruses among the general public.

How does the $143.8 million award compare to typical spending on similar public health campaigns?

An award of $143.8 million for a one-year public health campaign is substantial, indicating a large-scale, potentially national initiative. While exact comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific virus or the campaign's scope, major public health campaigns funded by agencies like HHS can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, campaigns related to major health crises (like pandemics) or broad public health issues (like smoking cessation or obesity) often command significant budgets. This award suggests a high priority placed on addressing the targeted respiratory virus, requiring extensive outreach and resources.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a $143.8 million Time and Materials (T&M) contract are cost control and potential overruns. In a T&M structure, the government pays the contractor for the actual labor hours and the cost of materials used. Without stringent oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and clear performance metrics, there's a risk that costs could escalate beyond initial projections. Scope creep, inefficient labor utilization, or inflated material costs can significantly increase the final price. For the government, this necessitates robust monitoring of hours billed, justification of expenses, and effective project management to ensure value for money and prevent uncontrolled spending.

What is Fors Marsh Group LLC's track record with large federal contracts, particularly in health communication?

Fors Marsh Group LLC has a history of securing and performing on federal contracts. While the provided data doesn't detail their specific past performance on health communication campaigns of this scale, their presence as a prime contractor on a $143.8 million award suggests they possess the necessary capabilities and experience. Federal contractors often specialize in certain areas, and winning such a significant contract implies they have demonstrated competence in areas like research, strategy, communication, and program support to agencies like HHS. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and client testimonials would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their track record.

What are the potential implications of awarding this contract to a single entity for a year?

Awarding this $143.8 million contract to a single entity, Fors Marsh Group LLC, for a one-year period implies a need for a cohesive and integrated approach to the public education campaign. This allows for streamlined management, consistent messaging, and potentially faster execution. However, it also concentrates risk. If the contractor underperforms, faces internal issues, or fails to meet objectives, the entire campaign's success could be jeopardized. The agency's oversight and performance management will be critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the campaign objectives are met effectively within the year.

How might the 'All Other Publishers' NAICS code (511199) relate to public health education services?

The NAICS code 511199, 'All Other Publishers,' might seem unconventional for a public health campaign support service at first glance. However, it can encompass entities that compile and disseminate information in various formats, which aligns with campaign needs. This could include publishing educational materials, creating and managing websites, developing digital content, and distributing information through various channels. Essentially, the contractor acts as a publisher of public health information, coordinating the creation, packaging, and dissemination of campaign content across multiple media platforms, fitting within the broader definition of publishing services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1010 N. GLEBE RD, STE 510, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $143,772,270

Exercised Options: $143,772,270

Current Obligation: $143,772,270

Actual Outlays: $142,442,514

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98019D00007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline