DOE's $4.5M EERE Contract for Building Tech Outreach Awarded to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,575,315 ($4.6M)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-11-22
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,104 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.1K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (BTO)
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15203
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $4.6 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (BTO) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement and outreach for the Building Technologies Office. 2. The awardee, Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc., specializes in public relations. 3. This is a time and materials contract, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The contract duration is 1104 days, ending in November 2026.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials (T&M) type, which can be less predictable in final cost compared to fixed-price contracts. Without detailed hourly rates and estimated hours, a direct pricing comparison is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and awarded via a BPA Call. While competed, SAP and BPA calls may not always achieve the same level of price competition as larger, full-and-open solicitations.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of T&M pricing and limited competition under SAP could result in higher costs for taxpayers than a more competitive, fixed-price contract.
Public Impact
Enhances public understanding and engagement with the DOE's Building Technologies Office initiatives. Supports the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in buildings. Aims to foster broader adoption of sustainable building practices.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure
- Limited competition under SAP
Positive Signals
- Supports critical energy efficiency initiatives
- Clear outreach objectives
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically public relations agencies. Spending in this area supports government communication and outreach efforts. Benchmarks for similar contracts would depend on the scope and duration of services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials aspect, ensuring efficient use of resources and preventing cost creep. The agency's procurement history and contract management practices will be key indicators of accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Public Relations Agencies
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Limited competition may not ensure best value.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years.
Tags
public-relations-agencies, department-of-energy, pa, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $4.6 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (BTO)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-22. End: 2026-11-30.
What is the estimated total cost if the contract is fully utilized under the T&M structure?
The provided data shows an award amount of $4,575,315.06, which represents the ceiling or estimated value for this Time and Materials contract. The actual cost will depend on the hours worked by the contractor and their specified hourly rates. Without those details, the final expenditure could be higher or lower than this estimate, necessitating close monitoring by the DOE.
What are the specific risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for public relations services?
The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the final price is not fixed. For public relations, this could manifest as extended campaign durations or less efficient task execution if not tightly managed. It shifts the cost risk from the contractor to the government, requiring robust oversight to ensure value for money.
How effectively will this contract support the BTO's mission given the limited competition?
While the contract was competed under SAP, the limited competition may not have yielded the most cost-effective solution. However, if Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. possesses specialized expertise crucial for the BTO's outreach goals, the limited competition might be justified. The effectiveness will ultimately depend on the quality of the outreach delivered and its impact on public engagement with BTO programs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2325 E CARSON ST FL 2, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,555,267
Exercised Options: $6,555,267
Current Obligation: $4,575,315
Actual Outlays: $3,868,179
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $425,577
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-22
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-25
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