DOE's $6.88M Public Relations Contract Awarded to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. for Strategic Engagement Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,877,252 ($6.9M)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-11-14
End Date: 2025-11-14
Contract Duration: 731 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $6.9 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement and outreach, crucial for disseminating energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. 2. Awarded under a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework for services, potentially streamlining acquisition. 3. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny for cost control and efficient resource utilization. 4. Competition dynamics are favorable, with 5 bidders indicating a healthy market for these specialized services. 5. The contract duration of 731 days provides a stable period for achieving outreach objectives. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. aligns with federal agency proximity and policy engagement.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.88 million over two years for public relations support appears reasonable given the scope of strategic engagement and outreach for a major federal agency like the Department of Energy. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for public relations and strategic communications services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while common, necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered and to prevent scope creep.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating that the underlying BPA was likely established through a competitive process. The presence of 5 bidders for this specific call suggests a robust level of competition for these specialized public relations and strategic engagement services. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, with multiple bidders vying for the contract, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs and ensured the government received competitive pricing for essential outreach services.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its initiatives, which will receive enhanced public engagement and communication. Services delivered include strategic engagement and outreach support, aiming to inform the public and stakeholders about energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., facilitating direct engagement with policymakers, media, and key organizations. Workforce implications are indirect, primarily supporting the agency's mission rather than directly creating new federal jobs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, as it directly reimburses labor hours and material costs.
- Reliance on a single contractor for strategic engagement could lead to a potential loss of institutional knowledge if not managed with knowledge transfer provisions.
- The effectiveness of public relations campaigns can be difficult to quantify, posing a challenge for performance measurement and value assessment.
Positive Signals
- The contract was awarded through a competitive process with 5 bidders, indicating a healthy market and potentially good value.
- The BPA Call mechanism suggests a pre-vetted and potentially efficient procurement process.
- The contract duration of over two years provides stability for executing long-term strategic outreach goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically public relations and strategic communications. The market for these services is diverse, encompassing numerous firms ranging from small boutiques to large multinational agencies. Federal spending in this area supports agency missions by enhancing public understanding, disseminating information, and managing stakeholder relations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar public affairs and communications support across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation are dependent on the prime contractor's subcontracting strategy, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and the Office of the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS). Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract's Statement of Work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Public Relations Services
- Strategic Communications Support
- Government Outreach Programs
- Energy Policy Dissemination
- Renewable Energy Public Awareness Campaigns
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Difficulty in quantifying the direct impact and ROI of public relations efforts.
- Reliance on contractor for critical strategic messaging and public perception.
Tags
department-of-energy, office-of-energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy, public-relations, strategic-communications, outreach-support, competed, bpa-call, time-and-materials, washington-dc, professional-services, federal-contract, rack-wildner-reese-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $6.9 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES
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 $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-14. End: 2025-11-14.
What is the track record of Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for the Department of Energy?
A thorough review of federal procurement databases (e.g., FPDS, SAM.gov) would be necessary to assess Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.'s track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. For this specific contract, understanding their experience with similar agencies or programs related to energy efficiency and renewable energy would be particularly relevant. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget performance on comparable federal contracts would indicate a lower performance risk. Conversely, a pattern of issues could raise concerns about their capacity to meet the current contract's objectives effectively.
How does the awarded amount of $6.88 million compare to similar public relations contracts awarded by federal agencies?
To benchmark this $6.88 million contract, one would compare it against other federal awards for public relations, strategic communications, and outreach support services. Key comparison points include contract duration, scope of work, agency size, and the specific services rendered (e.g., media relations, digital engagement, public affairs). For instance, contracts for large-scale public awareness campaigns or crisis communications support might be higher, while smaller, more focused efforts would be lower. The number of bidders and the contract type (e.g., T&M vs. Firm-Fixed-Price) also influence cost. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this award represents excellent or questionable value, but the competitive bidding process suggests a reasonable market price was sought.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for public relations services, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with a T&M contract for public relations is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not tightly defined or if contractor effort is inefficiently managed. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred. This can lead to unpredictable expenditures and potentially less incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency. Mitigation strategies include robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, clear definition of deliverables, and regular performance reviews. The government contracting officer must actively manage the contract, ensuring that the work performed aligns with the needs and that billing is accurate and justified. Setting ceiling prices on T&M contracts is also a common practice to cap potential government liability.
How effective are public relations and strategic engagement efforts typically measured within federal contracts, and what metrics might apply here?
Measuring the effectiveness of public relations and strategic engagement in federal contracts can be challenging due to the intangible nature of communication outcomes. Common metrics include media impressions (number of times a message is seen or heard), message pull-through (how accurately the intended message is conveyed), website traffic and engagement, social media reach and interaction rates, attendance at events, and stakeholder feedback surveys. For this DOE contract, effectiveness could be measured by the increased public awareness of EERE initiatives, positive media coverage, engagement levels on DOE's digital platforms, and feedback from targeted stakeholder groups. Performance work statements (PWS) should clearly define these metrics and the methods for tracking and reporting them.
What is the historical spending pattern for public relations and strategic outreach support by the Department of Energy or similar agencies?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for public relations and strategic outreach by the DOE and comparable agencies (e.g., EPA, DOI) would provide context for the $6.88 million award. This involves examining annual budgets allocated to communications, the number and value of contracts awarded in this category over several fiscal years, and the primary contractors utilized. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate shifts in agency priorities or budget constraints. Understanding this historical context helps determine if the current contract represents a typical investment or a notable deviation, potentially signaling new program emphasis or efficiency drives.
What is the significance of this contract being awarded under a BPA Call, and how does it impact the acquisition process and potential value?
Awarding this contract under a BPA Call signifies that the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) was previously established, likely through a full and open competition. A BPA is a simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. Using a BPA Call means that the specific requirements of this contract were met by one of the pre-approved vendors under that BPA. This method generally streamlines the acquisition process, reducing lead time and administrative burden compared to a new, standalone solicitation. It can also lead to better pricing if the BPA itself was negotiated competitively, leveraging bulk purchasing power. The competition for this specific call (5 bidders) indicates that even within the BPA framework, further competition occurred, ensuring value.
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: 5
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: $6,877,252
Exercised Options: $6,877,252
Current Obligation: $6,877,252
Actual Outlays: $6,877,252
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-14
Current End Date: 2025-11-14
Potential End Date: 2025-11-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-05
More Contracts from 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) — $4.6M (Department of Energy)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (eere), Strategic Engagement and Outreach Support Services (seoss) for Water Power Technologies Office (wpto) — $3.8M (Department of Energy)
- Order for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (cmei), Strategic Engagement and Outreach Support Services (seoss), Office of Electricity — $2.4M (Department of Energy)
- Order for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (cmei), Strategic Engagement and Outreach Support Services (seoss), Office of the Under Secretary for Science — $1.9M (Department of Energy)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Eere, Strategic Engagement and Outreach Support Services (seoss) for Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) — $1.5M (Department of Energy)
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)