DOE's $975K contract for sustainable transportation communications awarded to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $975,510 ($975.5K)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/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), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR THE DAS OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND FUELS OFFICE - COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS SUPPORT FOR THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND SU
Place of Performance
Location: GOLDEN, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80401
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $975,510 to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR THE DAS OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND FUELS OFFICE - COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS SUPPORT FOR THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND SU Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement and outreach support for sustainable transportation and fuels. 2. The award value of $975,510 is for a 2-year period. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. Competition was under SAP, suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 5. The contractor, Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc., is a Public Relations Agency. 6. The contract is managed by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award value of $975,510 for a 2-year duration appears reasonable for specialized communications support. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type warrants close monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial projections. Benchmarking against similar public relations support contracts within the federal government would provide a clearer picture of value for money, but specific comparable data is not readily available in this context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a broader outreach to potential vendors than sole-source but may not reach the full spectrum of the market. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is designed to encourage competition for procurements below certain thresholds. The specific competition dynamics under SAP can vary, but it generally aims for fair opportunity.
Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing while maintaining efficiency. The level of competition, while not explicitly detailed, is expected to provide a reasonable price for taxpayers within the scope of this procurement.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Energy's sustainable transportation and fuels initiatives. The contract will deliver strategic engagement and outreach support, enhancing public awareness and understanding. Services include communications projects to support the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation and Fuels Office. The geographic impact is national, focusing on federal initiatives and public engagement across the U.S. Workforce implications are primarily for the contractor's staff, with potential indirect impacts on DOE communications teams.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
- Limited competition details under SAP make it difficult to fully assess price discovery.
- The specific deliverables and success metrics for 'communications projects' need clear definition to ensure accountability.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a specialized Public Relations Agency, indicating relevant expertise.
- Supports critical DOE initiatives in sustainable transportation and fuels.
- Contract duration of 2 years allows for sustained support and relationship building.
Sector Analysis
The federal government frequently procures public relations and strategic communications services to support its various initiatives and agencies. This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically public relations. The market for these services is diverse, ranging from small specialized firms to large multinational corporations. The Department of Energy's need for outreach on sustainable transportation aligns with broader federal goals to promote clean energy and reduce emissions, making this a strategic investment in public engagement.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact is on larger firms or those that can compete effectively under SAP. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, suggesting that the focus is on the prime contractor's capabilities. This contract does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the EERE's Strategic Engagement and Outreach. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates robust oversight to track labor hours and costs against the award ceiling. Transparency will depend on DOE's internal reporting and any public disclosures related to contract performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Communications Support
- EERE Outreach and Engagement
- Sustainable Transportation Public Awareness Campaigns
- Federal Public Relations Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
- Limited visibility into the specific number of bidders under SAP.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure accountability.
Tags
department-of-energy, eere, strategic-engagement, outreach-support, communications, sustainable-transportation, fuels-office, public-relations, time-and-materials, competed-under-sap, rack-wildner-reese-inc, colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $975,510 to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR THE DAS OF SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND FUELS OFFICE - COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS SUPPORT FOR THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION AND SU
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 $975,510.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the track record of Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?
Information regarding Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, particularly those similar in scope and value to this Department of Energy award, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their past performance reliability and expertise in delivering federal communications support services. Further research into federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to establish a detailed performance profile.
How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal public relations support services?
Directly comparing the pricing of this $975,510 contract for 2 years is challenging without access to detailed cost breakdowns and market benchmarks for comparable federal public relations support services. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract means the final cost is dependent on actual hours worked and labor rates, making a fixed price comparison difficult. To assess value, one would need to benchmark the contractor's proposed hourly rates against government-wide contract vehicles or other agency procurements for similar services, considering factors like contractor experience, geographic location, and the specific scope of work. The absence of such comparative data in the provided information limits a definitive value-for-money assessment based on price alone.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for communications support?
The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for communications support is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a defined ceiling on the total cost, as payment is based on the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. This can lead to the government paying more than initially anticipated if the project scope expands, timelines are extended, or contractor efficiency is low. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of hours and expenses are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget expectations. Without strong controls, T&M contracts can be less cost-predictable for the government.
How effective is the competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) in ensuring competitive pricing for public relations services?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed to streamline the procurement process for acquisitions below certain dollar thresholds, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden. While SAP encourages competition, the level and quality of competition can vary significantly compared to full and open competition. For public relations services, SAP might attract a good number of qualified bidders, especially if the scope is well-defined and outreach is broad. However, it may not always capture the full range of specialized expertise or the most competitive pricing available in the broader market. The effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on factors like the number of bids received, the clarity of the solicitation, and the specific market dynamics for public relations agencies operating within the SAP framework.
What is the typical spending pattern for strategic engagement and outreach support services within the Department of Energy?
Analyzing the typical spending patterns for strategic engagement and outreach support services within the Department of Energy (DOE) requires examining historical contract data across various offices and programs. The DOE, like many large federal agencies, relies on external support for communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement to disseminate information about its complex initiatives, such as sustainable transportation and energy efficiency. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on program priorities, legislative mandates, and the need for public awareness campaigns. While this specific $975K contract is for a defined period, broader historical data would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the primary contractors utilized for similar support functions within the DOE.
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: $2,224,008
Exercised Options: $1,346,822
Current Obligation: $975,510
Actual Outlays: $743,521
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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