DOE's $450K Public Affairs Contract Awarded to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. for Strategic Engagement Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $450,000 ($450.0K)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-10-09
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 448 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/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), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS), PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $450,000 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), PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance strategic engagement and outreach for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. 2. Focus on public affairs support suggests a need for expert communication and stakeholder management. 3. The contract's duration of over a year indicates a sustained need for these services. 4. Awarded under a BPA Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework for efficient procurement. 5. The Time and Materials pricing structure requires careful monitoring to control costs. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly mandated, warranting further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $450,000 over approximately 1.7 years appears reasonable for specialized public affairs support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for strategic communications and public relations services within federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while common, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient use of resources and prevent cost overruns. Without detailed task breakdowns and labor rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award amount seems aligned with the scope of services typically required for such support.
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 initial BPA likely underwent a competitive process. The specific call against the BPA may have involved further competition among BPA holders. With 5 bidders identified, this suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific task order. A competitive process, even within a BPA framework, generally leads to better price discovery and selection of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, with multiple bidders, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the government is receiving services at a fair market price and that the most capable contractor is selected.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), which will receive enhanced public affairs support. Services delivered will focus on strategic engagement and outreach, likely involving media relations, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder communication. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting EERE's mission across the United States. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized public relations and communications professionals by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure if not closely managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical public affairs functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
- Limited visibility into specific performance metrics and deliverables without further contract details.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a single contractor, Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc., suggesting a focused and potentially efficient delivery of services.
- The contract is competed, indicating a selection process that likely favored a qualified and cost-effective provider.
- The BPA Call mechanism suggests a pre-vetted contractor pool, potentially streamlining service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on public relations agencies (NAICS 541820). The market for public affairs and strategic communications support is robust, with numerous firms offering specialized services to government agencies. Federal spending in this category supports agency outreach, public awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, crucial for disseminating information about programs like those managed by DOE's EERE. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar support services vary widely based on scope and duration, but $450,000 for over a year of dedicated support is a moderate investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large corporations. While this can foster broader competition, it also means that specific opportunities for small business subcontracting may not be explicitly mandated or prioritized. Further review of the contract's subcontracting plan, if applicable, would be necessary to determine the extent of small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the U.S. Department of Energy, specifically the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and internal oversight mechanisms by the agency are crucial for assessing effectiveness and ensuring compliance. The Inspector General's office may also conduct audits or investigations if performance or financial irregularities are suspected.
Related Government Programs
- DOE Public Affairs Support
- EERE Outreach Programs
- Federal Public Relations Services
- Strategic Communications Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
- Need for robust oversight of contractor performance and hours
- Limited information on contractor's specific energy sector expertise
Tags
department-of-energy, eere, public-affairs, strategic-engagement, outreach-support, competed, bpa-call, time-and-materials, rack-wildner-reese-inc, district-of-columbia, professional-services, communications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $450,000 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), PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPPORT
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 $450,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-09. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the specific expertise of Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. in the energy sector?
Information regarding Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.'s specific expertise in the energy sector, particularly concerning energy efficiency and renewable energy, is not detailed in the provided data. While their award suggests they possess the general capabilities for public affairs and strategic engagement, a deeper dive into their past performance, client portfolio, and case studies would be necessary to ascertain their specialized knowledge within this domain. Federal procurement databases and the contractor's own website would be the primary sources for this information. Understanding their experience with similar government agencies or energy-focused initiatives would provide better insight into their suitability for supporting EERE's mission.
How does the $450,000 contract value compare to similar public affairs support contracts awarded by the DOE or other agencies?
The $450,000 contract value for approximately 1.7 years of public affairs support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal contracting. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. However, contracts for public relations, strategic communications, and outreach services for federal agencies can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity of the services. For a focused support role like this, the award amount suggests a moderate level of engagement, likely covering strategic advice, media relations, content development, and stakeholder outreach, rather than large-scale public awareness campaigns. Without specific task order details, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value is not immediately indicative of being excessively high or low.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract?
The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns if not rigorously managed. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. This can lead to unpredictable costs for the government if the project scope expands, if inefficiencies arise, or if labor hours are not meticulously tracked and justified. For this $450,000 contract, the Department of Energy must implement strong oversight mechanisms, including detailed timesheet reviews, approval processes for all hours worked, and clear definitions of billable versus non-billable activities. Regular reporting and performance reviews are crucial to ensure that the contractor is operating efficiently and that costs remain aligned with the anticipated value.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of Energy's ability to communicate its energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance the Department of Energy's (DOE) ability to communicate its energy efficiency and renewable energy (EERE) initiatives. By engaging Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. for strategic engagement and outreach support, the DOE aims to leverage specialized expertise in public affairs. This could translate into more effective messaging, broader reach to target audiences, improved media relations, and stronger stakeholder engagement. Enhanced communication is crucial for raising public awareness, fostering adoption of new technologies, and garnering support for EERE's mission. The contractor's role will likely involve developing communication strategies, crafting compelling narratives, and managing outreach efforts to ensure that the impact and benefits of DOE's initiatives are clearly understood by the public and relevant stakeholders.
How does the competition level (5 bidders) influence the value received by the government for this contract?
A competition level of 5 bidders for this contract suggests a moderately competitive environment. Generally, a higher number of bidders correlates with increased price discovery and a greater likelihood of the government securing services at a competitive market rate. With five firms vying for the contract, Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. likely had to present a compelling offer in terms of both technical approach and price to win. This level of competition helps mitigate the risk of awarding the contract at an inflated price and encourages contractors to be efficient and responsive. While more than 5 bidders could potentially yield even better results, 5 indicates that the opportunity was sufficiently attractive to draw multiple qualified participants, benefiting the government.
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: $947,650
Exercised Options: $947,650
Current Obligation: $450,000
Actual Outlays: $92,940
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-09
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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