DOE awards $2.4M for strategic engagement and outreach, with 5 bidders competing for public relations services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,438,980 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-01-15
End Date: 2027-01-14
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: 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
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15203
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.4 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: 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 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement and outreach, indicating a need for specialized communication expertise. 2. The public relations sector is characterized by a mix of large firms and niche specialists, impacting pricing and service delivery. 3. A moderate level of competition (5 bidders) suggests a reasonably healthy market for these services, potentially leading to fair pricing. 4. The contract's duration of 364 days with a Time and Materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of hours and rates. 5. Performance context is crucial for assessing value, as the effectiveness of outreach and engagement can be subjective. 6. Sector positioning within public relations agencies highlights the importance of strategic communication for government agencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $2.44 million over one year appears reasonable for specialized strategic engagement and outreach support. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for public relations and strategic communication services suggests that this award falls within a typical range. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common, necessitates close oversight to ensure that costs remain aligned with the value delivered and do not escalate beyond initial expectations. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award provides some assurance of fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a full and open competition process for a contract valued under the federal small purchase threshold. The presence of five bidders suggests a competitive environment where multiple firms vied for the opportunity. This level of competition is generally positive, as it allows the agency to select from a range of qualified providers and potentially negotiate more favorable terms. The competition likely contributed to price discovery and ensured that the selected contractor offered a compelling value proposition.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it helps to ensure that the government is not overpaying for the required public relations and strategic engagement services. A competitive award generally leads to more efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) and Office of Electricity are the primary beneficiaries, seeking enhanced strategic engagement and outreach. Services delivered will likely include strategic communication planning, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach campaigns. The geographic impact is primarily national, focusing on disseminating information and engaging stakeholders across the United States regarding critical minerals and energy innovation. Workforce implications may involve the contractor's personnel providing specialized communication expertise, potentially augmenting the agency's internal capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored for labor hours and rates.
- The effectiveness of 'strategic engagement and outreach' can be subjective and difficult to measure, posing a risk to performance evaluation.
- Reliance on external contractors for critical communication functions may reduce internal agency capacity over time.
Positive Signals
- The contract was competed under full and open procedures, indicating a robust selection process.
- A moderate number of bidders (5) suggests sufficient market interest and a competitive award.
- The contract is for a defined period, allowing for reassessment of needs and contractor performance at its conclusion.
Sector Analysis
The public relations industry is a significant sector within professional services, encompassing a wide range of activities from media management to strategic communication campaigns. Government agencies frequently engage PR firms to manage public perception, disseminate information, and foster stakeholder relationships. The market size for government PR contracts is substantial, with agencies across all levels of government procuring these services. This contract fits within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focusing on public relations (NAICS code 541820). Comparable spending benchmarks for similar outreach and engagement support services can vary widely based on scope, duration, and agency needs.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded under the Department of Energy's internal procurement system and does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions mentioned. The contractor, RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is likely minimal for this specific award. However, the potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses would depend on the contractor's own subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officer and program managers responsible for the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) and the Office of Electricity. Standard government contract oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, invoicing review, and adherence to contract terms, will be applied. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned for this particular award, the DOE Office of Inspector General generally has oversight over all DOE spending.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Strategic Communications
- Public Relations Services for Federal Agencies
- Energy Innovation Outreach Programs
- Critical Minerals Information Dissemination
- Government Public Affairs Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Subjectivity in measuring the effectiveness of 'strategic engagement and outreach'.
- Reliance on contractor for critical communication functions.
Tags
department-of-energy, public-relations, strategic-communications, outreach-support, critical-minerals, energy-innovation, competed, time-and-materials, professional-services, federal-contract, pennsylvania, bpa-call
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.4 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. 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
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 $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-15. End: 2027-01-14.
What is the track record of RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. with federal contracts, particularly in public relations and strategic engagement?
A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.'s track record. This would involve examining past contract awards, performance evaluations (if available), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar agencies or types of services, such as energy sector communications or critical minerals outreach, would provide further insight into their capabilities and suitability for this role. Without specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their past performance, but the fact that they were awarded this contract suggests they met the agency's requirements during the bidding process.
How does the $2.44 million award compare to typical spending for similar strategic engagement and outreach support services by the Department of Energy or other federal agencies?
The $2.44 million award for a one-year contract for strategic engagement and outreach support services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government communication needs. Federal agencies often contract for public relations and strategic communication services, with costs varying based on the scope, duration, and complexity of the requirements. For instance, larger agencies or those with high-profile initiatives might spend significantly more, while smaller or more focused efforts could be less. The competitive nature of this award (5 bidders) suggests that the price achieved is likely reflective of market rates for such services. Benchmarking against contracts for similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541820 - Public Relations Agencies) and contract types (Time and Materials) would provide a more precise comparison.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of the strategic engagement and outreach support services?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, for strategic engagement and outreach support services, typical KPIs often include metrics related to media coverage (e.g., number of placements, sentiment analysis), stakeholder engagement (e.g., attendance at events, feedback from participants), public awareness (e.g., survey results, website traffic), and the effectiveness of communication campaigns in achieving defined objectives. The Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) and Office of Electricity would establish these KPIs in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) to ensure accountability and measure the contractor's performance against desired outcomes.
What is the potential risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this engagement, and how is it being mitigated?
The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if labor hours and rates are not carefully managed and controlled. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a predetermined total cost, making budget predictability a concern. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing clear labor categories with defined hourly rates, setting ceilings on the total number of hours or total contract value, and implementing rigorous oversight by the government to monitor progress and approve all billable hours. The Department of Energy would likely have specific procedures in place to track the contractor's time and ensure that all work performed is necessary, reasonable, and directly related to the contract's objectives.
How does this contract align with the Department of Energy's broader goals related to critical minerals and energy innovation?
This contract directly supports the Department of Energy's broader goals by providing essential strategic engagement and outreach services. The Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) and the Office of Electricity are tasked with advancing domestic capabilities in critical minerals and ensuring the reliability and innovation of the electricity sector. Effective communication and engagement are vital for building public understanding, fostering industry partnerships, attracting investment, and garnering support for these complex initiatives. By contracting for specialized public relations support, the DOE aims to amplify its message, connect with key stakeholders, and ultimately advance the strategic objectives related to energy security and innovation.
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: $6,215,994
Exercised Options: $2,456,520
Current Obligation: $2,438,980
Actual Outlays: $10,506
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-15
Current End Date: 2027-01-14
Potential End Date: 2028-07-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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