DHS awards $14.7M for WHTI Strategic Communications Plan to Elevation, Ltd
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,703,327 ($14.7M)
Contractor: Elevation, Ltd.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2008-02-04
End Date: 2009-12-31
Contract Duration: 696 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXECUTION OF WHTI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.7 million to ELEVATION, LTD. for work described as: EXECUTION OF WHTI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN Key points: 1. Contract awarded for graphic design services related to the WHTI Strategic Communications Plan. 2. Sole-source award to Elevation, Ltd. raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. The contract duration of 696 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for these services. 4. Limited competition may have impacted the final price achieved for these services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $14.7 million for graphic design services over 696 days appears high, especially given the lack of competition. Benchmarking against similar graphic design contracts would be necessary to determine if this pricing is reasonable.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $14.7 million contract likely resulted in a higher cost to taxpayers than if it had been competitively bid.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of competitive bidding. The public receives communication materials developed under this contract, impacting how WHTI is understood. Lack of transparency in the procurement process could erode public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value for graphic design
- Lack of competition
Positive Signals
- Clear project objective (WHTI Strategic Communications Plan)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under graphic design services, a segment of the professional services sector. Spending benchmarks for similar government contracts in this area are difficult to ascertain without more specific details on the scope of work.
Small Business Impact
The award to Elevation, Ltd. does not indicate any specific provisions or benefits for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further suggests that small businesses were not considered or given an opportunity to compete.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification for not competing was sound and that the pricing is fair and reasonable. Accountability for the procurement decision rests with the Department of Homeland Security.
Related Government Programs
- Graphic Design Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited transparency
- No small business participation
Tags
graphic-design-services, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.7 million to ELEVATION, LTD.. EXECUTION OF WHTI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ELEVATION, LTD..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-02-04. End: 2009-12-31.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of conducting a competition?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific circumstances where only one vendor can meet the requirement. Without access to the contract file and justification documentation, it is impossible to determine the specific reasons. However, the absence of competition for a contract of this magnitude raises concerns about potential missed opportunities for cost savings and broader vendor engagement.
How does the $14.7 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar graphic design and strategic communication services?
Determining an exact benchmark is challenging without detailed scope of work. However, $14.7 million for 696 days of graphic design and strategic communication services is substantial. Industry averages vary widely based on complexity, deliverables, and vendor experience. A competitive process would have provided a clearer market-based price, whereas this sole-source award makes direct comparison difficult and potentially less favorable.
What specific deliverables and outcomes were expected from Elevation, Ltd. under this contract, and how was their effectiveness measured?
The contract was for the 'EXECUTION OF WHTI STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PLAN,' implying the development and dissemination of communication materials. Specific deliverables would likely include campaign strategies, design assets, and potentially media placements. Measuring effectiveness would depend on the defined metrics within the plan, such as public awareness, engagement, or behavioral changes related to WHTI. The lack of competition might imply less scrutiny on performance metrics.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Specialized Design Services › Graphic Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1818 N ST NW STE 425, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,703,327
Exercised Options: $14,703,327
Current Obligation: $14,703,327
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSBP1008A01822
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-02-04
Current End Date: 2009-12-31
Potential End Date: 2009-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-07-30
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