HUD's $13.2M Neighborhood Networks contract awarded to DB Consulting Group, Inc. for publishing services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,261,355 ($13.3M)

Contractor: DB Consulting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2008-09-30

End Date: 2013-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $13.3 million to DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS Key points: 1. The contract's value of $13.2 million over five years suggests a significant investment in publishing services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are unclear without further details on the bidding process. 3. The fixed-firm price contract type indicates a predictable cost structure for the government. 4. Performance context is limited without specific metrics on the success of the 'Neighborhood Networks' initiative. 5. The contract falls under the 'Publishing Services' sector, specifically for 'All Other Publishers'. 6. The duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term commitment to the service provider.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $13.2 million contract is challenging without comparable data on similar publishing services for community outreach initiatives. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the effectiveness and reach of the 'Neighborhood Networks' program. Without performance metrics, it's difficult to assess if the investment yielded optimal results compared to alternative approaches or providers.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', which implies some level of competition. However, the specific number of bidders and the details of the solicitation process are not provided. A competitive award is generally positive for price discovery, but the extent of competition and its impact on the final price cannot be determined from the available data.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition typically drives down prices and encourages innovation, leading to better use of public funds. If competition was limited, taxpayers may have paid a premium.

Public Impact

The 'Neighborhood Networks' initiative likely aimed to benefit local communities by providing access to information and resources. The services delivered would have involved publishing and dissemination of information related to community development or engagement. The geographic impact would have been concentrated in areas targeted by the Neighborhood Networks program, potentially nationwide. Workforce implications could include jobs in publishing, content creation, and program administration, both within the contractor and potentially within community organizations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and value of the services provided.
The broad NAICS code '511199' (All Other Publishers) lacks specificity, making it hard to compare with niche publishing contracts.
The contract duration of five years, while providing stability, could also lead to complacency if not actively managed and reviewed.

Positive Signals

The award to DB Consulting Group, Inc. suggests they met the requirements for this specific publishing need.
The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.
The 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation indicates that the contract was not sole-sourced, implying some level of market vetting.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader 'Publishing Services' sector, specifically under 'All Other Publishers' (NAICS 511199). This category encompasses a wide range of publishing activities not classified elsewhere. The market for such services is diverse, including commercial publishers, specialized content creators, and government contractors. The $13.2 million value positions this as a moderately sized contract within the federal IT and services landscape, requiring a provider capable of managing significant publishing output over several years.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, DB Consulting Group, Inc., would be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion, and its impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether they choose to engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the awarding and servicing agency. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight would focus on task order execution, performance against requirements, and financial management. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, but specific oversight mechanisms like regular performance reviews or independent audits are not detailed in this data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Community Development Block Grants
Housing Choice Vouchers Program
HUD Information Technology Services
Federal Publishing and Printing Services

Risk Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics.
Ambiguity in the scope of 'All Other Publishers'.
Limited information on competition details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $13.3 million to DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORKS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-30. End: 2013-09-29.

What was the specific nature of the 'Neighborhood Networks' initiative and its objectives?

The 'Neighborhood Networks' initiative, as managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was designed to foster community development and provide resources to residents, particularly in underserved areas. The core objective was to create accessible hubs for information, training, and services related to housing, employment, and economic opportunity. These networks aimed to empower residents by connecting them with local resources, promoting digital literacy, and facilitating community engagement. The publishing services procured under this contract likely supported the dissemination of information about these networks, their services, and success stories, thereby helping to expand their reach and impact within targeted communities.

How does the $13.2 million contract value compare to similar federal publishing contracts?

Comparing the $13.2 million value of this contract to similar federal publishing contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, as a five-year contract, it represents an average annual spend of approximately $2.64 million. This figure is substantial for publishing services, suggesting a significant scope of work, potentially involving large-scale content creation, distribution, and management. Contracts of this magnitude are typically awarded to established firms with proven capabilities in handling complex information dissemination projects for government agencies. Without specific benchmarks for 'community outreach publishing,' it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high or low value, but it indicates a significant investment.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate DB Consulting Group, Inc.'s performance?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate DB Consulting Group, Inc.'s performance under the 'Neighborhood Networks' contract. Typically, for publishing services, KPIs might include metrics such as the timeliness of content delivery, accuracy and quality of published materials, reach and engagement of disseminated information (e.g., website traffic, distribution numbers), adherence to budget, and client satisfaction. For an initiative like 'Neighborhood Networks,' KPIs could also relate to the program's impact on community engagement, resource utilization, or resident empowerment. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data makes a detailed performance assessment impossible.

What is the track record of DB Consulting Group, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with HUD?

DB Consulting Group, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While this specific contract for 'Neighborhood Networks' is a notable award, their broader federal contracting portfolio would provide a more comprehensive view of their track record. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including their success in meeting deadlines, delivering quality services, and managing budgets, is crucial for assessing their reliability. Information on past performance, including any awards, past performance evaluations, or contract disputes, would be available through federal procurement databases and agency performance records, offering insights into their capabilities and client relationships.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the risks or challenges identified for this specific contract or the mitigation strategies employed. However, general risks associated with large publishing contracts include scope creep, delays in content approval, technological obsolescence of distribution channels, and ensuring consistent quality across a large volume of work. For a community-focused initiative like 'Neighborhood Networks,' risks might also involve reaching target audiences effectively, ensuring content relevance, and adapting to changing community needs. Mitigation would typically involve robust project management, clear communication protocols with the agency, flexible contract terms where appropriate, and proactive risk assessment throughout the contract lifecycle.

How has federal spending on publishing services evolved, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on publishing services has evolved significantly, shifting from traditional print media to a greater emphasis on digital content, online platforms, and multimedia dissemination. Agencies increasingly require services that can manage complex information ecosystems, ensure accessibility, and engage diverse audiences through various channels. This $13.2 million contract for 'Neighborhood Networks' fits into this evolving landscape by likely encompassing both traditional and digital publishing elements to support HUD's community outreach goals. Its value suggests a substantial commitment to information dissemination, reflecting the ongoing need for agencies to communicate effectively with the public and stakeholders, albeit with a modern, multi-channel approach.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: ALTERNATIVE SOURCES

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8403 COLESVILLE RD STE 1000, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,983,820

Exercised Options: $13,261,355

Current Obligation: $13,261,355

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0438U

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline