DoD Awards $12M Public Affairs Support Contract to McLaughlin Research Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,984,504 ($12.0M)

Contractor: Mclaughlin Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-07-25

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,101 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BUSINESS SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF CODE 103 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION IN THE AREAS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION DESIGN, GRAPHICS, PHOTOGRAPHY, IMAGING, VISUAL INFORMATION AND GRAPHICS.

Place of Performance

Location: NEWPORT, NEWPORT County, RHODE ISLAND, 02841

State: Rhode Island Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $12.0 million to MCLAUGHLIN RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: BUSINESS SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF CODE 103 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION IN THE AREAS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION DESIGN, GRAPHICS, PHOTOGRAPHY, IMAGING, VISUAL INFORMATION AND GRAPHICS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on project management, information design, and visual communications. 2. McLaughlin Research Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract. 4. Spending is within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount is substantial for specialized support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, this specific award is a delivery order, implying it might be part of a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract where initial competition occurred.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized public affairs and visual information support, which is necessary for effective government communication but requires careful cost management.

Public Impact

Supports critical public affairs functions for the Department of the Navy. Enhances visual communication capabilities for military operations and outreach. Potential for improved project management and information design in defense communications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Sole awardee for this delivery order

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition
Supports essential public affairs functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting public affairs and information design. Spending benchmarks for similar specialized support services vary widely, but this award appears to be a significant investment in communication capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as the 'sb' field is false. This suggests larger, established firms are likely competing for and winning these types of specialized service contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure does not lead to excessive costs and that the services delivered meet the Navy's public affairs objectives effectively.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Navy Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
Lack of small business participation
Limited visibility into parent contract details
Dependence on a single awardee for this delivery order

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $12.0 million to MCLAUGHLIN RESEARCH CORPORATION. BUSINESS SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF CODE 103 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION IN THE AREAS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT, INFORMATION DESIGN, GRAPHICS, PHOTOGRAPHY, IMAGING, VISUAL INFORMATION AND GRAPHICS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MCLAUGHLIN RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-25. End: 2027-07-31.

What is the total value of the parent IDIQ contract from which this delivery order was issued?

The provided data only details this specific delivery order's value ($11.98 million). To fully assess the overall investment, information on the parent IDIQ contract's total ceiling, duration, and previous task orders would be necessary. This context is vital for understanding the long-term commitment and potential for future spending.

How will the effectiveness of the project management and information design services be measured?

Effectiveness measurement should focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to project completion timelines, budget adherence, quality of deliverables (e.g., graphic design appeal, clarity of information), and stakeholder satisfaction. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms are essential for ensuring the contractor meets the Navy's public affairs objectives.

What is the risk associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type in this context?

The primary risk with CPFF is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs, as the government agrees to pay allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This necessitates robust government oversight to scrutinize costs, ensure efficiency, and prevent scope creep to mitigate potential cost overruns and ensure value for taxpayer money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: N6660423R3000

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 130 EUGENE O'NEILL DR, NEW LONDON, CT, 06320

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,210,536

Exercised Options: $14,494,330

Current Obligation: $11,984,504

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017819D8089

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline