DOJ awards $220K for 2-day Texas Motor Speedway TV campaign to Nexstar Media Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,000 ($22.0K)

Contractor: Nexstar Media Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-05-01

End Date: 2026-05-03

Contract Duration: 2 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TITLE: TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY CAMPAIGN

Place of Performance

Location: IRVING, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75062

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $22,000 to NEXSTAR MEDIA INC. for work described as: TITLE: TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY CAMPAIGN Key points: 1. Value for money appears questionable given the short duration and high cost for a single event. 2. Limited competition dynamics suggest potential for overpayment. 3. Risk indicators include a lack of competitive bidding and a short performance window. 4. Performance context is limited to a specific event, making broad impact assessment difficult. 5. Sector positioning is within media broadcasting for a specific geographic region.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $220,000 for a two-day television broadcasting campaign is substantial, especially considering the limited duration. Benchmarking against similar short-term event-based advertising campaigns would be necessary to determine true value for money. Without more data on the reach and impact of this specific campaign, it's difficult to assess if the price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The lack of a competitive bidding process means that the government did not explore multiple vendor options, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple bids were solicited.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Nexstar Media Inc. and potentially the Texas Motor Speedway through increased visibility. The service delivered is television broadcasting for a specific event. The geographic impact is concentrated in Texas, specifically around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex where the speedway is located. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting the sales and production staff at Nexstar Media Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about price reasonableness.
Short performance window limits the ability to assess long-term impact or value.
High cost for a brief advertising campaign.

Positive Signals

Clear vendor identified (Nexstar Media Inc.).
Specific service (TV broadcasting) and location (Texas Motor Speedway) are defined.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the media and advertising sector, specifically television broadcasting. This sector is characterized by dynamic pricing based on audience reach, time slots, and event significance. The market size for advertising is vast, but contracts for specific event promotions can vary widely. This particular award appears to be for a niche, short-term promotional effort rather than a broad media buy.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities, as it was awarded directly to Nexstar Media Inc. without competition. The impact on the small business ecosystem is negligible in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Justice's internal procurement and financial management controls. Accountability rests with the contracting officers and program managers within the Drug Enforcement Administration. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Advertising Contracts
Drug Enforcement Administration Public Relations
Federal Media Buying
Event-Specific Government Advertising

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpayment
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $22,000 to NEXSTAR MEDIA INC.. TITLE: TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY CAMPAIGN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NEXSTAR MEDIA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2026-05-03.

What is the track record of Nexstar Media Inc. in handling government contracts, particularly for similar advertising campaigns?

Information regarding Nexstar Media Inc.'s specific track record with government contracts, especially for advertising campaigns of this nature, is not readily available within the provided data. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG would be required to ascertain their history with federal agencies. This would include examining past awards, contract values, performance reviews, and any reported issues or successes. Without this historical data, it's difficult to assess their reliability and past performance in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the cost of this campaign compare to similar short-term, event-based advertising contracts awarded by federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $220,000 contract against similar short-term, event-based advertising campaigns is challenging without more specific comparative data. Factors such as the target audience size, media reach (local vs. national), specific time slots, and the perceived value of the event itself significantly influence pricing. A comprehensive analysis would involve searching for contracts with comparable durations (2 days), media types (television broadcasting), and geographic focus (Texas). The lack of competition for this award also suggests that a direct price comparison might not reflect market rates accurately.

What are the specific objectives and expected outcomes of this television broadcasting campaign for the Drug Enforcement Administration?

The provided data does not specify the exact objectives or expected outcomes for this television broadcasting campaign. Typically, such campaigns by law enforcement agencies aim for public awareness, recruitment, or public service announcements related to their mission. Given the location (Texas Motor Speedway), it could be related to a specific event or initiative targeting a demographic that attends such venues. Further clarification from the Drug Enforcement Administration would be needed to understand the strategic goals and how the success of this $220,000 investment will be measured.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Drug Enforcement Administration on television broadcasting and event sponsorships?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on television broadcasting and event sponsorships would require access to historical contract data over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases to identify all contracts related to media buys, advertising, and sponsorships. Understanding these patterns would reveal whether this $220,000 award is an anomaly, a consistent investment, or an increase/decrease in spending for such activities. It would also help contextualize the current award within the DEA's broader communication and outreach strategies.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this value without a competitive bidding process?

The primary risk associated with awarding a contract of $220,000 without competitive bidding is the potential for paying a non-competitive price. Without multiple bids, there is no market pressure to ensure the government receives the best value. This sole-source approach can also raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. Additionally, it limits the opportunity to discover innovative solutions or better-suited vendors that might have emerged from a competitive solicitation. The short duration of the contract might be a mitigating factor, but the principle of seeking competition remains a cornerstone of efficient government spending.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations › Television Broadcasting Stations

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 545 E JOHN CARPENTER FWY STE 700, IRVING, TX, 75062

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,000

Exercised Options: $22,000

Current Obligation: $22,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline