DOJ's FBI awards $11.6M marketing contract to The Hatcher Group Inc. for consulting services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,639,671 ($11.6M)
Contractor: THE Hatcher Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2024-09-12
End Date: 2025-09-11
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: MARKETING SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $11.6 million to THE HATCHER GROUP INC for work described as: MARKETING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to The Hatcher Group Inc. for marketing consulting services. 2. Totaling $11.6 million, the contract spans one year. 3. The award was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures. 4. Services are categorized under NAICS code 541613 (Marketing Consulting Services).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $11.6 million for one year of marketing consulting services appears high without a competitive benchmark. The provided data lacks sufficient detail to definitively assess value against similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for this contract. The lack of full competition raises concerns about the potential for overspending and suboptimal resource allocation.
Public Impact
Federal Bureau of Investigation utilizing marketing expertise for its operations. Potential impact on public perception and outreach strategies of the FBI. Contract duration of one year with an option for extension. Focus on marketing consulting services suggests a need for strategic communication.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for scope creep without clear deliverables.
Positive Signals
- Contract addresses a specific need for marketing expertise.
- Established vendor with a clear service category.
- Defined contract period.
Sector Analysis
Marketing consulting services fall under professional services. Benchmarks for similar contracts are difficult to ascertain without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Hatcher Group Inc., which is not indicated as a small business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the FBI effectively utilizes the marketing services and that the contract remains within scope and budget. The limited competition necessitates careful monitoring of performance and costs.
Related Government Programs
- Marketing Consulting Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of full and open competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to limited competition.
- Absence of detailed performance metrics.
- Unclear justification for sole-source or limited competition award.
Tags
marketing-consulting-services, department-of-justice, md, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $11.6 million to THE HATCHER GROUP INC. MARKETING SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE HATCHER GROUP INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2025-09-11.
What specific marketing objectives does the FBI aim to achieve with this contract, and how will success be measured?
The FBI likely aims to enhance its public image, improve communication strategies, and potentially support recruitment or outreach initiatives. Success measurement would typically involve key performance indicators (KPIs) such as media reach, public engagement metrics, campaign effectiveness, and alignment with strategic communication goals. Without specific deliverables outlined, it's challenging to define precise success metrics.
What justification was provided for not competing this contract under simplified acquisition procedures, and what is the rationale for selecting this specific vendor?
The justification for not competing under simplified acquisition procedures is not provided in the data. Typically, this could be due to the contract's value exceeding simplified thresholds, specific vendor qualifications, or urgency. The rationale for selecting The Hatcher Group Inc. likely stems from their specialized expertise in marketing consulting, past performance, or a pre-existing relationship, though this is not explicitly stated.
How does the $11.6 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar marketing consulting services provided to federal agencies of this size?
Comparing this $11.6 million contract value to industry benchmarks is challenging without detailed scope of work. Marketing consulting can range widely in cost based on services (e.g., strategy, creative, digital, PR). For a one-year engagement with a federal agency like the FBI, this amount could be reasonable for comprehensive services, but it could also be high if the scope is limited or if more competitive bids were feasible.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Marketing Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7600 WISCONSIN AVE STE 1000, BETHESDA, MD, 20814
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,691,045
Exercised Options: $11,691,045
Current Obligation: $11,639,671
Actual Outlays: $11,639,671
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15F06721A0003323
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-12
Current End Date: 2025-09-11
Potential End Date: 2025-09-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-30
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