DOJ awards $92K contract for fugitive apprehension media support to The Winvale Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $92,135 ($92.1K)

Contractor: THE Winvale Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2026-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $253/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES OPA: MEDIA RELATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES CF: APC-FY26-000037

Place of Performance

Location: HENRICO, HENRICO County, VIRGINIA, 23233

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $92,135.27 to THE WINVALE GROUP, LLC for work described as: MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES OPA: MEDIA RELATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES CF: APC-FY26-000037 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on media relations support for fugitive apprehension operations. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a firm-fixed-price structure. 4. The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary agency utilizing these services. 5. The contractor, The Winvale Group, LLC, is based in Virginia. 6. This award represents a small portion of overall federal spending in support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $92,135.27 for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized media relations support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for public affairs or media support services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages multiple companies to compete, potentially leading to more favorable pricing for the government. The use of this procurement method suggests a standard service requirement where a broad market exists.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces and ensures the government receives competitive pricing for its needs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service benefits from enhanced media relations capabilities during fugitive apprehension operations. The public may receive more timely and accurate information regarding high-profile fugitive cases. The contract supports the critical mission of apprehending fugitives, contributing to public safety. The geographic impact is primarily national, given the scope of U.S. Marshals Service operations. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team from the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor effectiveness beyond basic service delivery.
The specific nature of 'media relations support' could be broad, potentially leading to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive pricing environment.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's financial risk.
The contractor is supporting a critical law enforcement mission for the U.S. Marshals Service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and support services. The market for media relations and public affairs support is diverse, encompassing numerous small and large businesses. Federal spending in this area supports various agencies' communication needs, from public outreach to crisis communication. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader categories of professional services or specialized support contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was on obtaining the best value through open competition. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral, as this contract was not specifically designed to benefit small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Public Affairs Support
Federal Law Enforcement Support Services
Media and Communications Contracts
U.S. Marshals Service Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope impacting value for money.
Reliance on contractor for sensitive public communications.
Limited insight into contractor's specific past performance in this niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $92,135.27 to THE WINVALE GROUP, LLC. MISSION CRITICAL - APPREHENDING FUGITIVES OPA: MEDIA RELATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES CF: APC-FY26-000037

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE WINVALE GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $92,135.27.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the track record of The Winvale Group, LLC in providing media relations support to federal agencies?

Information regarding The Winvale Group, LLC's specific track record in providing media relations support to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history with government entities, and client testimonials. Federal procurement databases and agency performance rating systems (like CPARS) would be the primary sources for such information. Without this data, it's difficult to gauge their experience and past success in similar roles. However, their selection through a full and open competition suggests they met the minimum qualifications set forth by the U.S. Marshals Service for this requirement.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar media support contracts for law enforcement agencies?

The awarded amount of $92,135.27 for a one-year contract for media relations support is relatively modest when compared to larger federal contracts. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope of services, deliverables, and the complexity of the operations being supported. Contracts for broader public affairs or strategic communications for agencies with extensive national or international operations could range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually. For a specific, mission-critical support function like fugitive apprehension media relations, this amount may be appropriate if the scope is well-defined and limited. A detailed market analysis or review of similar task orders under larger IDIQs would be needed for a precise benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential misalignment between the contractor's media support and the U.S. Marshals Service's operational needs, leading to ineffective communication during critical fugitive apprehension events. Reputational risk for the agency could arise from poorly managed media interactions. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined statement of work (SOW), strict approval processes for all media-related activities, regular performance reviews, and the firm-fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to meet defined objectives within budget. The government's ability to monitor and direct the contractor's activities is also a crucial mitigation factor.

How effective is the U.S. Marshals Service in managing external communications during fugitive apprehension operations?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Marshals Service in managing external communications during fugitive apprehension operations is not directly assessed by this contract award alone. This contract provides support services, implying a need for enhanced or specialized assistance in this area. The agency's overall effectiveness would depend on its internal communication strategies, the training of its personnel, and the capabilities of the support services provided by contractors like The Winvale Group. Success would be measured by factors such as public cooperation, accurate information dissemination, and minimizing misinformation during sensitive operations.

What is the historical spending trend for media relations support by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Historical spending data for media relations support specifically by the U.S. Marshals Service is not provided in the current dataset. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts awarded to The Winvale Group, LLC or other firms providing media relations, public affairs, or communications support to the U.S. Marshals Service. Understanding historical spending patterns would reveal trends in investment in these services, potential increases or decreases in demand, and the average cost of such support over time.

Does the firm-fixed-price contract type adequately incentivize performance for media relations support?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type generally incentivizes performance by establishing a set price regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For media relations support, this means The Winvale Group, LLC is motivated to deliver the agreed-upon services efficiently to maximize their profit margin. This structure provides cost certainty for the U.S. Marshals Service. However, the effectiveness of the incentive depends heavily on how well the scope of work is defined. If the SOW is vague, the contractor might focus on minimal compliance rather than proactive or high-impact support. Clear performance standards and quality metrics within the SOW are crucial for ensuring the FFP contract drives desired outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Electronic Computer Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15M10226QA4700034

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3951 WESTERRE PKWY, HENRICO, VA, 23233

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $297,655

Exercised Options: $92,135

Current Obligation: $92,135

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA23D007Q

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline