Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation awards $137K contract for marketing services to Schatz Publishing Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $137,292 ($137.3K)

Contractor: Schatz Publishing Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Start Date: 2025-12-03

End Date: 2026-12-03

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $376/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PBGCS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, ARTICULATE COMPLEX ISSUES, AND CREATE A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. IGCE AMOUNTS: BASE (218,946.88) ALL O

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation obligated $137,292 to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC for work described as: FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PBGCS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, ARTICULATE COMPLEX ISSUES, AND CREATE A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. IGCE AMOUNTS: BASE (218,946.88) ALL O Key points: 1. Contract focuses on public awareness and communication initiatives, aligning with the agency's mission. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is 365 days, indicating a short-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 5. Marketing consulting services are crucial for articulating complex issues and supporting outreach efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $137,292 for a 365-day period for marketing consulting services appears reasonable given the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for public awareness campaigns and communication support for federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process as it is more likely to result in a fair market price, preventing overpayment for marketing and communication services.

Public Impact

The public benefits from increased awareness of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's mission and initiatives. Complex issues related to pension insurance will be articulated more effectively to stakeholders. The services will support internal and external communication initiatives, improving stakeholder engagement. The contract aims to enhance the agency's overall communication strategy and outreach effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contract duration aligns with specific campaign needs.
Clear statement of work for public awareness and communication.

Sector Analysis

The marketing and public relations services sector is a vital component of federal agency operations, enabling effective communication with the public and stakeholders. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category. Comparable spending in this area across federal agencies varies widely based on agency size and mission, but consistent investment in communication is a common theme.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and the nature of the services, it is possible that larger firms or specialized marketing agencies were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a meaningful opportunity to participate.

Oversight & Accountability

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, as a federal agency, is subject to various oversight mechanisms. This contract, being a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, likely falls under the purview of the agency's internal procurement oversight and potentially the PBGC's Office of Inspector General for audits and investigations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Federal Marketing and Advertising Services
Public Relations and Communications Support
Government Communication Initiatives

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation awarded $137,292 to SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. FOR PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF PBGCS MISSION AND INITIATIVES, ARTICULATE COMPLEX ISSUES, AND CREATE A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH TO SUPPORT COMMUNICATION INITIATIVES INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY. IGCE AMOUNTS: BASE (218,946.88) ALL O

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHATZ PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $137,292.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-03. End: 2026-12-03.

What is the track record of Schatz Publishing Group with federal contracts?

Schatz Publishing Group, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily with agencies such as the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. While specific details on past performance quality are not provided in this summary, their continued awards suggest a level of satisfactory performance or competitive pricing. A deeper dive into past contract performance reviews and any reported issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. Analyzing the types and values of previous contracts can also indicate their experience with similar scopes of work.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated cost?

The awarded amount for this contract is $137,292. The provided data mentions 'IGCE AMOUNTS: BASE (218,946.88) ALL O'. This suggests the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) for the base period was $218,946.88. The awarded amount is significantly lower than the IGCE, which is a positive sign indicating that the competition likely drove the price down substantially below the initial government estimate. This suggests good value for money was achieved through the bidding process.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of contract?

Key risks for this marketing and public awareness contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Another risk is the subjective nature of 'public awareness' and 'communication effectiveness,' making performance measurement challenging. Ensuring the contractor's deliverables truly resonate with the target audience and achieve the desired communication outcomes requires clear metrics and ongoing evaluation. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the contractor develops unique insights or materials that are difficult to transfer.

How effective are marketing and communication contracts in achieving agency goals?

Marketing and communication contracts can be highly effective when well-defined and executed. They are crucial for federal agencies to inform the public, build trust, explain complex policies, and encourage desired behaviors (e.g., participation in programs). The effectiveness hinges on clear objectives, targeted strategies, appropriate channels, and measurable outcomes. For the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, effective communication is vital for ensuring beneficiaries and employers understand their rights and responsibilities, thereby supporting the agency's core mission of protecting retirement security. Success requires a deep understanding of the target audience and the agency's specific communication challenges.

What is the historical spending trend for similar services at PBGC?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar marketing and communication services at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation would require access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. Without that specific data, it's difficult to establish a trend. However, federal agencies typically allocate funds for public affairs and communication consistently, adjusting amounts based on specific initiatives, budget cycles, and strategic priorities. This $137,292 award for a one-year period suggests a focused investment in a particular campaign or ongoing communication effort, rather than a massive, sustained expenditure.

Are there any performance metrics defined for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly detail the performance metrics for this contract. However, for a contract focused on 'promoting public awareness' and 'articulating complex issues,' typical performance metrics would likely include measures such as reach (e.g., website traffic, media impressions), engagement (e.g., social media interactions, inquiries received), clarity of messaging (e.g., through surveys or feedback), and potentially the successful dissemination of specific information related to PBGC initiatives. The contract's success would be evaluated against these defined objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Marketing Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 16PBGC25Q0068

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11950 W HIGHLAND AVE, BLACKWELL, OK, 74631

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $772,482

Exercised Options: $137,292

Current Obligation: $137,292

Actual Outlays: $22,882

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA24D0054

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline