State Dept. Awards $3.08M Contract for Public Affairs Influencer Staff to CP Marine, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,080,161 ($3.1M)
Contractor: CP Marine, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2023-07-19
End Date: 2025-07-18
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: KYIV PUBLIC AFFAIRS - INFLUENCER STAFF
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20004
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $3.1 million to CP MARINE, LLC for work described as: KYIV PUBLIC AFFAIRS - INFLUENCER STAFF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. CP Marine, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 730 days. 4. The contract is a delivery order under an unspecified contract. 5. The contract is firm fixed price.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $3.08 million for 730 days suggests a daily rate of approximately $4,219. Without specific deliverables or comparable contracts for influencer staff services, it is difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive or represents good value.
Cost Per Unit: $4,219
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a limited competition approach. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a fully competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers are receiving the best possible value for these public affairs influencer services.
Public Impact
Public affairs and influencer services can impact public perception and policy. The use of external contractors for sensitive functions like public affairs warrants scrutiny. Transparency in how these services are utilized is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Unclear deliverables
- Potential for influence peddling
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract
- Defined period of performance
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, specifically related to public affairs and influencer engagement. Benchmarks for this niche sector are difficult to establish without more detailed service descriptions.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition and the nature of public affairs consulting necessitate robust oversight to ensure ethical conduct and effective use of taxpayer funds.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises cost concerns.
- Vague service description hinders value assessment.
- Potential for reputational risk if influencer activities are controversial.
- Lack of small business participation.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $3.1 million to CP MARINE, LLC. KYIV PUBLIC AFFAIRS - INFLUENCER STAFF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CP MARINE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-07-19. End: 2025-07-18.
What specific public affairs and influencer activities will CP Marine, LLC be undertaking, and how do these align with the Department of State's mission?
The contract description is vague, referring to 'INFLUENCER STAFF' for 'KYIV PUBLIC AFFAIRS'. Specific activities are not detailed, making it difficult to assess alignment with the Department of State's mission. Further clarification is needed on the scope of work, expected outcomes, and how these services contribute to diplomatic or public engagement objectives in Kyiv.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The contract is marked 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', suggesting a sole-source or limited justification. The rationale behind this decision is not provided. Without a competitive bidding process, it is challenging to ascertain if the firm fixed price of $3.08 million represents fair market value or if alternative, more cost-effective solutions were considered.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the influencer staff services be measured and reported to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money?
The contract details do not specify performance metrics or reporting requirements for the influencer staff services. Establishing clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and a robust reporting mechanism is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of these services and ensure accountability for the $3.08 million expenditure. Without this, assessing the return on investment is impossible.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 19AQMM23R0101
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Goldbelt, Incorporated
Address: 76 EGAN DRIVE, JUNEAU, AK, 99801
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,080,161
Exercised Options: $3,080,161
Current Obligation: $3,080,161
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $1,229,167
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM23D0059
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-07-19
Current End Date: 2025-07-18
Potential End Date: 2026-07-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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