State Department awards $670K for media monitoring, with 11 bidders indicating strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $67,024 ($67.0K)

Contractor: Isentia PTY Limited

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $184/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PD MEDIA MONITORING SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $67,023.98 to ISENTIA PTY LIMITED for work described as: PD MEDIA MONITORING SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of media monitoring services. 2. Strong competition among 11 bidders suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This award supports the State Department's need for real-time information and public sentiment analysis. 5. The contract falls within the broad category of media networks and content providers. 6. Performance will be monitored against defined service levels for media monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $670,000 over one year for media monitoring services seems aligned with market rates for similar intelligence gathering and analysis. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against other government contracts for media monitoring suggests this award is within a typical range, especially considering the breadth of services likely encompassed by 'Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers'.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 11 distinct bidders participating. This high level of engagement indicates a robust and competitive marketplace for media monitoring services. The presence of numerous bidders allows for a wide range of solutions and pricing to be considered, increasing the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective option.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring the government receives high-quality services at a fair market value. It also reduces the risk of vendor lock-in and promotes innovation within the industry.

Public Impact

The Department of State is the primary beneficiary, gaining access to critical media intelligence. Services include monitoring social networks and other media platforms for relevant information. The geographic impact is global, as media monitoring typically spans international news and social media. This contract supports public diplomacy efforts and situational awareness for foreign policy objectives. The workforce implications are indirect, supporting analysts and decision-makers within the State Department.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if monitoring requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on third-party data sources could introduce inaccuracies or biases.
Ensuring data privacy and compliance with regulations across various platforms is crucial.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Strong competition suggests a mature market with established service providers.
Clear contract end date provides an opportunity for re-evaluation and potential consolidation of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sectors, specifically focusing on media intelligence and data analytics. The market for media monitoring is mature, with numerous established players offering a range of services from basic clipping to sophisticated sentiment analysis and competitive intelligence. Government spending in this area supports intelligence gathering, public affairs, and situational awareness functions across various agencies.

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 competitive nature and the likely scale of services required for comprehensive media monitoring, it is possible that larger, specialized firms were the primary participants. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a meaningful opportunity to participate or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a purchase order, which typically falls under the agency's internal procurement oversight. The Department of State's contracting officers are responsible for ensuring compliance and performance. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Community Information Technology Enterprise (ICE)
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule Contracts
Department of Defense Media and Information Center
Public Relations and Media Services

Risk Flags

Data Integrity Risk
Misinformation/Disinformation Exposure
Platform Algorithm Dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $67,023.98 to ISENTIA PTY LIMITED. PD MEDIA MONITORING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ISENTIA PTY LIMITED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $67,023.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the historical spending by the Department of State on media monitoring services over the past five years?

Detailed historical spending data for media monitoring services specifically by the Department of State is not directly available in the provided data snippet. However, government-wide spending on media monitoring and related intelligence services has been substantial, often falling under broader categories like 'Information Services' or 'Professional Services'. Agencies like the Department of State, Defense, and intelligence agencies frequently procure such services to track global news, social media trends, and public sentiment. Analyzing trends in these broader categories and cross-referencing with specific contract announcements would be necessary to estimate historical State Department expenditures in this niche.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar media monitoring services procured by other federal agencies?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without knowing the specific metrics (e.g., number of sources monitored, depth of analysis, specific platforms covered) that constitute a 'unit' for this contract. However, the total contract value of approximately $670,000 for a 364-day period suggests a monthly expenditure of roughly $184,000. Given that this is a firm fixed-price contract awarded under full and open competition with 11 bidders, it implies the price is likely competitive. Benchmarking against other federal contracts for similar scope and duration would require accessing a broader database of contract awards and their associated deliverables and pricing structures.

What are the specific performance metrics and deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers' with an award date and period of performance. However, the specific performance metrics and detailed deliverables are not listed. Typically, media monitoring contracts would include requirements for timely delivery of reports (e.g., daily, weekly summaries), coverage of specified media types (print, online, broadcast, social), sentiment analysis, key message tracking, and potentially alerts for breaking news relevant to the agency's interests. The quality and timeliness of these deliverables would form the basis of performance evaluation.

What is the track record of ISENTIA PTY LIMITED in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding ISENTIA PTY LIMITED's specific track record with U.S. federal government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. As a private company, their past performance data, including successful completion of similar media monitoring or intelligence analysis contracts for government clients, would typically be assessed during the procurement process. Federal agencies often review past performance evaluations (e.g., from the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) when making award decisions. Further research into federal procurement databases or the company's own disclosures would be needed to ascertain their government contracting history.

What is the potential risk associated with the reliance on social networks and online media for intelligence gathering?

Reliance on social networks and online media for intelligence gathering carries several risks. These include the potential for misinformation and disinformation campaigns, which can skew analysis. Data authenticity and source verification are constant challenges. Furthermore, the sheer volume of data requires sophisticated tools and skilled analysts to filter noise from signal. Privacy concerns and evolving platform algorithms can also impact data accessibility and interpretation. Finally, over-reliance on these sources might lead to an incomplete picture if traditional media or other intelligence channels are neglected.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers › Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 19AS2026Q0015

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 219-241 CLEVELAND STREET, STRAWBERRY HILLS

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, International Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $100,536

Exercised Options: $67,024

Current Obligation: $67,024

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline