Treasury's Mint awards $3.5M media services contract to YES& FEDERAL, LLC for customer engagement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,500,000 ($3.5M)

Contractor: YES& Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2025-06-23

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 615 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OY3 MEDIA SPEND THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF MEDIA ASSETS REQUESTED BY THE MINT TO SUPPORT TIMELY SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT NEEDS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $3.5 million to YES& FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: OY3 MEDIA SPEND THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF MEDIA ASSETS REQUESTED BY THE MINT TO SUPPORT TIMELY SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT NEEDS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on media assets for sales, marketing, and customer engagement, indicating a need for broad communication support. 2. The firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially limiting cost overruns. 3. A duration of 615 days allows for sustained support across multiple campaigns or initiatives. 4. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting larger firms were expected to compete. 5. The primary NAICS code (541511) points to custom computer programming services, which may be a component of the media asset creation or delivery. 6. The contract's value is moderate, suggesting it supports specific, targeted needs rather than a large-scale, ongoing program.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.5 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for comprehensive media asset development and support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for marketing and media services for government agencies of this size would provide further context. The firm fixed-price type suggests the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, aiming for predictable expenditure. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the pricing seems aligned with typical market rates for such services.

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 offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and quality. This approach allows the government to leverage the widest possible range of capabilities and innovations available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that the government receives the best value by considering all qualified vendors.

Public Impact

The United States Mint benefits from enhanced sales, marketing, and customer engagement capabilities. Citizens and collectors will experience improved communication regarding Mint products and initiatives. The contract supports the Mint's mission to produce and sell circulating, bullion, and numismatic coins. Workforce implications are likely within the contractor's organization, focusing on media production and campaign management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if media asset requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, timely media assets.
Risk of outdated media strategies if market trends are not continuously monitored.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The media and advertising sector is highly dynamic, with significant spending across government agencies for public outreach, marketing, and information dissemination. The United States Mint, as a bureau within the Treasury, requires specialized media services to promote its products, engage collectors, and manage public perception. This contract fits within the broader category of government communications and marketing services, where agencies often procure support for digital media, advertising campaigns, and content creation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other agencies' media buys and public affairs contracts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific small business subcontracting requirements indicated in the provided data. This suggests that the competition was open to all business sizes, and the primary awardee is likely a larger entity. The absence of set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited, though they might be involved as subcontractors if the prime contractor chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the United States Mint. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by tying payment to deliverables. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues, but the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) or the Treasury OIG could have oversight if financial impropriety or significant performance failures were alleged.

Related Government Programs

US Mint Marketing and Sales Support
Government Advertising and Public Relations
Federal Media Buying Services
Treasury Department Communications Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope leading to cost overruns.
Reliance on contractor's expertise for effective media strategy.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $3.5 million to YES& FEDERAL, LLC. OY3 MEDIA SPEND THIS TASK ORDER IS FOR A WIDE ARRAY OF MEDIA ASSETS REQUESTED BY THE MINT TO SUPPORT TIMELY SALES, MARKETING AND CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT NEEDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YES& FEDERAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (United States Mint).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-23. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of YES& FEDERAL, LLC in performing similar media services for federal agencies?

A thorough review of YES& FEDERAL, LLC's past performance is crucial for assessing their capability to meet the United States Mint's needs. This would involve examining their contract history with other federal agencies, specifically looking for contracts related to media asset creation, marketing campaigns, and customer engagement. Key indicators would include past performance evaluations, any documented instances of contract disputes or terminations, and the successful delivery of similar projects within budget and schedule. Information on their experience with government procurement processes and compliance requirements is also vital. Without specific data on their prior federal contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record, but a proactive review of available federal procurement data (e.g., SAM.gov, FPDS) would be the next step.

How does the $3.5 million contract value compare to similar media services contracts awarded by other government entities?

The $3.5 million contract value for media services over approximately two years is a moderate figure within the federal contracting landscape. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against contracts awarded by similar agencies (e.g., other bureaus within Treasury, or agencies with comparable public outreach needs) for services such as advertising, digital media production, public relations, and marketing support. Factors like contract duration, scope of services (e.g., national vs. regional campaigns, digital-only vs. multi-channel), and the specific deliverables (e.g., video production, social media management, graphic design) heavily influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is within a reasonable range for comprehensive support, but a detailed comparison with contracts of similar scope and complexity would provide a more definitive value-for-money assessment.

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

Primary risks for this media services contract include potential scope creep if requirements are not precisely defined, the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality assets consistently and on time, and the risk of media strategies becoming outdated in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear statement of work (SOW), detailed performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and a defined change management process. The firm fixed-price contract itself acts as a mitigation tool against cost overruns, provided the scope is well-managed. The government's oversight through contract administration and performance monitoring is key to identifying and addressing risks proactively. The contractor's own quality control processes and market awareness are also critical for mitigating risks related to content relevance and effectiveness.

What is the expected effectiveness of the media assets to be produced under this contract for the US Mint's sales and customer engagement goals?

The effectiveness of the media assets will depend heavily on the strategic alignment of the contractor's work with the US Mint's specific sales and customer engagement objectives. The contract's stated purpose is to support 'timely sales, marketing and customer engagement needs,' implying a direct link to revenue generation and public interaction. Success will be measured by the contractor's ability to create compelling content that resonates with target audiences, drives traffic to sales platforms, and enhances brand perception. Key performance indicators (KPIs) likely established within the contract, such as website traffic, conversion rates, social media engagement, and sales uplift attributable to specific campaigns, will be critical for evaluating effectiveness. The quality of creative execution and the strategic targeting of these assets will ultimately determine their impact.

How has the US Mint's spending on media and marketing services evolved over the past few years?

Analyzing the US Mint's historical spending on media and marketing services provides context for the current $3.5 million award. This would involve examining contract data from previous fiscal years to identify trends in spending levels, types of services procured (e.g., digital advertising, content creation, public relations), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding this historical pattern can reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these areas. It can also highlight shifts in the Mint's strategic priorities or its approach to engaging with the public and promoting its products. Without access to specific historical spending data for the US Mint's media and marketing functions, a detailed analysis is not possible, but such an examination would be a standard part of a comprehensive federal spending analysis.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1700 DIAGONAL RD STE 450, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,500,000

Exercised Options: $3,500,000

Current Obligation: $3,500,000

Actual Outlays: $306,314

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2031JG22D00008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline