VA awards $17.7M contract for suicide prevention communication tools and strategies to Sigil Consulting Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,677,880 ($17.7M)

Contractor: Sigil Consulting Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REQUIREMENT TO DEVELOP/IMPLEMENT A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS, TOOLS, STRATEGIES AND DISTRIBUTION PROCESSES RELATED TO SUICIDE PREVENTION TO ENSURE VETERANS AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS ARE WELL VERSED IN VA'S RESOURCES FOR REDUCING VETERAN SUICIDE.

Place of Performance

Location: ROSEVILLE, PLACER County, CALIFORNIA, 95747

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $17.7 million to SIGIL CONSULTING GROUP LLC for work described as: REQUIREMENT TO DEVELOP/IMPLEMENT A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS, TOOLS, STRATEGIES AND DISTRIBUTION PROCESSES RELATED TO SUICIDE PREVENTION TO ENSURE VETERANS AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS ARE WELL VERSED IN VA'S RESOURCES FOR REDUCING VETERAN SUICIDE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on developing and distributing communication products to reduce veteran suicide. 2. Sigil Consulting Group LLC is the awardee for this 729-day contract. 3. The contract aims to ensure veterans and stakeholders are informed about VA's suicide prevention resources. 4. This initiative addresses a critical public health need within the veteran community.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.7M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for comprehensive communication strategy development and implementation. Benchmarking against similar public health communication campaigns would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to improve veteran well-being and reduce suicide rates, representing a significant but potentially high-impact use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Enhances access to vital suicide prevention resources for veterans. Aims to reduce the tragic rate of veteran suicide through targeted communication. Increases awareness of VA's commitment to mental health support for veterans. Empowers veterans and their families with knowledge of available assistance. Contributes to a broader national effort to address mental health challenges.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best possible price.
Effectiveness of communication strategies is difficult to measure upfront.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical messaging.

Positive Signals

Addresses a high-priority veteran need.
Clear objective to improve veteran well-being.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained effort.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically media buying and advertising agencies. Spending in this area often supports government outreach and public awareness campaigns. The benchmark for similar contracts would depend on the scope and duration of services.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts, including performance monitoring and financial reviews, should be in place to ensure accountability and effective use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Media Buying Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition to result in higher costs.
Difficulty in directly attributing suicide reduction solely to communication efforts.
Risk of communication fatigue or ineffectiveness if strategies are not innovative.
Dependence on vendor's expertise for critical public health messaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $17.7 million to SIGIL CONSULTING GROUP LLC. REQUIREMENT TO DEVELOP/IMPLEMENT A VARIETY OF COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS, TOOLS, STRATEGIES AND DISTRIBUTION PROCESSES RELATED TO SUICIDE PREVENTION TO ENSURE VETERANS AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS ARE WELL VERSED IN VA'S RESOURCES FOR REDUCING VETERAN SUICIDE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGIL CONSULTING GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the communication products and strategies in reducing veteran suicide?

Success metrics should include quantifiable data such as increased utilization of VA crisis lines, website traffic to resource pages, and survey data on veteran awareness and perceived helpfulness of the communication. Qualitative feedback from veterans and mental health professionals will also be crucial for assessing impact and informing future strategies.

How will the VA ensure that the communication strategies developed are culturally sensitive and reach diverse veteran populations effectively?

The VA should mandate that Sigil Consulting Group LLC conduct thorough market research and engage with diverse veteran groups during the development phase. This includes incorporating feedback from various demographic segments, using appropriate language and imagery, and employing multi-channel distribution methods to ensure broad reach and cultural resonance across the veteran community.

What is the potential for cost savings if this contract were competed under full and open competition?

While difficult to quantify without specific market data, full and open competition typically fosters greater price competition among a wider pool of vendors, potentially leading to lower prices or better value. The current limited competition structure may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a broader solicitation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Media Buying Agencies

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 36C10X23R0037

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4144 SOUTHAMPTON ST, ROSEVILLE, CA, 95747

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,924,408

Exercised Options: $17,677,880

Current Obligation: $17,677,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline