CPSC Spends $5.2M on Public Relations Support for Information Campaigns with WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,213,574 ($5.2M)
Contractor: Widmeyer Communications, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Start Date: 2020-09-28
End Date: 2022-09-27
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PUBLIC RELATIONS SUPPORT FOR CPSC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $5.2 million to WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for work described as: PUBLIC RELATIONS SUPPORT FOR CPSC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for $5.2 million focuses on public relations support for information campaigns. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for this service. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, ending in September 2022. 4. The primary sector appears to be public relations services, supporting government information dissemination.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.2 million for public relations support over two years appears reasonable given the scope of government information campaigns. Benchmarking against similar contracts for PR services would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for public information campaigns, which can be essential for consumer safety and awareness. The effectiveness of these campaigns in achieving their objectives is key to justifying the cost.
Public Impact
Ensures public awareness of consumer product safety issues and CPSC initiatives. Supports the dissemination of critical information to protect consumers. Facilitates communication between the CPSC and the public. Contributes to a safer consumer environment through informed decision-making.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in information campaign objectives.
- Measuring the direct impact and ROI of PR campaigns can be challenging.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Supports a critical government function of public safety information.
Sector Analysis
The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) provides specialized services for communication and outreach. Government spending in this area supports public awareness campaigns, crisis communication, and stakeholder engagement, with typical contract values varying widely based on campaign scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting some level of pre-competition or established framework. Oversight would focus on the delivery of PR services and campaign effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Public Relations Agencies
- Consumer Product Safety Commission Contracting
- Consumer Product Safety Commission Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
- Potential difficulty in quantifying campaign ROI.
- Dependence on contractor's expertise for effective communication.
- Limited insight into small business participation.
Tags
public-relations-agencies, consumer-product-safety-commission, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $5.2 million to WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.. PUBLIC RELATIONS SUPPORT FOR CPSC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WIDMEYER COMMUNICATIONS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-28. End: 2022-09-27.
What specific metrics are used to evaluate the success of the public relations campaigns funded by this contract?
The success of public relations campaigns is typically measured through a combination of metrics such as media impressions, reach, message recall, website traffic, social media engagement, and changes in consumer behavior or awareness related to the campaign's objectives. The CPSC likely has specific KPIs tied to each information campaign to assess its effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes and justifying the expenditure.
How does the cost of this contract compare to similar public relations support contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable campaigns?
Benchmarking this $5.2 million contract against similar PR support contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors like campaign scope, duration, target audience, and the specific services required (e.g., media relations, content creation, social media management) significantly influence pricing. Without comparative data, a precise assessment of cost-effectiveness is difficult.
What is the potential for this contract to be extended or renewed, and what would be the implications for long-term spending?
The contract duration is 729 days, ending in September 2022. While this specific contract has an end date, the need for ongoing public relations support for information campaigns suggests potential for future contracts or renewals. The implications for long-term spending would depend on the CPSC's continued funding and strategic priorities for public outreach and consumer safety education.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 61320620Q0072
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Finn Partners, Inc
Address: 1129 20TH ST NW STE 200, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,864,950
Exercised Options: $7,279,720
Current Obligation: $5,213,574
Actual Outlays: $5,213,574
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA19D008T
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-28
Current End Date: 2022-09-27
Potential End Date: 2022-09-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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