DHS awards $2.3M for USFA media support to Magnum Multimedia, Inc. under sole-source contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,346,592 ($2.3M)
Contractor: Magnum Multimedia, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2021-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA PRODUCTION CENTER (PMPC) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA)
Place of Performance
Location: EMMITSBURG, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21727
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.3 million to MAGNUM MULTIMEDIA, INC. for work described as: PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA PRODUCTION CENTER (PMPC) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition. 2. Pricing appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and duration. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. Sector is graphic design services, supporting the US Fire Administration.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's fixed-price structure and duration suggest a reasonable overall value. Benchmarking against similar graphic design services contracts would provide further assurance, but the $2.3M for 5 years is within a plausible range for specialized support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded sole-source. This limits price discovery and may result in less favorable pricing than a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition, though the fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty.
Public Impact
Ensures continued support for the U.S. Fire Administration's vital communication needs. Magnum Multimedia, Inc. will provide essential graphic design and media production. Contract duration of 5 years offers stability for PMPC operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
- Lack of SAP competition raises concerns about price discovery.
- Contract duration could lock in potentially non-optimal pricing.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Supports critical functions of the U.S. Fire Administration.
- Experienced vendor likely to deliver quality services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Graphic Design Services sector (NAICS 541430). Spending in this area supports government communication and public outreach efforts. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and value for taxpayer dollars. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should monitor performance and vendor costs.
Related Government Programs
- Graphic Design Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs due to limited market vetting.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
graphic-design-services, department-of-homeland-security, md, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.3 million to MAGNUM MULTIMEDIA, INC.. PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA PRODUCTION CENTER (PMPC) SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION (USFA)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MAGNUM MULTIMEDIA, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What was the justification for the sole-source award, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. Agencies must document this justification thoroughly. Without this documentation, it's difficult to assess if competitive options were adequately explored or if this was the most cost-effective approach for the government.
How does the per-unit cost or hourly rate compare to industry standards for similar graphic design and media production services?
The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or hourly rates, making a direct comparison difficult. The total contract value of $2.3M over five years averages to $460,000 annually. While this provides a general scale, a detailed analysis would require breaking down the services and comparing them to market rates for comparable government or commercial contracts.
What performance metrics are in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the PMPC support services?
The data does not specify the performance metrics or quality assurance surveillance plans (QASP) for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined deliverables, service level agreements, and regular performance reviews to ensure Magnum Multimedia, Inc. is meeting the U.S. Fire Administration's needs and delivering high-quality media production services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Specialized Design Services › Graphic Design Services
Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 70FA2021Q00000036
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Magnum Multimedia Inc.
Address: 13800 COPPERMINE RD STE 310, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,536,090
Exercised Options: $2,536,090
Current Obligation: $2,346,592
Actual Outlays: $1,203,652
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-07
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