FEMA awards $28.9M task order to YES& FEDERAL, LLC for NFIP communications support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,920,843 ($28.9M)

Contractor: YES& Federal, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2024-12-31

Contract Duration: 458 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER 5 -NFIP COMMUNICATIONS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER AWARD AGAINST FEMA NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS BPA NO. 70FA6020A00000002 IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT SUPPORT IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, OU

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.9 million to YES& FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER 5 -NFIP COMMUNICATIONS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER AWARD AGAINST FEMA NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS BPA NO. 70FA6020A00000002 IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT SUPPORT IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, OU Key points: 1. The contract focuses on expert support for the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) communications and marketing efforts. 2. Awarded under a broader BPA, this task order represents a significant investment in public outreach for a critical federal program. 3. The firm fixed-price structure suggests a defined scope and budget, potentially mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance is expected over approximately 15 months, indicating a medium-term engagement for communication services. 5. The contract's value is substantial within the advertising and marketing services sector for federal agencies. 6. The geographic focus is Washington D.C., aligning with federal agency operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The task order value of $28.9 million for a 15-month period for communications support appears reasonable given the scope of the NFIP. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal communication contracts, this value aligns with specialized agency support. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined and managed effectively. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price seems competitive for expert-level support in a complex program area.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition BPA (70FA6020A00000002). While the specific number of bidders for this particular task order is not detailed, the underlying BPA's competitive nature suggests that multiple vendors were considered. Full and open competition generally leads to a wider pool of potential offerors and encourages competitive pricing, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition for this task order ensures that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the public, who will receive enhanced information and outreach regarding flood insurance and risk. The services delivered will encompass all aspects of communications and marketing for the NFIP. The geographic impact is national, as the NFIP serves individuals and communities across the United States. This contract supports the workforce within the advertising and marketing sector, particularly at YES& FEDERAL, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if communication needs evolve beyond initial planning.
Dependence on contractor's ability to effectively reach diverse national audiences.
Ensuring consistent messaging across various communication channels.
Measuring the true impact and effectiveness of communication campaigns.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitively sourced BPA.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Focus on expert support for a critical national program.
Clear performance period (end date specified).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Advertising Agencies (NAICS 541810) sector, a segment of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The federal government is a significant consumer of advertising and marketing services to inform the public, promote programs, and manage public perception. Spending in this sector is influenced by agency needs for outreach, public awareness campaigns, and crisis communications. The NFIP, managed by FEMA, requires substantial communication efforts due to its national scope and the importance of flood insurance.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. As a task order under a larger BPA, the subcontracting implications would depend on the terms of the BPA itself and YES& FEDERAL, LLC's approach. Without further details on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though larger prime contracts can sometimes lead to opportunities for specialized small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Accountability will be measured by the contractor's ability to meet the communication and marketing objectives outlined in the task order. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
FEMA Public Awareness Campaigns
Federal Communications Contracts
Marketing and Advertising Services
Department of Homeland Security Communications

Risk Flags

Potential for communication effectiveness measurement challenges.
Risk of scope expansion beyond initial definition.
Dependence on contractor's specialized expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.9 million to YES& FEDERAL, LLC. TASK ORDER 5 -NFIP COMMUNICATIONS THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER AWARD AGAINST FEMA NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP) CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS BPA NO. 70FA6020A00000002 IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT SUPPORT IN ALL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATIONS, MARKETING, OU

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YES& FEDERAL, LLC.

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 $28.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2024-12-31.

What is the track record of YES& FEDERAL, LLC in supporting federal communications contracts, particularly for large-scale public programs?

YES& FEDERAL, LLC has a history of working with federal agencies on communications and marketing initiatives. While specific details on their past performance for programs of the NFIP's scale are not provided in this data snippet, their award on this task order suggests they met FEMA's requirements for expertise and capability. Further analysis would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations, contract history with similar agencies (e.g., other DHS components, HHS, GSA), and the complexity of previous campaigns they have managed. Understanding their experience with public outreach, risk communication, and stakeholder engagement for government programs would provide a clearer picture of their suitability for this role.

How does the $28.9 million value compare to similar federal communications contracts awarded in recent years?

The $28.9 million value for a 15-month task order focused on comprehensive communications and marketing for a major federal program like the NFIP appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal support. Large-scale public awareness campaigns, crisis communications, and program promotion often require significant investment. For context, other federal agencies have awarded contracts in the tens of millions for similar services, especially those involving national reach and complex messaging. Benchmarking against contracts for agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for public health campaigns or the Department of Defense (DoD) for recruitment and public affairs could provide more precise comparisons. The firm fixed-price nature also suggests a defined scope, which influences the overall cost.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include potential scope creep if the NFIP's communication needs expand beyond the initial definition, challenges in effectively reaching diverse national audiences with tailored messaging, and difficulties in accurately measuring the impact and ROI of communication efforts. Another risk is the reliance on the contractor's expertise and performance. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by FEMA, clear definition and monitoring of communication objectives, regular performance reviews, and potentially phased communication planning. The firm fixed-price structure inherently mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-managed. Contractor selection based on demonstrated experience in similar federal communication efforts also serves as a risk mitigation factor.

How effective is the current NFIP communication strategy, and how is this contract expected to improve it?

The effectiveness of the current NFIP communication strategy is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this task order signifies FEMA's intent to enhance or maintain robust communication efforts for the program. This contract is expected to improve NFIP communications by providing expert support across all aspects of marketing and outreach. This could involve developing new campaign strategies, refining messaging for different demographics, leveraging a wider range of communication channels (digital, traditional media, community outreach), and improving data analytics to better understand audience engagement and campaign impact. The goal is likely to increase public awareness of flood risks, promote flood insurance uptake, and ensure policyholders are well-informed.

What has been the historical federal spending on NFIP communications or similar disaster preparedness outreach programs?

Historical federal spending on NFIP communications and similar disaster preparedness outreach programs can vary significantly year-to-year based on program needs, legislative changes, and the occurrence of major events. While specific historical figures for NFIP communications are not in this data snippet, FEMA and other agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA consistently allocate funds for public awareness, education, and outreach related to natural disasters and preparedness. These expenditures often span marketing, public relations, digital content creation, and community engagement. Analyzing past FEMA budgets and contract awards related to public affairs and program promotion would reveal trends and the typical scale of investment in such critical communication functions.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

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: $28,920,843

Exercised Options: $28,920,843

Current Obligation: $28,920,843

Actual Outlays: $28,920,843

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70FA6020A00000002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline