DHS Awards $31M Strategic Communications Task Order to LEMPUGH INC Under GSA AIMS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,973,060 ($31.0M)

Contractor: Lempugh Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2025-03-29

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ZERO DOLLAR PR IS TO PROVIDE ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTS TO OPO TO AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER GSA AIMS FOR THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR A 12-MON

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $31.0 million to LEMPUGH INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS ZERO DOLLAR PR IS TO PROVIDE ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTS TO OPO TO AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER GSA AIMS FOR THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR A 12-MON Key points: 1. Contract awarded for strategic communications and support services. 2. Estimated value of $30.97 million over 12 months. 3. Procurement falls under GSA AIMS for the External Affairs Office. 4. Competition type is Full and Open, suggesting broad market access.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $30.97 million for a 12-month period appears substantial for strategic communications support. Benchmarking against similar GSA AIMS task orders would be necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.

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 competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for strategic communications, a critical function for government agencies. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Enhances the External Affairs Office's ability to conduct strategic communications. Supports critical messaging and outreach efforts for the Department of Homeland Security. Leverages GSA AIMS, a government-wide contract vehicle, for efficient procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in strategic communications tasks.
Reliance on a single task order for a significant function.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process.
Utilizes an established government-wide contract vehicle (GSA AIMS).
Clear purpose for strategic communications support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Advertising Agencies (NAICS 541810) sector. Spending in this sector by federal agencies is common for public outreach, campaign management, and strategic messaging.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the prime contractor is a large business.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Office of Procurement Operations within the Department of Homeland Security. Oversight would involve monitoring performance, adherence to contract terms, and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Advertising Agencies
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed.
Effectiveness of strategic communication outcomes is not explicitly defined.
Limited visibility into small business subcontracting opportunities.
Reliance on a single task order for a critical function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $31.0 million to LEMPUGH INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ZERO DOLLAR PR IS TO PROVIDE ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTS TO OPO TO AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER GSA AIMS FOR THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ESTIMATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR A 12-MON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEMPUGH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $31.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2025-03-29.

What specific deliverables and performance metrics are included in the task order to ensure effective strategic communications support?

The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or performance metrics. A thorough review of the full task order document is required to assess how effectiveness will be measured and ensure accountability for the $30.97 million investment. This includes defining key performance indicators (KPIs) related to message reach, public engagement, and strategic objective alignment.

How does the pricing structure compare to industry benchmarks for similar strategic communications services, considering the labor hours (PT) contract type?

Benchmarking the labor hour rates against industry standards for strategic communications professionals with comparable experience is crucial. Given the $30.97 million value, understanding the average hourly rates and total hours estimated is key to assessing value. Without specific rate details, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the overall value suggests a significant scope of work.

What is the potential impact on taxpayer value if the awarded vendor's strategic communication strategies do not achieve the desired outreach or engagement goals?

If the strategies are ineffective, taxpayer value is diminished through wasted expenditure on services that fail to meet objectives. This could necessitate additional funding for corrective actions or alternative approaches. Robust performance monitoring and clear exit clauses within the contract are vital to mitigate this risk and ensure accountability for results.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Advertising 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: 70RCSA21Q00000083

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14409 GREENVIEW DR, LAUREL, MD, 20708

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,515,087

Exercised Options: $30,973,060

Current Obligation: $30,973,060

Actual Outlays: $24,922,230

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0086T

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline