HHS awards $20.5M for drug overdose campaign research, with 2 bidders competing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,494,440 ($20.5M)
Contractor: Brunet-Garcia Advertising LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-09-30
End Date: 2026-03-29
Contract Duration: 1,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: DRUG OVERDOSE CAMPAIGN RESEARCH
Place of Performance
Location: JACKSONVILLE, DUVAL County, FLORIDA, 32204
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.5 million to BRUNET-GARCIA ADVERTISING LLC for work described as: DRUG OVERDOSE CAMPAIGN RESEARCH Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of a national public health campaign. 2. Competition dynamics show a moderate level of engagement with two bidders. 3. Risk indicators are low due to a firm-fixed-price contract and clear deliverables. 4. Performance context is a multi-year campaign requiring sustained effort. 5. Sector positioning is within public health communication and advertising services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.5 million for a multi-year drug overdose campaign research initiative seems reasonable. Benchmarking against similar large-scale public health communication campaigns suggests this is within the expected range. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it may limit flexibility if campaign needs evolve significantly. The pricing appears to be a result of a competed process, which generally supports fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was likely a smaller, more streamlined procurement process. With two bidders, the competition level is moderate, suggesting some market interest but not a broad, open competition. This level of competition can still yield competitive pricing, but it might not explore the full range of market capabilities or drive prices as low as a larger, more open solicitation.
Taxpayer Impact: A moderate competition level means taxpayers likely received a fair price, but there may have been opportunities for even greater savings with broader outreach to potential contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the public, who will receive information and resources aimed at preventing drug overdoses. Services delivered include research, strategy development, and potentially campaign execution for public health messaging. The geographic impact is national, targeting communities across the United States affected by the opioid crisis. Workforce implications may include employment in advertising, public health, research, and related creative industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if campaign objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for a critical public health message could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Multi-year duration allows for sustained campaign impact and relationship building.
- Competition, even if limited, suggests a degree of market validation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Marketing Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on public health campaigns. The market for such services is substantial, encompassing advertising agencies, research firms, and communication specialists. Comparable spending benchmarks for national health initiatives vary widely but often involve multi-million dollar investments. This contract represents a significant investment in addressing a critical public health issue through strategic communication.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if this contract included specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the nature of the services (marketing and research), it's possible that larger firms may be prime contractors, potentially utilizing small businesses for specialized tasks. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program office responsible for the drug overdose campaign. Accountability measures would be tied to contract deliverables, performance metrics, and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific campaign details and research findings may have varying levels of public disclosure.
Related Government Programs
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) programs
- Public health awareness campaigns (e.g., anti-smoking, HIV prevention)
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition impacting price discovery.
- Risk of scope creep in a multi-year research and campaign initiative.
Tags
health, public-health, drug-overdose, campaign, research, advertising, marketing-consulting, department-of-health-and-human-services, centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention, competed, firm-fixed-price, florida
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.5 million to BRUNET-GARCIA ADVERTISING LLC. DRUG OVERDOSE CAMPAIGN RESEARCH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRUNET-GARCIA ADVERTISING LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-03-29.
What is the specific nature of the 'research' being conducted for the drug overdose campaign?
The 'research' component of this contract likely involves formative research to understand target audiences, identify effective messaging strategies, and assess potential communication channels for a drug overdose prevention campaign. This could include qualitative studies (focus groups, interviews) and quantitative surveys to inform campaign design. It may also involve pre-testing of campaign materials and post-campaign evaluation to measure reach and impact. The specific research methodologies and objectives would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).
How does the $20.5 million award compare to typical spending on similar public health communication campaigns?
The $20.5 million award for a national drug overdose campaign research initiative is substantial but falls within the expected range for large-scale public health communication efforts. Campaigns addressing major public health crises, such as HIV/AIDS prevention, anti-smoking initiatives, or pandemic response, often command budgets in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifespan. The 'research' aspect suggests a significant investment in evidence-based strategy development, which is crucial for campaign effectiveness. Compared to smaller, localized campaigns, this federal award indicates a national scope and a comprehensive approach.
What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for a research and advertising campaign?
While a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract offers cost certainty, potential risks for a research and advertising campaign include scope creep and inflexibility. If the campaign's objectives or research needs evolve significantly during the contract period, the FFP structure might make it challenging and costly to adapt without formal modifications. The contractor may also be incentivized to deliver the minimum required to meet the fixed price, potentially impacting the quality or innovation of the research and creative output if not carefully managed through performance monitoring. Conversely, if the scope is underestimated by the contractor, they might incur losses.
What does the 'Marketing Consulting Services' NAICS code (541613) typically encompass in federal contracting?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541613, 'Marketing Consulting Services,' encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing expertise in the field of advertising and marketing. This includes activities such as developing marketing strategies, conducting market research, creating advertising campaigns, media planning and buying, public relations, and brand management. Federal agencies utilize these services to promote public health initiatives, inform citizens about government programs, conduct public awareness campaigns, and manage their public image.
What is the significance of the contract being 'COMPETED UNDER SAP'?
The designation 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' signifies that the contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). SAP is designed for procurements of supplies or services expected to cost less than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000, though this can be higher for certain types of procurements or agencies). However, agencies can use SAP for procurements up to $8.5 million (or $13 million for certain construction). The fact that this $20.5 million contract was competed under SAP suggests it might have been structured in a way that allowed for simplified procedures, possibly through multiple calls against a contract vehicle or specific agency flexibilities, or that the initial estimate was lower. It implies a less formal and potentially faster procurement process than full and open competition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Marketing Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 75D301-21-Q-73408
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1510 HENDRICKS AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32207
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,494,440
Exercised Options: $20,494,440
Current Obligation: $20,494,440
Actual Outlays: $19,640,379
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSD2002015M88153B
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-03-29
Potential End Date: 2026-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-05
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