HHS awards $29.8M to Scientific Consulting Group for Public Relations, full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,837,650 ($29.8M)

Contractor: Scientific Consulting Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2018-07-30

End Date: 2023-12-27

Contract Duration: 1,976 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [18-003815]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $29.8 million to SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [18-003815] Key points: 1. The contract value of $29.8M over 5 years is substantial for public relations services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market, but specific benchmarks are needed. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk for the government. 4. This spending falls within the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $29.8M over approximately 5 years averages to about $5.9M annually. Without specific benchmarks for public relations services at this scale, it's difficult to definitively assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating multiple bidders participated. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment for service providers.

Public Impact

Public relations services are crucial for government agency communication and public outreach. The long-term nature of the contract suggests ongoing needs for these services. NIH's reliance on external firms for PR highlights potential gaps in internal capabilities or specialized needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in long-term public relations contracts.
Dependence on a single firm for critical communication functions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically Public Relations Agencies (NAICS 541820). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs for communication, research, and consulting.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services (NIH), suggesting established procurement processes. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers monitoring performance and adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

Public Relations Agencies
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed service description.
Absence of performance metrics.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Limited visibility into subcontractor utilization.
High annual contract value requires robust oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $29.8 million to SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC. SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC:1108176 [18-003815]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-07-30. End: 2023-12-27.

What specific public relations services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with NIH's strategic communication goals?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact services. Public relations can encompass media relations, strategic communication planning, crisis communication, digital engagement, and content creation. Understanding NIH's communication objectives is key to assessing if these services are appropriately tailored and contribute effectively to their mission.

Are there any performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract to measure the effectiveness of the public relations efforts?

The provided data does not include information on performance metrics or KPIs. Effective public relations contracts typically include measurable outcomes such as media mentions, sentiment analysis, website traffic, or engagement rates. The absence of such details makes it challenging to objectively evaluate the contractor's performance and the value delivered.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar public relations contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable services?

Benchmarking this contract's annual cost of approximately $5.9M requires access to detailed data on similar contracts. Factors like scope, duration, agency size, and specific service requirements influence pricing. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing contract databases for agencies with similar communication needs and service levels.

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 656 QUINCE ORCHARD RD STE 210, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,837,650

Exercised Options: $29,837,650

Current Obligation: $29,837,650

Actual Outlays: $14,169,797

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F431AA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline