HHS awards $3.2M media monitoring contract to 1 Sync Technologies LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,196,788 ($3.2M)

Contractor: 1 Sync Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-03-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 913 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CUSTOMIZED MEDIA MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.2 million to 1 SYNC TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: CUSTOMIZED MEDIA MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.2M over approximately 2.5 years suggests a moderate investment in media intelligence. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which can drive better pricing. 3. The contract's fixed-price nature shifts performance risk to the contractor, incentivizing efficient service delivery. 4. Service category (Custom Computer Programming Services) aligns with the need for tailored media analysis solutions. 5. The award to a single entity suggests a focus on specialized capabilities rather than broad market engagement. 6. Geographic location of the agency (District of Columbia) is noted, though service delivery is likely remote.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.2 million over 913 days averages approximately $3,500 per day for customized media monitoring and analysis. Benchmarking this against similar government contracts for media intelligence services is challenging without more specific scope details. However, the fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor is expected to deliver the defined services within this budget. The number of bids received (2) is on the lower side for a full and open competition, which might warrant a closer look at pricing competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. Only two bids were received, which is a relatively low number for this type of competition. While the process itself is designed to foster competition, the limited number of bidders could suggest potential barriers to entry, a niche market, or perhaps that the solicitation was highly specific. This level of competition may not have driven the most aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A low number of bidders in a full and open competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing possible. While the process was open, the limited response suggests that the government might not have secured the best value through robust price discovery.

Public Impact

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration within HHS is the primary beneficiary, gaining access to critical media intelligence. The service delivered is customized media monitoring and analysis, likely supporting public affairs, strategic communications, and risk assessment. The geographic impact is primarily national, focusing on media coverage relevant to the Department of Health and Human Services. Workforce implications are minimal for the government, as the service is outsourced, but the contractor will utilize its own personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bids) could indicate potential for higher costs than if more vendors had participated.
The specific nature of 'customized' services makes direct cost comparisons difficult without detailed scope.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical media intelligence raises concerns about vendor lock-in and future price increases.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition process, in principle, allows for broad market participation.
Fixed-price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
The contract duration of over two years provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The market for media monitoring and analysis services is diverse, ranging from large, established firms to specialized boutique providers. Government agencies increasingly rely on these services to track public sentiment, monitor news coverage, identify emerging issues, and manage their public image. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for timely and actionable intelligence in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact scope and depth of analysis required, but contracts of this size are common for comprehensive, ongoing monitoring.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to 1 Sync Technologies LLC, a single entity, does not provide direct opportunities for small business participation through this specific contract vehicle. Further analysis would be needed to determine if 1 Sync Technologies LLC itself is a small business or if they engage small businesses in their broader operations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer and program managers within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. Accountability is managed through the terms of the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to meet defined service levels and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but detailed performance metrics and reporting are usually internal to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Government-wide IT Professional Services
Public Relations and Communications Services
Information Dissemination Services
Market Research and Analysis Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined
Contractor performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.2 million to 1 SYNC TECHNOLOGIES LLC. CUSTOMIZED MEDIA MONITORING AND ANALYSIS SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is 1 SYNC TECHNOLOGIES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of 1 Sync Technologies LLC in performing similar media monitoring and analysis services for federal agencies?

Information regarding 1 Sync Technologies LLC's specific track record with federal agencies for media monitoring and analysis is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on similar government contracts. Without this data, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this specific HHS requirement. Further investigation into federal procurement databases and past performance information repositories would be necessary to provide a detailed answer.

How does the average daily cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar media monitoring services?

The contract averages approximately $3,500 per day ($3.2M / 913 days). Benchmarking this against industry standards is complex as 'customized media monitoring and analysis' can encompass a wide range of services, from basic news aggregation to sophisticated sentiment analysis, competitive intelligence, and crisis communication support. For basic news clipping services, this daily rate might be high. However, if the service includes in-depth analysis, custom reporting, advanced analytics, and dedicated account management for a broad scope of media (traditional, social, international), the rate could be competitive or even low. A precise comparison requires a detailed scope of work and comparison with similar government or large enterprise contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Health and Human Services?

The primary risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to incomplete or inaccurate media intelligence, which could impact strategic decision-making. Given the limited competition (two bidders), there's a risk that the pricing may not reflect the best possible value, potentially leading to higher costs over the contract's duration. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on the contractor's specific systems and expertise, making future transitions difficult or costly. Finally, data security and privacy risks associated with handling potentially sensitive media information must be managed.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' strategy likely to be given only two bids were received?

The effectiveness of 'full and open competition' is diminished when only two bids are received. While the process itself is designed to maximize competition, a low number of responses suggests that either the market for this specific service is small, the requirements were highly specialized and deterred broader participation, or the solicitation was not widely disseminated or attractive. This limited competition reduces the pressure on pricing and may mean that HHS did not achieve the full benefit of a robustly competitive bidding environment, potentially resulting in a less favorable price or less innovation compared to a scenario with multiple bidders.

What is the historical spending pattern for media monitoring and analysis services within HHS or similar agencies?

Historical spending data for media monitoring and analysis services within HHS or similar agencies is not provided. To establish a pattern, one would need to analyze past contracts for these services over several fiscal years. Key metrics to examine would include the number and value of contracts awarded, the types of services procured (e.g., basic monitoring vs. advanced analytics), the primary contractors, and the competition levels. Understanding historical spending helps in evaluating the current contract's value, identifying trends, and forecasting future needs and budget requirements.

What are the implications of the firm-fixed-price contract type on service quality and cost control?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type places the primary responsibility for cost control and performance risk on the contractor, 1 Sync Technologies LLC. This means the contractor is obligated to perform the specified services for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. For HHS, this generally offers good cost predictability and reduces the financial risk associated with cost overruns. It incentivizes the contractor to be efficient and manage their resources effectively to maintain profitability. However, it can also lead to potential risks if the scope is not clearly defined, as the contractor may be tempted to cut corners on quality to meet the fixed price, or conversely, seek change orders if unforeseen complexities arise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8150 OLD FEDERAL RD, MONTGOMERY, AL, 36117

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,116,235

Exercised Options: $3,196,788

Current Obligation: $3,196,788

Actual Outlays: $2,411,823

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D00AR

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline