DOE awards $1.9M for strategic engagement and outreach support to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,915,402 ($1.9M)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-12-30
End Date: 2026-12-30
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.2K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ORDER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) OFFICE OF CRITICAL MINERALS AND ENERGY INNOVATION (CMEI), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS), OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15203
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $1.9 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: ORDER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) OFFICE OF CRITICAL MINERALS AND ENERGY INNOVATION (CMEI), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS), OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on strategic engagement and outreach for the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation. 2. Awarded to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC., a firm with a specific niche in public relations. 3. The contract duration is 365 days, indicating a short-term need for specialized support. 4. This award represents a small portion of the Department of Energy's overall budget. 5. The Public Relations Agencies sector is characterized by specialized service providers. 6. Performance is in Pennsylvania, suggesting a localized operational focus for this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $1.9 million for 365 days of strategic engagement and outreach support appears within a reasonable range for specialized public relations services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for strategic communications and public affairs support indicates that the pricing is competitive, especially considering the niche focus on critical minerals and energy innovation. However, without detailed task breakdowns and labor rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a streamlined process for smaller procurements. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP generally encourages broad competition. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple firms were likely considered, leading to a more competitive pricing environment and a better selection of qualified vendors. The use of SAP indicates that the procurement was likely managed efficiently, balancing the need for competition with administrative ease.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even under SAP, suggests that taxpayers benefited from a competitive process that likely drove down costs and ensured the selection of a capable contractor for essential outreach services.
Public Impact
The Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) will benefit from enhanced strategic engagement and outreach. The public will be better informed about the DOE's initiatives in critical minerals and energy innovation. Support services will likely involve communication strategy development, media relations, and stakeholder engagement. The contract's impact on the workforce is likely limited to the personnel employed by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited public information on contractor's prior federal performance in this specific niche.
- The short duration of the contract may indicate a need for ongoing re-competition or potential instability.
- Reliance on a single firm for critical outreach could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- The contract was competed, indicating a selection process based on merit and price.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- The contractor specializes in public relations, suggesting relevant expertise for the task.
Sector Analysis
The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) encompasses firms that provide specialized communication services to clients. This contract fits within the broader government contracting landscape for professional services, specifically focusing on strategic communications and public affairs. The Department of Energy's need for outreach in critical minerals and energy innovation highlights the sector's role in supporting complex scientific and policy initiatives. Comparable spending in this sector often involves public awareness campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and strategic messaging for government agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no specific subcontracting requirements were mandated. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. However, the prime contractor, RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not explicitly stated in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Energy, likely through a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) who will monitor performance and ensure compliance with the contract terms. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where award details are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Strategic Communications
- Public Relations Services
- Energy Innovation Outreach
- Critical Minerals Policy Support
- Government Public Affairs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is short (1 year), potentially requiring follow-on actions or re-competition.
- Limited public information on contractor's specific experience in the critical minerals and energy innovation domain.
Tags
department-of-energy, strategic-engagement, outreach-support, public-relations, critical-minerals, energy-innovation, firm-fixed-price, simplified-acquisition-procedures, competed, professional-services, pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $1.9 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. ORDER FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) OFFICE OF CRITICAL MINERALS AND ENERGY INNOVATION (CMEI), STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS), OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR SCIENCE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-30. End: 2026-12-30.
What is the track record of RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. with federal contracts, particularly in the energy sector?
A review of federal procurement data indicates that RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. has received federal contracts primarily in the public relations and communications domain. While specific details on their past performance within the energy sector or for the Department of Energy are not extensively detailed in this summary, their award for strategic engagement and outreach support suggests they possess the requisite capabilities. Further analysis would involve examining contract performance reports (if available) and their broader portfolio of work to ascertain their experience level and success rate in similar government engagements. Their specialization in public relations is a positive indicator for this specific task.
How does the $1.9 million contract value compare to similar government contracts for strategic engagement and outreach?
The $1.9 million contract value for 365 days of strategic engagement and outreach support appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized public relations and communications services procured by the federal government. Contracts of this nature, especially those requiring niche expertise like critical minerals and energy innovation, can vary significantly. However, benchmark data for similar professional services contracts awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) often fall within this magnitude. The firm fixed-price structure also suggests that the government has negotiated a set cost, which aids in budget predictability. Without access to detailed task orders and labor rates, a precise comparison is difficult, but the overall value seems aligned with market rates for such specialized support.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor in delivering effective strategic engagement and outreach, and the risk of the contractor's expertise not fully aligning with the highly technical nature of critical minerals and energy innovation. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and deliver within scope. The Department of Energy's oversight, likely through a COR, will monitor performance against contract requirements. Furthermore, the fact that the contract was competed under full and open procedures suggests a thorough vetting process to select a capable vendor. However, the short duration could also pose a risk if continuity of service is critical.
How effective is the competition level for this contract in ensuring value for taxpayers?
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which, while streamlined, still allows for full and open competition. This competitive process is generally effective in ensuring value for taxpayers by fostering price discovery and encouraging multiple vendors to submit proposals. The presence of competition typically drives down costs and leads to the selection of a contractor offering the best combination of price and technical capability. While SAP may involve fewer bidders than larger, full-scale competitive procurements, it is designed to provide adequate competition for procurements of this size and value, thus serving taxpayer interests.
What is the historical spending pattern for strategic engagement and outreach support services within the Department of Energy?
Historical spending patterns for strategic engagement and outreach support services within the Department of Energy (DOE) can be varied, reflecting the diverse missions across its various offices. The DOE frequently procures services related to public affairs, communications, stakeholder engagement, and outreach to support its research, development, and policy initiatives. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on specific program needs, legislative mandates, and public engagement priorities. Awards like this one, for specialized support in areas like critical minerals, indicate a targeted approach to communication rather than a broad, consistent spending pattern across all outreach activities. Analyzing historical data for NAICS code 541820 (Public Relations Agencies) within the DOE would provide a clearer picture of trends and typical contract values.
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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2325 E CARSON ST FL 2, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15203
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: $1,915,804
Exercised Options: $1,915,804
Current Obligation: $1,915,402
Actual Outlays: $81,844
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-30
Current End Date: 2026-12-30
Potential End Date: 2026-12-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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