DoD's $11.5M Motion Picture Production Contract Awarded to TOWNE GROUP INC. in 2004

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,519,807 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Towne Group Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2004-11-30

End Date: 2009-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,582 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.5 million to TOWNE GROUP INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.5 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in media production services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract indicates a market where multiple vendors could potentially bid. 3. The duration of the contract (1582 days) points to a long-term need for these services by the Defense Media Activity. 4. The fixed-price contract type likely aimed to control costs and provide predictability for the government. 5. The absence of small business set-aside suggests the scope or nature of the work may not have been specifically tailored for smaller enterprises. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, highlighting its role in supporting military communication and public affairs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or comparable projects. However, an $11.5 million spend over approximately 4.3 years for motion picture and video production services by a major agency like the Department of Defense is substantial. The firm fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to manage costs, but the overall value for money depends heavily on the quality and impact of the produced content, which is not detailed here. Without more context on the scope of work and specific outputs, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represented a competitive price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while the competition was broad, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources initially. However, the 'full and open' aspect suggests that multiple bidders were likely considered. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select from a range of qualified vendors, potentially leading to better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from a wider pool of contractors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are likely the Department of Defense and its various branches, receiving media content for official use. Services delivered include motion picture and video production, crucial for training, public affairs, recruitment, and historical documentation. The geographic impact is national, supporting the communication needs of a federal agency with a global presence. Workforce implications include employment opportunities within TOWNE GROUP INC. and potentially its subcontractors in the media production industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the produced media.
The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced flexibility if needs change significantly over time.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause, even within full and open competition, warrants further investigation into its justification and impact on competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract was awarded to a single entity, TOWNE GROUP INC., suggesting a focused relationship for these specific services.

Sector Analysis

The motion picture and video production industry is a dynamic sector that supports various government functions, including public relations, training, and documentation. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 512110, Motion Picture and Video Production, encompasses establishments primarily engaged in producing motion pictures, videos, and post-production services. Federal spending in this area often supports national security, public outreach, and historical archiving. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and complexity of the productions, but an $11.5 million contract over several years for a major agency like the DoD is significant.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This suggests that the scope of work was likely too large or specialized for typical small business set-aside programs, or that the competition was deemed more appropriate for larger, established firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities for smaller players in the media production ecosystem to participate in this significant federal contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Defense's contracting and financial management regulations. The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) likely played a role in contract administration. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where this award is recorded. Accountability would be tied to the fulfillment of contract terms and deliverables. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Public Affairs Media Production
Federal Government Video Services
Military Training Film Production
Government Communications Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Limited information on specific deliverables and their impact.
Ambiguity surrounding the 'exclusion of sources' justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.5 million to TOWNE GROUP INC.. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOWNE GROUP INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Media Activity).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-11-30. End: 2009-03-31.

What specific types of motion pictures and videos were produced under this contract, and what was their intended audience and impact?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the motion pictures and videos produced. However, given the awarding agency (Department of Defense) and the sector (Motion Picture and Video Production), it is highly probable that the content served official military purposes. This could include training films for personnel, public affairs announcements, recruitment videos, documentaries on military operations, historical records, or internal communication materials. The intended audience would likely range from military personnel and their families to the general public, policymakers, and international allies. Assessing the impact would require analyzing viewership data, feedback, and the achievement of specific communication objectives, none of which are available in the current dataset.

How did the 'exclusion of sources' clause in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award impact the final price and vendor selection?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential bidders were excluded prior to the main solicitation. The reasons for exclusion are not detailed but could stem from specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or national security considerations. The impact on price and vendor selection is complex. On one hand, excluding sources might limit the competitive pool, potentially leading to higher prices if the remaining bidders face less pressure. On the other hand, if the exclusions were based on critical qualifications, it could ensure that only highly capable vendors participated, leading to better quality and reduced risk, which can be a form of value. Without knowing who was excluded and why, it's difficult to definitively state the price impact, but it implies a more curated, rather than completely unfettered, competition.

What was the historical spending pattern for motion picture and video production by the Department of Defense prior to and following this contract?

The provided data only details this specific $11.5 million contract awarded to TOWNE GROUP INC. from 2004 to 2009. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need access to broader contract databases covering the Department of Defense's expenditures in the Motion Picture and Video Production (NAICS 512110) category over a longer period. This would involve analyzing spending trends, identifying other major contractors, and understanding fluctuations in demand for such services. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to establish a comparative spending pattern or identify any significant deviations or trends related to this particular contract.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the 1582-day period of performance for this contract?

The provided data does not include details on contract modifications, performance issues, or disputes related to this award. Typically, such information would be found in more detailed contract files or agency performance reports. A contract duration of over four years (1582 days) often involves modifications to adjust scope, funding, or timelines based on evolving requirements or unforeseen circumstances. The absence of readily available information on issues does not necessarily mean there were none, but rather that this summary-level data does not capture those complexities. Further investigation into contract modification logs or agency records would be necessary to determine if performance issues or significant changes occurred.

How does the $11.5 million total award value compare to other similar contracts for media production services within the federal government during the same period?

Comparing this $11.5 million contract to other federal media production contracts requires a broader dataset of similar awards. However, as a single award of over $11 million to one contractor over approximately 4.3 years, it represents a substantial investment. Federal agencies often procure media production services through various mechanisms, including large-scale contracts, task orders against indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles, and smaller, project-specific awards. The value suggests this contract was significant in scope, potentially covering extensive production needs for the Department of Defense. Without specific comparable contract data (e.g., other DoD media contracts, or contracts from agencies like GSA or other military branches for similar services), a precise benchmark is difficult, but it indicates a major commitment to external media production.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Motion Picture and Video Industries › Motion Picture and Video Production

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7355 HIDDEN COVE, COLUMBIA, MD, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline