DHS's $14.4M Advertising Contract with Qnexis, Inc. Awarded Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,385,260 ($14.4M)
Contractor: Qnexis, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2009-09-30
End Date: 2015-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,191 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20165, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.4 million to QNEXIS, INC. for work described as: ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract for advertising and marketing services was awarded to Qnexis, Inc. for $14.4 million. 2. It was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. The contract duration was 2191 days, spanning from 2009 to 2015. 4. The sector is primarily IT/Services, given the nature of advertising and marketing agencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $14.4 million over six years averages to approximately $2.4 million annually. Benchmarking against similar advertising contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the annual spend appears moderate for a federal agency.
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.' This suggests that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been initially excluded before the final award, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, though the specific value for money achieved is not detailed here.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded advertising and marketing services for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The contract supported agency outreach and public information campaigns. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
- Contract duration may not reflect evolving market needs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract value is spread over a significant period.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically advertising and marketing agencies. Federal spending in this area supports agency communication and public relations efforts. Benchmarks for this sector vary widely based on agency size and campaign scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were provided to small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers ensuring deliverables meet requirements and adhere to federal regulations.
Related Government Programs
- Advertising Agencies
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed service description.
- Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' impact.
- No performance or effectiveness metrics provided.
- Contract duration is lengthy.
- No indication of small business subcontracting.
Tags
advertising-agencies, department-of-homeland-security, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.4 million to QNEXIS, INC.. ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is QNEXIS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $14.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2015-09-30.
What was the specific nature of the advertising and marketing services provided under this contract?
The provided data identifies the contract as 'ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES' with the NAICS code 541810 for Advertising Agencies. However, it does not detail the specific campaigns, media channels, or creative work undertaken. Understanding the scope of services is crucial for a comprehensive value assessment.
How did the 'exclusion of sources' impact the competitive landscape and final pricing?
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open competition' award suggests that while the competition was broadly open, certain potential bidders were disqualified upfront. This could limit the number of competitive offers received, potentially affecting the downward pressure on pricing and the ultimate value achieved for taxpayers.
Were there measurable outcomes or effectiveness metrics tied to the advertising campaigns funded by this contract?
The data does not include information on performance metrics or the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns. Assessing the return on investment for the $14.4 million spent requires data on campaign reach, engagement, and any resulting impact on agency mission objectives, which is absent here.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Advertising Agencies
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HSBP1009R2185
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 505 HUNTMAR PARK DR 220, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,685,705
Exercised Options: $14,385,260
Current Obligation: $14,385,260
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-30
Current End Date: 2015-09-30
Potential End Date: 2015-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-09-16
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