DHS FEMA awards $12.7M to Wunderman Thompson for Public Relations Agencies services over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,667,803 ($12.7M)

Contractor: Wunderman Thompson LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2006-04-21

End Date: 2011-11-16

Contract Duration: 2,035 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30328

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.7 million to WUNDERMAN THOMPSON LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract value of $12.7M is significant for public relations services. 2. Competition details are not fully available, impacting price discovery assessment. 3. Potential risks include the long duration and lack of clear competition. 4. The sector is professional services, specifically public relations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $12.7M over 5 years suggests an average annual spend of $2.5M. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks for public relations services of this scale, it's difficult to definitively assess value. The lack of reported award price for the BPA complicates direct comparison.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was awarded as a BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement), but the specific competition method used for this task order is not detailed. The lack of transparency regarding competition makes it hard to determine if fair and reasonable pricing was achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is $12.7M, allocated over five years for public relations services. The effectiveness and efficiency of these services in achieving FEMA's mission goals will ultimately determine the true taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Public relations services are crucial for government agencies to communicate effectively with the public, especially during emergencies. The long-term nature of the contract could indicate a sustained need for these services by FEMA. Transparency in how this significant amount is spent on PR campaigns and their measurable outcomes is important for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition information
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics
Unclear specific deliverables for the awarded amount

Positive Signals

Awarded to a known entity in the advertising/marketing space
Potential for sustained government communication support

Sector Analysis

The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) encompasses firms that specialize in developing, creating, and implementing public relations campaigns. Government spending in this area supports communication, outreach, and crisis management efforts. Benchmarks for large-scale, multi-year PR contracts are highly variable based on scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the scope or nature of the services required may have favored larger, established firms, potentially limiting opportunities for small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA suggests an established framework for procurement. However, the lack of detailed reporting on competition and specific task order performance raises questions about the level of oversight applied to this particular award and its subsequent task orders.

Related Government Programs

Public Relations Agencies
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of transparency in competition
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics
Potential for vendor lock-in
Absence of small business participation
Unclear specific deliverables for the awarded amount

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.7 million to WUNDERMAN THOMPSON LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WUNDERMAN THOMPSON LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-04-21. End: 2011-11-16.

What specific public relations outcomes or metrics were expected for the $12.7M award, and how were they measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

The provided data does not specify the expected outcomes or performance metrics for this $12.7M contract. To assess value, a review of the task order's statement of work, performance reports, and any associated deliverables would be necessary. Without this, it's impossible to confirm if the funds were used effectively to achieve FEMA's public relations objectives.

Given the 5-year duration and lack of reported competition, what are the primary risks associated with this contract regarding potential cost overruns or reduced service quality?

The primary risks include potential complacency from the contractor due to the long duration and lack of demonstrated competition for this specific task order, which could lead to inflated costs or diminished service quality over time. Without competitive pressure, there's less incentive for the contractor to innovate or offer the most cost-effective solutions.

How does this contract align with FEMA's overall communication strategy, and what evidence exists to demonstrate its effectiveness in supporting FEMA's mission?

The data does not provide information on how this contract aligns with FEMA's broader communication strategy or evidence of its effectiveness. A thorough analysis would require examining FEMA's strategic communication plans, the specific objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work, and independent assessments of the impact of the public relations efforts undertaken.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Contractor Details

Parent Company: WPP PLC (UEI: 232931092)

Address: 10 GLENLAKE PKWY NE B, ATLANTA, GA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,631,447

Exercised Options: $37,631,447

Current Obligation: $12,667,803

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: EMW2003BP0438

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline