DHS awarded $19.9M for direct mail advertising, with CMI Management, LLC as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,892,006 ($19.9M)

Contractor: CMI Management, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-02-01

End Date: 2008-07-29

Contract Duration: 1,274 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.6K/day

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: Other

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.9 million to CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract value of $19.9 million for direct mail advertising services appears substantial, warranting a review of the scope and necessity. 2. Limited competition dynamics may have influenced pricing, as the contract type and duration are not fully detailed. 3. The contract's duration of 1274 days (over 3 years) suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. Performance context is limited without specific deliverables or performance metrics outlined. 5. This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, specifically advertising and marketing. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates a potential lack of focus on small business participation. 7. The contract was awarded under a BPA, which can streamline procurement but may have varying levels of competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $19.9 million contract for direct mail advertising is challenging without detailed service descriptions or performance metrics. Comparing it to similar large-scale advertising campaigns by government agencies would be necessary to assess if the pricing is competitive. The duration of over three years suggests a significant investment, and the value proposition hinges on the effectiveness and reach of the direct mail campaigns executed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level for this contract is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. As it was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), the underlying competition for the BPA itself would need to be examined. The specific competition for this task order or call against the BPA is not clear, making it difficult to assess the number of bidders or the implications for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of clear competition information means taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution if the bidding process was not robust.

Public Impact

Citizens and residents may have been targeted with direct mail communications from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The services delivered likely involved the design, production, and distribution of printed marketing materials. The geographic impact would be nationwide, depending on the target audience for the mailings. Workforce implications are minimal for the government, but the contractor would utilize its own workforce for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding competition level.
Unclear performance metrics make value assessment difficult.
Potential for overspending if competition was limited.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific entity, CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC, indicating a clear vendor relationship.
The contract duration suggests a sustained need and potential for reliable service delivery.
Awarded under a BPA, which can offer efficiency in procurement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader advertising and marketing services sector, a segment that government agencies utilize for public outreach and information dissemination. The market for direct mail advertising is mature, with numerous providers. Government contracts in this space can range from small, targeted campaigns to large, nationwide efforts. Benchmarking would involve comparing the cost per piece, per recipient, or per engagement against industry standards and other government contracts for similar services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement process did not prioritize or mandate the participation of small businesses. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific contract award, and the impact on the small business ecosystem is likely neutral to negative if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and deliverables. Transparency is limited by the available data, particularly concerning the competition and specific performance metrics. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Advertising Contracts
USCIS Public Information Campaigns
Government Direct Mail Services
Federal BPA Awards

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed competition information.
Unclear performance metrics.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.9 million to CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-02-01. End: 2008-07-29.

What was the specific scope of work and deliverables for this direct mail advertising contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work or deliverables for this contract. It is identified under NAICS code 541860 (Direct Mail Advertising), suggesting services related to the creation, production, and distribution of mail pieces. However, without further documentation, it's impossible to know the exact nature of the campaigns, target audiences, or expected outcomes. This lack of detail hinders a thorough assessment of the contract's effectiveness and value for money.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what was the basis for selecting CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC?

The provided data does not specify the number of bids received or the selection criteria for this contract. It was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), which implies that a competitive process may have occurred for the establishment of the BPA itself. However, the competition for this specific task order or call against the BPA is not detailed. Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for assessing whether the government secured the best possible pricing and value.

What is the historical spending pattern for direct mail advertising by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?

The provided data only includes information for this single contract awarded in 2005. To understand historical spending patterns for direct mail advertising by USCIS, a broader dataset encompassing multiple years and contracts would be required. This would allow for an analysis of trends, fluctuations in spending, and the identification of periods with higher or lower investment in such services. Without this broader context, it's difficult to determine if the $19.9 million award represents a typical, increased, or decreased level of spending.

Are there any performance reviews or quality assessments available for CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC's work on this contract?

The provided data does not contain any information regarding performance reviews or quality assessments for CMI MANAGEMENT, LLC's work on this contract. Such assessments are typically documented in contract performance reports or through feedback mechanisms within the contracting agency. The absence of this information makes it impossible to evaluate the contractor's track record and the effectiveness of the services provided under this specific award.

How does the $19.9 million contract value compare to similar direct mail advertising contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the $19.9 million contract value to similar direct mail advertising contracts requires access to a broader database of federal procurements. Without specific details on the scope, duration, and deliverables of this contract, a direct comparison is difficult. However, for a contract spanning over three years, $19.9 million is a significant sum, suggesting a large-scale or high-volume campaign. Benchmarking against contracts for similar population outreach or public awareness campaigns by agencies like the Postal Service or HHS could provide context on value for money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Direct Mail Advertising

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Contractor Details

Address: 4324 EVERGREEN LN STE B, ANNANDALE, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG05A0047

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline