Interior's $19.4M multimedia contract for science communication awarded to Prime Meridian Media Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,409,885 ($19.4M)

Contractor: Prime Meridian Media Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2010-09-30

End Date: 2015-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MULTIMEDIA SERVICES FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNICATING SCIENCE BROADLY (CSB) FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ON THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION S ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE NATION S SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22230

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $19.4 million to PRIME MERIDIAN MEDIA INC. for work described as: MULTIMEDIA SERVICES FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNICATING SCIENCE BROADLY (CSB) FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ON THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION S ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE NATION S SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE Key points: 1. Contract focused on enhancing public understanding of the National Science Foundation's role. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 5 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Services included multimedia production and outreach, supporting science communication efforts. 5. The contract was a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. The contractor, Prime Meridian Media Inc., has experience in multimedia services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and deliverables. The total value of $19.4 million over five years averages to approximately $3.88 million per year. This figure needs to be compared against the typical costs for similar multimedia and communication services for federal agencies of this size and scope. Without comparable contract data or detailed cost breakdowns, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing was competitive or represented excellent value for money. The contract type (Time and Materials) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

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 open, certain sources were initially excluded, but the final award was made through an open process. This suggests that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to submit proposals. The level of competition, if robust with several qualified bidders, generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, when effectively managed, typically benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible value through competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The public benefits from increased awareness and understanding of the National Science Foundation's contributions to scientific research and national progress. Services delivered included multimedia content creation, outreach strategies, and communication support to disseminate scientific information. The geographic impact is national, aiming to inform the public across the United States about science. Workforce implications include potential support for jobs in media production, communication, and science outreach within the contractor's organization and potentially related industries.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can pose a risk of cost escalation if not meticulously monitored.
The specific metrics for success and performance evaluation are not detailed, making it hard to gauge effectiveness.
Limited information on the specific deliverables and their impact makes a full value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive pricing environment.
The contract duration of five years suggests a sustained need and commitment to science communication.
The focus on communicating science broadly aligns with public interest and educational goals.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on multimedia production and communication services. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Federal agencies frequently procure these types of services to manage public affairs, outreach, and educational campaigns. Benchmarking would involve comparing the contract's value and scope to similar multimedia contracts awarded by other federal agencies for science communication or public awareness initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside program for this particular award. The prime contractor, Prime Meridian Media Inc., would have had the discretion to subcontract, but there's no explicit requirement noted here to ensure small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Interior, responsible for ensuring that the contractor meets the terms and conditions of the contract. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation Public Outreach Programs
Federal Agency Communication and Media Services
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Initiatives
Government Public Information Campaigns

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Ambiguity in NAICS code classification.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $19.4 million to PRIME MERIDIAN MEDIA INC.. MULTIMEDIA SERVICES FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNICATING SCIENCE BROADLY (CSB) FOR INFORMING THE PUBLIC ON THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION S ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE NATION S SCIENTIFIC ENTERPRISE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRIME MERIDIAN MEDIA INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-30. End: 2015-09-29.

What was the specific nature of the 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) associated with this multimedia contract?

The NAICS code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services,' listed for this contract appears to be a potential misclassification or an ancillary component of the primary multimedia services. Typically, multimedia production, communication, and outreach activities fall under different NAICS codes related to advertising, public relations, or specialized design services. It's possible that custom software development or digital platform creation was a component supporting the multimedia content delivery or management, or it might represent an error in the data reporting. Without further clarification from the awarding agency, the exact role of custom computer programming remains ambiguous in the context of multimedia services.

How did Prime Meridian Media Inc.'s pricing compare to other bidders in this full and open competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded via 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting multiple bids were likely received. However, specific pricing details of competing bids are not publicly available in the summarized data. To assess how Prime Meridian Media Inc.'s pricing compared, one would need access to the bid tabulation or cost analysis performed by the Department of the Interior. Generally, in a competitive environment, the lowest priced technically acceptable offer or the best value offer (considering both price and technical merit) is selected. Without this comparative data, it's impossible to state whether Prime Meridian's pricing was advantageous for the government.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this multimedia contract?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics that were used to evaluate the success of this contract. Typically, such contracts would outline deliverables related to content production, audience reach, engagement rates, website traffic, media placements, or public awareness survey results. The effectiveness of the 'Communicating Science Broadly' initiative would be measured against these predefined goals. The absence of this information in the summary makes it difficult to quantitatively assess the contract's performance and the contractor's success in achieving the stated objectives.

What is the historical spending pattern for multimedia and communication services by the Department of the Interior and the National Science Foundation?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for multimedia and communication services by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) would require a broader data set than what is provided. This specific contract represents a $19.4 million award over five years. To understand patterns, one would need to examine spending trends over multiple fiscal years, identify other similar contracts, and look at the average award values, contract types, and durations. This would help determine if this contract is an outlier, a typical investment, or indicative of a growing or shrinking budget allocation for such services within these agencies.

What is the track record of Prime Meridian Media Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Prime Meridian Media Inc. was awarded this $19.4 million contract for multimedia services. To assess their track record, one would need to review their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving science communication, public outreach, and multimedia production. This would involve looking at contract history, past performance evaluations (if available), and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. A positive track record with similar agencies or for comparable services would indicate a lower risk for this contract, while a history of poor performance or contract disputes would raise concerns.

What risks were identified during the procurement process for this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided summary data does not detail specific risks identified during the procurement process or the mitigation strategies employed by the Department of the Interior. Potential risks for a contract of this nature could include contractor performance issues, cost overruns (especially with Time and Materials contracts), scope creep, or failure to meet communication objectives. Mitigation strategies might involve thorough vetting of bidders, clear contract language, robust oversight, performance-based payment schedules, and regular progress reviews. Without explicit information, assessing the risk management approach is not possible.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: D10PS18459

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2734 WALNUT STREET, DENVER, CO, 80205

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,409,885

Exercised Options: $19,409,885

Current Obligation: $19,409,885

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0335W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline