VA Awards $25.8M for Mental Health Outreach Campaign to J.R. Reingold & Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,865,611 ($25.9M)

Contractor: J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2013-03-11

End Date: 2016-09-11

Contract Duration: 1,280 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD ISSUED AGAINST INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (IGA) STRATEGIC OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SOSS) INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH ON BEHALF OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, IN SUPPORT OF THE MAKE THE CONNECTION (MTC) NATIONAL PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $25.9 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD ISSUED AGAINST INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (IGA) STRATEGIC OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SOSS) INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH ON BEHALF OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, IN SUPPORT… Key points: 1. Spending focuses on public awareness for Veterans Affairs mental health services. 2. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating market availability. 3. Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty. 4. The campaign aims to support the 'Make The Connection' initiative.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25.8M over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable for a national public awareness campaign. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government outreach efforts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to improve veteran mental health awareness, which can lead to better health outcomes and potentially reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Public Impact

Enhances visibility of critical mental health resources for veterans. Aims to reduce stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Supports the 'Make The Connection' campaign, a key VA initiative. Potential to improve the well-being of a significant veteran population.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in awareness campaigns.
Effectiveness measurement of outreach can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for veteran mental health.
Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the advertising and public relations sector, supporting government outreach efforts. Spending benchmarks for similar national awareness campaigns vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. Future contracts could explore opportunities for small business participation in specialized outreach tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the awarding and contracting agency. Oversight would involve monitoring campaign performance, budget adherence, and contractor deliverables to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Advertising Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if scope expands.
Difficulty in quantifying direct impact on veteran behavior.
Reliance on a single prime contractor for a large campaign.
Effectiveness is contingent on creative execution and media placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $25.9 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER AWARD ISSUED AGAINST INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS (IGA) STRATEGIC OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SOSS) INDEFINITE-DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY (IDIQ) CONTRACT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE OUTREACH ON BEHALF OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, IN SUPPORT OF THE MAKE THE CONNECTION (MTC) NATIONAL PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-03-11. End: 2016-09-11.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of the 'Make The Connection' campaign?

Measuring the success of public awareness campaigns like 'Make The Connection' typically involves tracking website traffic, social media engagement, calls to helplines, and surveys assessing changes in awareness and attitudes towards mental health among veterans. The VA would likely establish key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to these metrics to evaluate the campaign's reach and impact.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar national mental health awareness campaigns run by other government agencies or large non-profits?

A direct cost comparison is difficult without knowing the specific scope, duration, and target audience of other campaigns. However, $25.8 million over 3.5 years for a national campaign suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against campaigns with similar reach and objectives would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness.

What is the anticipated long-term impact of this campaign on veteran mental health service utilization?

The anticipated long-term impact is an increase in veterans seeking and receiving mental health services due to reduced stigma and increased awareness of available resources. By normalizing conversations around mental health and highlighting support systems, the campaign aims to foster a culture where veterans feel more comfortable accessing care, potentially leading to improved overall mental well-being.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 433 EAST MONROE AVENUE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22301

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,865,611

Exercised Options: $25,865,611

Current Obligation: $25,865,611

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: VA79810D0103

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline