CDC Reverses Course. Secret Service Recruitment Award Imminent

It has been an unusually active week across the federal marketing and communications marketplace.

One of the government's largest communications procurements unexpectedly changed acquisition strategy, then reversed course just days later. At the same time, one of the industry's most anticipated award announcements appears to be nearing the finish line, while the National Science Foundation has officially awarded a long-awaited communications vehicle. 

CDC TIPS Procurement Whipsaws the Market

The long-anticipated CDC Tips From Former Smokers (TIPS) follow-on procurement finally hit the street last week—but not in the way anyone expected.

The solicitation was initially released as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set-aside on GSA, catching much of the market by surprise and immediately disrupting capture strategies that many agencies had been developing for the past 12–24 months. Teaming arrangements, partner selections, bid investments, and competitive assumptions were suddenly called into question.

Then, on Friday, the solicitation was canceled.

Just a few days later, CDC reissued the procurement as a full and open competition.

At this point, it remains unclear whether the original WOSB release was an inadvertent error or reflected an acquisition strategy that was ultimately reconsidered. Unless the Government provides additional clarification, industry may never know.

Regardless of the reason, we're encouraged to see one of the federal government's flagship public health communications programs ultimately released as a full and open competition.

For a requirement of this size, complexity, and national importance, the revised acquisition approach should maximize competition while providing the Government access to the broadest range of capabilities and innovation.

The episode also serves as a reminder that even mature, well-understood pursuits can change dramatically with little notice. Capture plans should always include contingency scenarios, particularly for high-profile procurements.

Secret Service Recruitment Award Appears Imminent

Another procurement we've been closely tracking appears to be reaching the finish line.

The U.S. Secret Service recruitment and employer branding contract has been under evaluation for several months, with what we estimate to be more than 15 agencies competing for the work.

Based on conversations across the marketplace, we expect an award announcement in the coming week. Current industry expectations point to Avvy, a MPP JV between District Communications Group and Arillic -- as the apparent awardee, although—as always—nothing is official until the Government announces the award.

Given both the number of competitors and the strategic importance of the requirement, this is an award many agencies have been watching closely.

NSF Awards $62.6 Million Communications BPA

The National Science Foundation has awarded its long-awaited Office of Legislative & Public Affairs (OLPA) Blanket Purchase Agreement to N-Touch Strategies and Viderity.

The multiple-award BPA carries a ceiling value of $62.6 million and was competed as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set-aside. The vehicle covers a broad range of communications services, including digital communications, strategic communications, program and administrative support, events, writing, and video production. Congratulations to both awardees.

As always, we'll continue monitoring these and other significant federal marketing and communications procurements and share updates as new intelligence becomes available.