Contractor Support Services (Media Relations Assistant) for the USAO, Southern District of Mississippi

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the provision of one (1) Media Relations Assistant position, to be located in Jackson, Mississippi. The Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), on behalf of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Southern Mississippi (USAO-MSS), is contemplating a single award to a small business set-aside.

• Provision of one (1) Media Relations Assistant.

• Estimated level of effort: 1,500 hours per year.

• The resulting award will be made under the Public Relations Agencies North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541820.

• Period of Performance: One (1) base year and four (4) twelve-month option periods.

• Procurement method: Full and open competition with a small business set aside.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of quote submission and throughout the contract duration.

• Quotes must include a cover page or complete SF1449 with Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number and Tax Identification Number (TIN).

• Questions due: Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via email to elge.stevens@usdoj.gov.

• Quotes due: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. EST via email to elge.stevens@usdoj.gov.

• Faxed, hand-delivered, or mailed quotes will not be accepted.

• Small business set-aside.

• For additional information on SAM registration, call 866-606-8220 or visit https://www.sam.gov/.

• The government is not liable for information furnished by any other source. Interested parties are responsible for checking the website periodically for updates.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To develop and execute a media strategy for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) in the Southern District of Mississippi, aligning with the USAO's strategic plan and operational goals. The strategy aims to educate the community about USAO and Department of Justice initiatives, deter criminal conduct, and strengthen relationships with law enforcement partners.

• Devise and execute a media strategy utilizing radio, television, print, and social media.

• Publicize USAO and Department of Justice initiatives, focusing on preventing and combating violent crime, fraud, and other criminal/civil priorities.

• Raise public awareness of criminal matters handled by the USAO.

• Strengthen relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.

• Alert the public to criminal and fraudulent activity to help citizens avoid becoming victims.

• Plan, write, and edit news releases on USAO priority programs, training, community outreach, cases, achievements, indictments, pleas, convictions, and sentencings.

• Plan, script, and coordinate press conferences.

• Draft and place op-ed articles and other approved pieces.

• Identify and facilitate speaking opportunities for USAO personnel.

• Respond to media and community group information requests.

• Establish and maintain relationships with media and specialized groups.

• Monitor social media to publicize USAO and law enforcement achievements.

• Analyze USAO program materials and facilitate their delivery.

• Prepare written materials and press packets.

• Evaluate media strategy effectiveness and analyze media exposure.

• Participate in weekly planning sessions.

• Base Period: June 24, 2026, to June 23, 2027.

• Four (4) Option Periods, each one year in length, contingent on funding.

• Place of Performance: Contractor's office and potentially other sites for community meetings. The USAO office is located at 501 E. Court Street, Suite 4.430, Jackson, MS 39201.

• Knowledge Required: Detailed knowledge of media outlets, communication principles, analytical methods, interpersonal relations, social media platforms, and local court rules. Familiarity with USAO functions, priorities, and policies is essential.

• Basic Qualifications: At least ten years of demonstrated ability in a similar position, a resume (max 3 pages), proficiency in Microsoft Office, a valid driver's license and vehicle, U.S. Citizenship, and a ten-year minimum background investigation (PSL 6-High Risk). Key personnel must reside within the USAO-SDMS boundaries.

• Security: A "sensitive" security clearance (BI) (PSL 6-High Risk) is required, including a background check, credit history check, and drug screening.

• Contract Type: Labor Hour contract.

• Government Furnished Equipment: Secure laptop and cell phone provided. Access to databases available.

• Training: Contractor staff must be trained on "contract-specific" issues, including DOJ ethics and Cybersecurity Awareness Training (CSAT).

• Standards of Conduct: Maintain satisfactory standards of employee competency, conduct, appearance, and integrity.

• Confidentiality: Contractor must maintain confidentiality of sensitive government information and sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5147, Revision No. 28) applicable to the Mississippi counties of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. It lists various occupational classifications and their corresponding minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required under the Service Contract Act (SCA).

This wage determination is crucial for potential bidders on government contracts in the specified area that are subject to the Service Contract Act. It outlines the minimum labor costs that must be factored into proposals, including:

• Occupational Wage Rates: A comprehensive list of job titles and their required hourly wages.
• Fringe Benefits: Details on Health & Welfare benefits, paid sick leave (EO 13706), and vacation/holiday policies.
• Executive Order Applicability: Information on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage), including specific rates and conditions.
• Hazardous Pay Differentials: Additional pay rates for working with ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Guidelines on contractor responsibility for uniform costs and maintenance.
• Conformance Process: Procedures for classifying and determining wages for occupations not explicitly listed in the determination (SF-1444).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Security of Department Information and Systems DOJ-05 (APR 2026)", is an attachment to a solicitation and outlines the Department of Justice's (DOJ) security requirements for contractors and subcontractors concerning information and systems. It details the applicability of these requirements, provides general definitions related to information security, and specifies confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations for DOJ Information.

• Applicability: Extends to all contractors and subcontractors, including cloud service providers, who may access, collect, store, process, maintain, use, share, retrieve, disseminate, transmit, or dispose of DOJ Information.
• Definitions: Defines key terms such as Authorization to Operate (ATO), Cloud Computing, Covered Contract, Covered Information System, DOJ Information, Personally Identifiable Information (PII), and Security Breach.
• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Outlines government ownership of deliverables, unlimited data rights, and restrictions on divulging or using DOJ Information except as necessary for contract performance.
• Information Technology Security Policies: Mandates compliance with various federal laws, NIST publications, and DOJ-specific security policies and procedures for all Covered Information Systems.
• Cloud Computing: Specifies requirements for utilizing Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), including FedRAMP authorization or COR approval, and ensuring DOJ access to data.
• Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM): Requires a C-SCRM plan and adherence to specific security controls for mission-critical systems.
• Security Incidents: Details mandatory reporting procedures and response actions for confirmed and potential security incidents.

This document is critical for bidders as it establishes the comprehensive security requirements that will govern the contract. Potential offerors must understand these obligations regarding the handling, protection, and reporting of DOJ Information and systems. Compliance with these security measures, including those related to cloud computing, data handling, and incident response, will be a key factor in contract performance and evaluation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Products and Commercial Services," is a standard solicitation clause. It outlines the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses that are incorporated by reference into the contract to implement various laws and executive orders applicable to the acquisition of commercial products and services.

The document itself does not specify deliverables or requirements for a particular procurement. Instead, it lists and incorporates by reference numerous FAR clauses that a contractor must comply with. These clauses cover a wide range of topics, including:

• Prohibitions on certain agreements and contracting practices (e.g., confidentiality agreements, contracting for specific hardware/software, contracting with inverted domestic corporations).
• Requirements related to federal acquisition supply chain security.
• Prohibitions related to specific applications (e.g., ByteDance covered applications).
• Small business subcontracting requirements and set-aside provisions (e.g., HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB).
• Labor standards and wage requirements (e.g., Service Contract Labor Standards, minimum wages, equal opportunity, paid sick leave).
• Prohibitions on specific activities (e.g., convict labor, child labor, combating trafficking in persons).
• Requirements for reporting and record-keeping.
• Provisions related to Buy American and Trade Agreements.
• Payment terms and electronic funds transfer requirements.
• Privacy and security safeguards.

This document is a clause that will be incorporated into a larger contract. Specific contract type, period of performance, and estimated value are not detailed within this clause itself.

This document does not contain submission or evaluation criteria. It is a list of mandatory clauses for the contractor.

Many of the incorporated FAR clauses relate to small business programs, including HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and general small business set-asides. Bidders should review these clauses to understand any subcontracting or set-aside requirements that may apply.

Bidders must carefully review all incorporated FAR clauses to understand their contractual obligations. The "X" marks next to many clauses indicate that they are checked and therefore incorporated into the contract. The specific applicability of some clauses may depend on the nature of the acquisition and the Contracting Officer's selection.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for Contractor Support Services for the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Mississippi. The services required are for a Media Relations Assistant.

• Provide a Media Relations Assistant.

• The services are for the USAO, Southern District of Mississippi.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but implied to be a contract for services.

• Period of Performance: June 24, 2026, through June 23, 2027, with four (4) option years.

• Estimated value is not explicitly stated, but block 16 indicates '$19m'.

• Offer Due Date: May 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.

• All quotes must be submitted electronically via email to elge.stevens@usdoj.gov.

• Quotes received after the deadline will not be considered.

• Evaluation will be based on the following factors, with Key Personnel/Technical Evaluation and Past Performance being significantly more important than Price:

  1. Key Personnel and Technical Evaluation
  2. Past Performance
  3. Price

• The government plans to award a contract representing the best value solution.

• The acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

• NAICS Code: 541820 (Public Relations Agencies)

• Size Standard: $11.5 million

• All questions regarding the solicitation should be emailed to Elge Stevens at elge.stevens@usdoj.gov by 2:00 PM Eastern Time on May 12, 2026.