GAO Awards $1.99M for Serials Management Services to EBSCO Industries Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,988,667 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Ebsco Industries Inc
Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office
Start Date: 2019-09-30
End Date: 2024-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO OBTAIN SERIALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (JOURNALS, NEWSLETTER AND ALL KINDS OF SERIALS SUBSCRIPTION).
Place of Performance
Location: BIRMINGHAM, SHELBY County, ALABAMA, 35242
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Government Accountability Office obligated $2.0 million to EBSCO INDUSTRIES INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO OBTAIN SERIALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (JOURNALS, NEWSLETTER AND ALL KINDS OF SERIALS SUBSCRIPTION). Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential serials management, including journals and newsletters. 2. EBSCO Industries Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating a specific market position. 3. The contract duration is 5 years, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive process.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.99 million over five years for serials management services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for subscription management and information services would provide a more precise assessment of value.
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 competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives the best value for its investment.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award should ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential information services.
Public Impact
Ensures access to critical journals and newsletters for government operations. Supports informed decision-making through timely access to information. Potential for cost savings through consolidated subscription management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if competition is not consistently maintained.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a critical service.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'All Other Information Services' category. Spending in this sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of data, research, and information management services essential for government functions.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or had opportunities to participate.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which also serves as an oversight body. This dual role suggests a high level of scrutiny regarding the procurement process and contract execution.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Information Services
- Government Accountability Office Contracting
- GAO, Except Comptroller General Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
- Limited visibility into small business participation.
- Need for ongoing market monitoring for cost-effectiveness.
Tags
all-other-information-services, government-accountability-office, al, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Government Accountability Office awarded $2.0 million to EBSCO INDUSTRIES INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PURCHASE ORDER (PO) IS TO OBTAIN SERIALS MANAGEMENT SERVICES (JOURNALS, NEWSLETTER AND ALL KINDS OF SERIALS SUBSCRIPTION).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EBSCO INDUSTRIES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Government Accountability Office (GAO, Except Comptroller General).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2024-09-29.
What is the specific scope of 'serials management services' covered by this contract, and how does it align with GAO's core mission needs?
The contract explicitly covers serials management services, including journals, newsletters, and all other serial subscriptions. This is crucial for GAO's mission, as it provides access to a vast array of research, legal precedents, and industry publications necessary for conducting audits, investigations, and policy analysis. Ensuring timely and comprehensive access to these information resources directly supports GAO's oversight and accountability functions.
Given the 5-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure continued cost-effectiveness and adaptation to evolving information landscapes?
While the contract is firm fixed price, the 5-year duration necessitates proactive management. Mechanisms like periodic performance reviews and market research should be employed to ensure the services remain cost-effective and relevant. The government should also monitor industry trends in serials management and digital information access to identify opportunities for service enhancement or renegotiation if significant market shifts occur.
How does the 'full and open competition' process for this contract ensure that the government is not missing out on potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions from other vendors?
The 'full and open competition' process is designed to solicit bids from all responsible sources. This ensures that multiple vendors have the opportunity to present their solutions and pricing. For this contract, it implies that EBSCO Industries Inc. was selected from a pool of competitive offers. Regular market research and future competitive solicitations are key to ensuring ongoing access to innovation and cost-effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 05GA0A19Q0072
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1151 BROAD ST STE 212, SHREWSBURY, NJ, 07702
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,988,667
Exercised Options: $1,988,667
Current Obligation: $1,988,667
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-30
Current End Date: 2024-09-29
Potential End Date: 2024-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-03
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