Commerce Department awards $2.99M for Dun & Bradstreet data, with 1 bidder in a competed BPA call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,991,042 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Four LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-07-30

End Date: 2026-06-29

Contract Duration: 334 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO ACQUIRE DUN & BRADSTREET DATA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.0 million to FOUR LLC for work described as: TO ACQUIRE DUN & BRADSTREET DATA Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess without a detailed breakdown of the data services provided and their criticality. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single bidder, raising questions about price discovery and potential for overpayment. 3. Risk indicators include limited competition and reliance on a single data provider, which could impact data quality and continuity. 4. Performance context is limited to the contract duration and firm-fixed-price nature, suggesting a defined scope of work. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, supporting administrative and analytical functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.99 million for Dun & Bradstreet data over approximately one year appears reasonable on the surface, but a true value-for-money assessment is hindered by the lack of specific service details and comparable contract data. Without knowing the exact scope of data access and analytical support, it's challenging to benchmark against similar procurements. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty for the government, but the limited competition could mean the price is not as optimized as it could be.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, with only one bidder identified. While SAP is intended for smaller procurements, the limited competition here is notable. The process likely involved soliciting quotes from a limited number of pre-qualified vendors under an existing BPA. The presence of only one bidder suggests potential issues with market research, vendor outreach, or the specific requirements of the BPA call, which could have deterred other interested parties.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader solicitation. This could translate to a higher overall cost for the data services acquired.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from access to Dun & Bradstreet data, likely for economic analysis, business intelligence, and policy development. The services delivered are data acquisition and potentially related analytical support, crucial for informed decision-making within the agency. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of Commerce is headquartered. Workforce implications may involve analysts and researchers within the Department utilizing this data to perform their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and lack of innovation.
Reliance on a single data provider could create vendor lock-in and reduce flexibility.
The specific use and criticality of the data are not detailed, making it hard to assess its true value.
The contract duration is relatively short, which might lead to frequent re-competition and associated administrative burden.

Positive Signals

The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government.
The procurement falls under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, suggesting an effort to streamline the acquisition process for a moderate value.
The data is sourced from a reputable provider (Dun & Bradstreet), implying a certain level of quality and reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' sector, specifically related to data acquisition and analysis. The market for business data and analytics services is substantial, with numerous providers offering a wide range of solutions. Government agencies frequently procure such services to support various functions, from economic forecasting to regulatory compliance. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without more specific details on the data scope, but it represents a typical expenditure for acquiring specialized commercial data.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (set-aside or subcontracting) was not a factor in this specific award (ss: false, sb: false). This means the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, nor is there an explicit requirement for subcontracting to them. Consequently, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular contract is minimal, as it was awarded to a larger entity or through a mechanism that did not prioritize small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary. As a competed BPA Call under SAP, the oversight mechanisms are generally standard for such procurements, focusing on adherence to the BPA terms and the specific call order. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Commercial Data Services
Business Intelligence Software
Economic Data Analysis
Information Technology Professional Services
Data Management Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential Vendor Lock-in
Lack of Specific Service Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.0 million to FOUR LLC. TO ACQUIRE DUN & BRADSTREET DATA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-30. End: 2026-06-29.

What specific Dun & Bradstreet data products or services are being acquired under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact Dun & Bradstreet products or services being acquired. It broadly states the purpose is 'TO ACQUIRE DUN & BRADSTREET DATA'. This could encompass a wide range of offerings, such as financial profiles, credit risk assessments, market segmentation data, supply chain intelligence, or company directories. Without this detail, it is difficult to ascertain the precise utility and value of the procurement. Further investigation into the BPA call documentation or contract line item details would be necessary to identify the specific data sets and analytical tools included in the $2.99 million award.

How does the $2.99 million cost compare to previous procurements of similar Dun & Bradstreet data by the Department of Commerce or other federal agencies?

A direct comparison of the $2.99 million cost to previous procurements is challenging without specific historical data for identical or highly similar Dun & Bradstreet data services. Federal procurement databases often list contract awards, but the granularity of service descriptions can vary. However, given the contract duration of approximately one year (334 days) and the firm-fixed-price nature, this represents a significant annual investment. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify prior contracts for comparable data scopes, quantities, and user access levels, adjusting for inflation and any changes in market pricing or service offerings over time. The limited competition in this instance also suggests that a robust price comparison might be difficult to establish.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single data provider like Dun & Bradstreet for critical government functions?

Relying on a single data provider like Dun & Bradstreet presents several risks. Firstly, there's the risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes heavily dependent on one vendor, making it difficult and costly to switch providers even if better alternatives emerge. Secondly, data quality and accuracy are paramount; if Dun & Bradstreet experiences issues with its data collection or processing, it could directly impact the government's analyses and decisions. Thirdly, pricing power shifts to the vendor, especially if competition is limited during re-procurement, potentially leading to escalating costs. Finally, there's a risk of data obsolescence if the vendor does not continuously update its offerings to reflect market changes, or if the government's needs evolve beyond the vendor's capabilities.

What is the track record of FOUR LLC in providing similar data services to the federal government?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'FOUR LLC' in providing Dun & Bradstreet data services to the federal government is not detailed in the provided data snippet. The data only indicates that FOUR LLC was the awarded contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for past performance information, contract history, and any reported issues or successes with previous government contracts. Understanding their experience with similar data services, their past performance ratings, and their financial stability would be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill this contract effectively.

How does the 'Other Computer Related Services' classification (NAICS 541519) encompass the acquisition of commercial business data?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad category that can encompass a variety of services beyond traditional IT support or software development. Acquiring commercial business data, especially when it involves data processing, integration, or analytical support services related to that data, can fall under this classification. If the contract includes not just the raw data but also services like data cleansing, formatting, or providing access through a platform that requires computer-related infrastructure, it aligns with the 'Other Computer Related Services' definition. This classification is often used when a more specific IT-related NAICS code does not precisely fit the primary nature of the service being procured.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2303 DULLES STATION BLVD, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,991,042

Exercised Options: $2,991,042

Current Obligation: $2,991,042

Actual Outlays: $1,993,073

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L523A13OS0072

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline