DOI awards $5.5M contract for Web Search Portals to IHS Global Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,556,595 ($5.6M)
Contractor: IHS Global Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-05-30
End Date: 2027-05-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: S&P OIL AND GAS DATABASE
Place of Performance
Location: ENGLEWOOD, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $5.6 million to IHS GLOBAL INC for work described as: S&P OIL AND GAS DATABASE Key points: 1. Contract value of $5.56 million for information services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with reliance on a single vendor for critical data. 4. Sector: Information Technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.56 million for 729 days (approx. $7,622 per day) appears reasonable for specialized data services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for web search portals and information services is needed for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: $7,622/day
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential information services, with competition aiming to ensure efficient allocation.
Public Impact
Ensures access to critical oil and gas data for USGS research and policy. Supports informed decision-making in energy resource management. Potential for data accessibility and dissemination improvements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Data vendor lock-in risk.
- Potential for price increases in future contract renewals.
- Dependence on a single source for specialized information.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overruns.
- Supports critical USGS research needs.
Sector Analysis
The Information Technology sector, particularly data services and portals, is crucial for government agencies. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on data scope and exclusivity, but $5.56M for specialized industry data over two years is within a typical range for comprehensive databases.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have specific provisions for small business participation, as it was awarded to a large corporation (IHS Global Inc.) and no small business set-aside was indicated.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a component of the Department of the Interior. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts should apply, including performance monitoring and financial accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Data dependency on a single commercial provider.
- Risk of price escalation in future procurements.
- Limited visibility into data source verification processes.
Tags
web-search-portals-and-all-other-informa, department-of-the-interior, co, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $5.6 million to IHS GLOBAL INC. S&P OIL AND GAS DATABASE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is IHS GLOBAL INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $5.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-30. End: 2027-05-29.
What is the specific value proposition of the S&P Oil and Gas Database compared to publicly available or alternative commercial data sources?
The S&P Oil and Gas Database likely offers curated, comprehensive, and specialized data critical for the USGS's mission that may not be readily available or as easily aggregated from public sources. Its value lies in the depth, accuracy, and timeliness of information specific to the oil and gas sector, enabling detailed analysis and informed policy recommendations.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for such critical data, particularly concerning data integrity and future accessibility?
Reliance on a single vendor poses risks of data integrity issues if the vendor's quality control falters, and potential future inaccessibility or significant price hikes upon contract renewal. Vendor lock-in can limit the government's ability to switch to more cost-effective or superior solutions, impacting long-term data strategy and budget.
How effectively does this contract support the USGS's core mission objectives related to energy resource assessment and geological research?
This contract directly supports the USGS's mission by providing essential data for assessing energy resources, understanding geological formations, and informing national energy policy. The availability of specialized data from the S&P Oil and Gas Database enables robust scientific research and accurate reporting on the nation's energy landscape.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140G0225R0010
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: R.L. Polk & CO
Address: 15 INVERNESS WAY E, ENGLEWOOD, CO, 80112
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,477,750
Exercised Options: $5,556,595
Current Obligation: $5,556,595
Actual Outlays: $2,740,614
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-30
Current End Date: 2027-05-29
Potential End Date: 2030-05-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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