DOJ Awards $537,850 for Hein Online Core Plus Collection to William S. Hein & Co., Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,785 ($53.8K)
Contractor: William S. Hein & CO., Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2026-05-01
End Date: 2027-04-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $148/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: HEIN ONLINE CORE PLUS COLLECTION AND SPINELLIS LAW LIBRARY REFERENCE SHELF
Place of Performance
Location: GETZVILLE, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14068
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $53,785 to WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC. for work described as: HEIN ONLINE CORE PLUS COLLECTION AND SPINELLIS LAW LIBRARY REFERENCE SHELF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for online legal information services. 2. William S. Hein & Co., Inc. is the sole provider. 3. Risk of limited competition and potential price inflation. 4. Sector is Information Technology (Web Search Portals).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Pricing is based on a firm fixed price for a delivery order. Benchmarking against similar contracts for legal databases is difficult without more specific service details. The annual cost appears reasonable for specialized legal content.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting multiple vendors could have bid. However, the specific nature of the 'CORE PLUS COLLECTION' might limit the number of qualified bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used to procure essential legal research resources for the Department of Justice.
Public Impact
Ensures access to critical legal research materials for DOJ. Supports legal proceedings and policy development within the department. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding if more vendors participated.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited number of specialized legal database providers.
- Potential for price increases in future renewals.
- Reliance on a single vendor for specific content.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract limits cost uncertainty.
- Full and open competition was utilized.
- Long-term contract provides stable access.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically web search portals and information services. Spending benchmarks for legal database subscriptions vary widely based on content scope and user base, but this appears to be a moderate investment for a federal agency.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, William S. Hein & Co., Inc., is a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific delivery order.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating some level of oversight. Further oversight would involve monitoring contract performance and ensuring fair pricing throughout the period of performance.
Related Government Programs
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Limited market for highly specialized legal databases.
- Price increases in future contract periods.
- Lack of transparency on specific collection contents.
Tags
web-search-portals-and-all-other-informa, department-of-justice, ny, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $53,785 to WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC.. HEIN ONLINE CORE PLUS COLLECTION AND SPINELLIS LAW LIBRARY REFERENCE SHELF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $53,785.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.
What is the specific scope of the 'HEIN ONLINE CORE PLUS COLLECTION' and how does it compare to publicly available legal databases?
The 'HEIN ONLINE CORE PLUS COLLECTION' likely encompasses a curated selection of legal journals, historical documents, and specialized databases offered by William S. Hein & Co. Its exact scope is proprietary. Publicly available databases like Google Scholar or court websites offer broader, but often less curated or specialized, legal information. The value proposition here is the tailored, comprehensive access for the DOJ's specific needs, which may justify a higher cost than general public resources.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for specialized legal information, even with full and open competition?
The primary risk is vendor lock-in and potential price escalation over time, as William S. Hein & Co. may be one of the few providers of this specific collection. Even with initial competition, future renewals could face limited options if the market doesn't evolve. This necessitates careful negotiation and monitoring of usage and pricing to ensure continued value for the taxpayer.
How effectively does this contract support the Department of Justice's mission and operational needs?
This contract directly supports the DOJ's mission by providing essential legal research tools. Access to comprehensive legal databases is crucial for litigation, policy development, and advising the government. The effectiveness hinges on the timeliness, accuracy, and breadth of the information provided by Hein Online, enabling legal professionals within the DOJ to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2350 NORTH FOREST RD, GETZVILLE, NY, 14068
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,785
Exercised Options: $53,785
Current Obligation: $53,785
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 03310323D0065
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-05-01
Current End Date: 2027-04-30
Potential End Date: 2027-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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