DOJ awards $26.6M for computing infrastructure to West Publishing Corporation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,637,032 ($26.6M)
Contractor: West Publishing Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $73.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CALR-5
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20530
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $26.6 million to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION for work described as: CALR-5 Key points: 1. Spending on computing infrastructure, data processing, and web hosting is a critical government function. 2. West Publishing Corporation is a significant player in legal information services. 3. The contract's value is moderate, but the specific services are essential for DOJ operations. 4. The sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving security needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award of $26.6M for a one-year period appears reasonable given the nature of computing infrastructure and data processing services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cloud hosting and data management services would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors have the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical Department of Justice IT systems. Supports data processing and web hosting needs for various offices and divisions. Provides essential computing infrastructure for national legal and law enforcement functions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
Sector Analysis
The IT sector, particularly cloud computing and data processing, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks vary widely based on service type, but this award falls within a typical range for comprehensive infrastructure support.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, West Publishing Corporation, is a large business. There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting adherence to procurement regulations. Ongoing oversight by the Department of Justice will be crucial to ensure service delivery and cost-effectiveness.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Critical infrastructure reliance
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Data security and privacy concerns
- Long-term cost implications
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-justice, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $26.6 million to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION. CALR-5
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2024-09-30.
What specific computing infrastructure and data processing services are included in this contract?
The contract falls under NAICS code 518210, which covers computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services. Specific details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work, outlining the exact nature of the services, service level agreements, and any associated hardware or software provisions required by the Department of Justice.
What is the risk associated with relying on West Publishing Corporation for these critical IT services?
The primary risk involves potential vendor lock-in and the criticality of the services. If West Publishing's offerings are highly specialized or integrated, switching providers could be complex and costly. Ensuring robust service level agreements and contingency plans are in place is vital to mitigate disruptions to DOJ operations.
How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Department of Justice's mission?
This contract is essential for the effective functioning of the DOJ by providing the underlying IT infrastructure. Reliable data processing, web hosting, and computing resources enable the department to manage case information, communicate securely, conduct research, and support law enforcement activities, all of which are critical to its mission.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thomson Company Inc, the
Address: 610 OPPERMAN DR, EAGAN, MN, 55123
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,711,820
Exercised Options: $53,711,820
Current Obligation: $26,637,032
Actual Outlays: $7,451,730
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS19D00000122
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-06
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