PBGC awards $407K contract for web-based pension participant locator to West Publishing Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $406,878 ($406.9K)

Contractor: West Publishing Corporation

Awarding Agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $223/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: WEB-BASED APPLICATION TO LOCATE PENSION PLAN PARTICIPANTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation obligated $406,878 to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION for work described as: WEB-BASED APPLICATION TO LOCATE PENSION PLAN PARTICIPANTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for the service. 3. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the agency. 4. The service supports the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's mission to protect pensions. 5. The geographic scope is limited to the District of Columbia. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $406,878 over five years appears reasonable for a specialized web-based application service. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for data aggregation and search portal development suggests this is within a typical range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests that multiple companies likely vied for this opportunity. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging the best value to be selected.

Public Impact

Benefits pension plan participants by facilitating the location of their retirement benefits. Delivers a critical web-based tool for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The service has a national impact on individuals seeking to locate lost pension information. Supports PBGC's workforce in efficiently managing participant data and outreach.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the web application.
The duration of the contract (5 years) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potential IDIQ may limit future competition if the IDIQ itself was not broadly competed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and reduces financial risk for the government.
The service directly supports the PBGC's core mission of protecting retirement security.
The vendor, West Publishing Corporation, is a well-established entity in information services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on web-based application development and data management. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering solutions for data aggregation, search portals, and online information dissemination. The PBGC's need for a participant locator aligns with broader government trends towards digitizing services and improving citizen access to information.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. West Publishing Corporation is a large business. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Accountability is established through the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) Operations
Federal IT Services
Web Application Development
Data Management Systems
Information Publishing Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on vendor for critical system functionality.
Risk of outdated technology if not regularly updated.
Data security and privacy concerns related to participant information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation awarded $406,878 to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION. WEB-BASED APPLICATION TO LOCATE PENSION PLAN PARTICIPANTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $406,878.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of West Publishing Corporation in delivering similar web-based application services to federal agencies?

West Publishing Corporation, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters, has a long history of providing legal and business information services, often through sophisticated digital platforms. While specific details on their federal contract performance for web applications like this are not detailed in the provided data, their established presence in information technology and data management suggests a capacity to deliver. Agencies often leverage established vendors like West for their expertise in handling large datasets and developing user-friendly interfaces. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal past performance ratings and other federal contracts awarded to West Publishing Corporation for similar IT services, providing a more comprehensive view of their track record.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar government contracts for web-based participant locator services?

Direct comparison of this contract's cost ($406,878 over 5 years) to identical services is challenging without more specific details on the application's features and scope. However, considering the nature of the service – a web-based application for locating pension plan participants – the cost appears moderate. Government contracts for developing and maintaining specialized web portals can range significantly based on complexity, user base, and data security requirements. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, which aids in cost control. Benchmarking against contracts for similar data aggregation and search functionalities within other agencies would provide a better context for assessing value for money, but generally, this figure seems reasonable for a niche, long-term IT service.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance issues if the web application does not meet user needs or technical requirements, and the risk of cost overruns if the fixed-price scope is not well-defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. Another risk is vendor lock-in over the 5-year duration. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance work statements, regular progress reviews by the PBGC, and robust acceptance testing. The firm fixed-price contract itself mitigates financial risk for the government, assuming the scope is accurately defined. The use of a delivery order under a potential IDIQ may also imply that the underlying IDIQ contract has established terms and conditions that address some of these risks.

How effective is this contract in supporting the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's mission?

This contract is directly aligned with the PBGC's mission to protect the retirement security of American workers. By providing a web-based application to locate pension plan participants, the PBGC can more effectively connect individuals with their earned benefits, especially in cases where contact information may be outdated or plans have been terminated. This improves the efficiency of PBGC's outreach efforts and ensures that beneficiaries receive the information and support they are entitled to. The success of the application in reaching participants and facilitating benefit claims would be the ultimate measure of its effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation on similar IT services?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the PBGC on similar IT services would require access to detailed procurement data beyond this single contract award. Generally, agencies like the PBGC invest in IT to manage vast amounts of participant data, ensure system security, and provide online services to beneficiaries. Spending typically includes contracts for database management, application development and maintenance, cybersecurity, and cloud services. The PBGC's overall IT budget and its allocation across different service categories would provide context. This specific contract represents a portion of their IT expenditure dedicated to participant outreach and data management tools.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

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

Solicitation ID: 16PBGC21Q0096

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thomson Company Inc, the

Address: 2900 AMES CROSSING RD STE 100, EAGAN, MN, 55121

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $406,878

Exercised Options: $406,878

Current Obligation: $406,878

Actual Outlays: $307,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F026DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline