ITC awards $1.88M contract for web search portals and information services to William S. Hein & Co

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,785 ($18.8K)

Contractor: William S. Hein & CO., Inc.

Awarding Agency: International Trade Commission

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $52/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HEINONLINE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20436

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

International Trade Commission obligated $18,785 to WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC. for work described as: HEINONLINE Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost savings through competition. 2. The duration of the contract is 364 days, suggesting a need for ongoing services. 3. The service falls under the 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' NAICS code. 4. The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order, providing cost certainty for the government. 5. The awardee, William S. Hein & Co., Inc., is a known entity in information services. 6. The contract is managed by the International Trade Commission.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition means the government may not be receiving the most advantageous pricing available in the market. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services provided and comparing them to similar contracts or market rates for web search portals and information services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This indicates that the International Trade Commission likely identified a single source they believed could meet their specific requirements. The lack of competition limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the cost reductions that can arise from a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to higher overall spending for the same services.

Public Impact

The International Trade Commission benefits from access to essential web search portals and information services. The contract supports the agency's mission by providing necessary data and research capabilities. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia, where the ITC is headquartered. The contract's impact on the workforce is likely minimal, primarily affecting internal ITC personnel who utilize the information services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source awards can indicate a lack of market research or planning.
Potential for vendor lock-in if alternatives are not explored.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Award to an established company suggests a focus on reliability.
Contract duration aligns with a likely need for continuous service.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically focusing on web search portals and related information services. This sector is characterized by a wide range of providers, from large technology companies to specialized information aggregators. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on digital information for research, business intelligence, and operational needs. Benchmarking this contract's value would ideally involve comparing its cost and scope to similar information service contracts awarded by other federal agencies or within the private sector.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved a small business set-aside. As a sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were a primary consideration in the award process. Further investigation would be needed to determine if William S. Hein & Co., Inc. has any existing subcontracting relationships with small businesses that might be indirectly impacted by this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The International Trade Commission is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard government procurement regulations and internal agency controls. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award would be crucial for assessing accountability. The specific Inspector General jurisdiction would typically be that of the agency awarding the contract, in this case, the International Trade Commission.

Related Government Programs

Federal Agency Information Technology Services
Government Information Dissemination
Web Portal Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for above-market pricing due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

International Trade Commission awarded $18,785 to WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC.. HEINONLINE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILLIAM S. HEIN & CO., INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: International Trade Commission (International Trade Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,785.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What specific types of web search portals and information services are being procured under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' under NAICS code 519290. This broad category typically includes services related to providing access to databases, search engines, news archives, legal documents, and other forms of digital information. Without more specific details from the contract statement of work, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the services. However, given the awardee, William S. Hein & Co., Inc. is known for providing legal and academic research databases and document delivery services, it is highly probable that this contract supports the International Trade Commission's need for access to specialized legal, trade, or economic information databases and search functionalities.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar services by the International Trade Commission?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar services by the International Trade Commission is crucial for context. While this specific data point is not provided in the abbreviated data, a comprehensive review would involve examining past contracts for information services, web portals, and research databases. This would help determine if this $1.88 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for these types of resources. Understanding trends can reveal changes in agency needs, shifts in technology, or the effectiveness of previous procurement strategies. Without this historical data, it's challenging to assess if the current award is an anomaly or part of a sustained investment.

What is the track record of William S. Hein & Co., Inc. in performing government contracts?

William S. Hein & Co., Inc. has a history of providing information services, particularly in the legal and academic research domains. Their track record with government contracts would need to be assessed by reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes, and the successful completion of prior agreements. As this is a sole-source award, the International Trade Commission likely has confidence in Hein's ability to deliver based on prior experience or specialized capabilities. A thorough review would involve checking federal procurement databases for past awards and performance metrics to ensure reliability and competence in fulfilling the current contract requirements.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar information services?

Comparing the pricing of this $1.88 million contract to market rates is essential for evaluating value for money, especially given its sole-source nature. Market rates can be benchmarked by examining publicly available pricing for similar subscription-based databases, search portal access, and information aggregation services offered by competitors. Factors such as the scope of access, number of users, depth of content, and analytical tools provided by Hein would need to be considered. Without a competitive process, it's harder to definitively state if the price is optimal, but a comparison to commercial offerings can highlight potential discrepancies or confirm reasonable costs.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for essential information services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential information services is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure. This can lead to taxpayers paying more than necessary for the services. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, making it difficult to switch even if better or more cost-effective alternatives emerge. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of thorough market research or planning by the agency, potentially missing out on innovative solutions or better-value offerings from other vendors. Ensuring the justification for the sole-source award is robust and well-documented is critical to mitigating these risks.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

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: $103,775

Exercised Options: $18,785

Current Obligation: $18,785

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline