VA Awards $18.4M for LWW BMJ Subscription Access to Prenax Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,436,659 ($18.4M)
Contractor: Prenax Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Start Date: 2022-09-23
End Date: 2026-06-22
Contract Duration: 1,368 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: LWW BMJ SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS
Place of Performance
Location: CONCORD, MERRIMACK County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03301
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $18.4 million to PRENAX INC for work described as: LWW BMJ SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS Key points: 1. The contract is for subscription access to LWW and BMJ resources. 2. Prenax Inc. is the contractor, with the Department of Veterans Affairs as the agency. 3. The contract has a duration of 1368 days. 4. The total award value is $18,436,658.94. 5. The contract type is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $18.4M award for subscription access appears high given the contract duration. Benchmarking against similar digital content subscriptions is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', suggesting a limited competition. This method may not have resulted in the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a significant subscription cost that warrants further scrutiny for cost-effectiveness.
Public Impact
Veterans and VA staff will have access to medical and research publications. Ensures continuity of essential information resources for healthcare professionals. Potential for cost savings if subscription rates are benchmarked against industry standards.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High total award value for subscription services.
- Limited competition raises pricing concerns.
- Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark.
Positive Signals
- Ensures access to critical medical literature.
- Long-term contract provides stability.
- Firm fixed price contract offers budget predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and Information Services sector, specifically for digital content subscriptions. Benchmarks for similar large-scale institutional subscriptions are crucial for evaluating cost-effectiveness.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses under this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's limited competition and high value suggest a need for robust oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective use of funds. Auditing subscription costs against market rates is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
- Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
- Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
Risk Flags
- High total contract value.
- Limited competition.
- Lack of clear per-unit cost.
- Potential for overpayment without benchmarking.
Tags
internet-publishing-and-broadcasting-and, department-of-veterans-affairs, nh, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $18.4 million to PRENAX INC. LWW BMJ SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRENAX INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-23. End: 2026-06-22.
What is the justification for the limited competition and how does it impact the pricing achieved for these subscription services?
The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, limited competition can lead to higher prices as fewer vendors are incentivized to offer their best rates. A thorough review of the 'exclusion of sources' rationale is necessary to understand if unique access or specific publisher requirements drove this decision, and if alternative procurement strategies could have yielded better value.
How does the per-unit cost of these subscriptions compare to similar institutional access agreements in the healthcare or research sectors?
The provided data lacks specific per-unit cost details, making direct comparison difficult. The total award of $18.4M over approximately 3.6 years for digital publications suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against consortia pricing, academic library subscriptions, or other government agency agreements for comparable content would be essential to determine if the VA is receiving a competitive rate.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the ongoing value and utilization of these subscription resources by the Department of Veterans Affairs?
The data does not detail specific utilization tracking or value assessment mechanisms. While the contract ensures access, ongoing monitoring of usage statistics, user feedback, and alignment with VA research and clinical needs would be critical. Periodic reviews of the subscription portfolio to identify underutilized resources and renegotiate terms could enhance overall value and taxpayer benefit.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 36C77622R0134
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10 FERRY ST, CONCORD, NH, 03301
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $52,839,151
Exercised Options: $18,436,659
Current Obligation: $18,436,659
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-23
Current End Date: 2026-06-22
Potential End Date: 2027-06-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-09
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