HHS awards $61.1M for library cataloging services to OCLC, Inc. under a competed purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,105 ($61.1K)

Contractor: Oclc, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2029-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,086 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIBRARY CATALOGING

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $61,105.33 to OCLC, INC for work described as: LIBRARY CATALOGING Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the long-term nature of the contract and the specialized services required. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award, suggesting potential for price discovery, though specific details are limited. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long contract duration and a single awardee potentially posing future challenges. 4. Performance context is tied to essential library cataloging functions for a major health agency. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader information services and administrative support categories for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $61.1 million over approximately 9 years for library cataloging services is difficult to benchmark without more granular data on the specific services provided and the volume of materials cataloged. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty. Compared to similar long-term, specialized information management contracts, the overall value seems within a reasonable range, assuming the scope of work is comprehensive and meets the agency's needs effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was likely a full and open competition among eligible vendors. The award to OCLC, Inc. suggests they were the most advantageous offer received. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated but the 'competed' status implies multiple offers were considered, which is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award suggests that taxpayer dollars were used efficiently by allowing market forces to influence pricing, potentially leading to cost savings compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benefits from streamlined access to critical health information resources. Essential library cataloging services are delivered, ensuring the organization and accessibility of books, periodicals, and newspapers. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the information needs of a federal health agency operating across the United States. Workforce implications are minimal for the public, as this contract supports internal agency operations rather than direct public services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (nearly 10 years) could lead to vendor lock-in and reduced flexibility for future needs.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical function like cataloging may pose risks if the vendor experiences performance issues or financial instability.
Limited transparency on specific performance metrics and service level agreements within the provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competed process, indicating potential for competitive pricing and vendor selection.
The vendor, OCLC, Inc., is a well-established entity in the library services sector, suggesting experience and reliability.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the agency over the contract term.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader information services and administrative support sector, specifically focusing on library cataloging. The market for these services includes specialized firms and non-profit organizations that manage bibliographic data and provide cataloging solutions. Federal spending in this area supports the operational efficiency of government libraries and information repositories, ensuring access to knowledge and research materials. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed service scope, but long-term contracts for specialized information management are common across agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the specialized nature of library cataloging services and the award to a specific entity (OCLC, Inc.), it is possible that small businesses were not directly involved in the prime contract. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring the vendor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports and internal oversight processes are generally not publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK)
National Library of Medicine Services
Government Publishing Office (GPO) Services
Information Management Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Potential for Vendor Lock-in
SAP Threshold Discrepancy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $61,105.33 to OCLC, INC. LIBRARY CATALOGING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OCLC, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61,105.33.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2029-03-31.

What is the specific scope of library cataloging services covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LIBRARY CATALOGING' and covers 'Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers' services. However, the precise details of the cataloging activities, such as the volume of items to be cataloged, the specific metadata standards to be applied (e.g., MARC, RDA), and the types of materials beyond books and periodicals, are not specified. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the service requirements and for accurate benchmarking against industry standards. Further documentation, such as the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), would be necessary to fully define the scope.

How does the per-unit cost of cataloging compare to industry benchmarks?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is not feasible with the current data. The contract value is a total award amount ($61.1 million) over a duration of 1086 days (approximately 3 years, though the end date suggests closer to 5 years). Without knowing the number of items to be cataloged, the complexity of each item, or the specific cataloging tasks performed (e.g., original cataloging vs. copy cataloging), it's impossible to derive a meaningful per-unit cost. Industry benchmarks for cataloging services vary widely based on these factors. To assess value, one would need to estimate the expected volume of work and compare the resulting implied cost per item or per hour to market rates for similar services.

What is OCLC, Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly for library services?

OCLC, Inc. is a well-established global library cooperative and a major provider of bibliographic data and cataloging services. While specific details of their federal contract history are not provided here, they are known to serve numerous academic, public, and special libraries, including those within government institutions. Their long-standing presence and extensive infrastructure suggest a significant track record. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing past federal contract awards to OCLC, Inc. for similar services, including performance ratings, contract values, and any documented issues or successes to gauge their reliability and expertise in serving government clients.

What are the potential risks associated with a nearly 5-year contract for library cataloging?

The primary risks associated with a long-term contract like this include technological obsolescence, changes in agency needs, and vendor performance degradation. Technology and best practices in library cataloging evolve, and a long-term commitment might lock the agency into outdated methods or systems. Furthermore, the agency's requirements could shift over five years due to new research priorities, changes in collection development, or evolving information access standards. There's also the risk that the vendor's performance could decline over time, or that the vendor might face financial or operational challenges, impacting service continuity. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and flexibility clauses.

How does this spending compare to historical federal investments in library cataloging services?

Historical spending data for federal library cataloging services is not provided in this context. However, federal agencies consistently invest in library and information management services to support research, policy development, and operational knowledge. The scale of this $61.1 million award suggests a significant and ongoing need for cataloging services, likely supporting a large and diverse collection for the CDC. To compare historically, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services across HHS and other agencies, adjusting for inflation and changes in scope or volume over time. This would reveal trends in federal spending on information management.

What are the implications of this contract being awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Awarding this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests that the total anticipated value was within the thresholds set for streamlined procurement (typically under $250,000, though specific agency thresholds can vary, and larger procurements can be broken down or utilize specific SAP authorities). However, the total contract value of $61.1 million appears significantly higher than standard SAP limits. This could indicate that the contract was awarded using specific SAP provisions for certain types of services or that the $61.1M represents a ceiling value over multiple years, with individual task orders or annual values falling within SAP limits. SAP awards are generally intended to be competed, promoting efficiency, but may have less stringent documentation and justification requirements compared to larger, formal solicitations, potentially impacting transparency and the breadth of competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers › Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 75D301-26-Q-78913

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6565 KILGOUR PL, DUBLIN, OH, 43017

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $187,266

Exercised Options: $61,105

Current Obligation: $61,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Timeline