HHS Awards $10.19M to Dun & Bradstreet for Subscription Services Through March 2026
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,185,635 ($10.2M)
Contractor: DUN & Bradstreet, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2024-05-02
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 698 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: DUN & BRADSTREET SUBSCRIPTION AND CORE SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $10.2 million to DUN & BRADSTREET, INC for work described as: DUN & BRADSTREET SUBSCRIPTION AND CORE SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for data and analytics services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and reliance on a single provider. 4. IT services sector, specifically data management and analytics.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $10.19 million over approximately two years appears high for subscription-based data services. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark against market rates for similar offerings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could lead to taxpayers paying a premium for these essential data services.
Public Impact
Access to critical business and financial data for government operations. Potential impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of HHS programs reliant on this data. Concerns about the government's ability to obtain the best value without competitive processes.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Essential data services
- Long-term contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically data management and analytics. Benchmarks for similar large-scale data subscription services are difficult to ascertain without competitive data, but the value suggests a significant scope of services.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., is a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific sole-source award, limiting opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial to ensure the services provided meet the needs of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources and that the pricing remains justified, even without competition. Regular performance reviews are essential.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source justification questionable
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Lack of small business participation
- Dependency on a single data provider
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $10.2 million to DUN & BRADSTREET, INC. DUN & BRADSTREET SUBSCRIPTION AND CORE SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DUN & BRADSTREET, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-02. End: 2026-03-31.
What specific data and analytical capabilities does Dun & Bradstreet provide to HHS, and how critical are these to the agency's mission?
Dun & Bradstreet provides subscription access to its extensive databases of business and financial information. These services are likely critical for HHS's financial management, risk assessment, grant oversight, and potentially for understanding the financial health of healthcare providers and partners.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative solutions explored?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary data, or a critical need that only one vendor can fulfill. HHS would need to document why no other vendor could meet these specific requirements and if any market research was conducted to confirm this exclusivity.
How will HHS ensure it is receiving fair value for these services given the lack of competitive bidding?
HHS can ensure fair value through rigorous contract management, including detailed performance metrics, regular reviews of service utilization, and benchmarking against publicly available data or industry reports where possible. Periodic re-evaluation of the sole-source justification is also important.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 75F40124R00052
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11710 PLAZA AMERICA DR STE 900, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,221,629
Exercised Options: $10,185,635
Current Obligation: $10,185,635
Actual Outlays: $9,350,440
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75F40120D00005
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-02
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2029-03-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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