HUD awards $96.4M contract for web search portals and information services to Moody's Analytics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $96,395 ($96.4K)

Contractor: Moody's Analytics, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2026-05-06

End Date: 2027-05-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $265/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INDUSTRY DATA AND CREDIT ANALYTICS (IDCA)

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10007

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $96,395 to MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC. for work described as: INDUSTRY DATA AND CREDIT ANALYTICS (IDCA) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. The contract duration of 364 days is standard for this type of service. 3. The firm fixed-price structure shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Awarded to a single contractor, Moody's Analytics, Inc., indicating specialized capabilities. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 519290 covers web search portals and information services. 6. The contract is for services to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires access to specific service level agreements and detailed task orders. However, the award to a well-established firm like Moody's Analytics suggests a level of confidence in their ability to deliver. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can manage their expenses effectively within the agreed price. Without detailed performance metrics or comparable contract data, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process is a positive indicator.

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 presence of three bidders (no=3) suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and encourages contractors to offer their best terms and pricing to secure the award. The government received multiple proposals, allowing for comparison and selection of the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which is expected to drive down costs and ensure the government receives fair market value for the web search portal and information services.

Public Impact

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will benefit from enhanced web search portal and information services. These services are likely to support HUD's mission in areas such as housing, community development, and fair housing. The contract supports the information services sector, contributing to the digital infrastructure of federal agencies. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal operations. The contract may indirectly support a workforce skilled in data analytics, information management, and web services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical information services could pose a risk if the vendor's performance degrades.
Ensuring data accuracy and security within the web search portals is paramount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Contract duration is standard, allowing for predictable service delivery.
Awarded to a reputable firm, Moody's Analytics, Inc.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically NAICS code 519290 (Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services). This sector is characterized by companies that provide access to information, often through proprietary databases, search engines, or curated content. Spending in this area supports government functions related to data management, research, and public access to information. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the information services provided, but federal agencies consistently invest in such capabilities to support their operations and public outreach.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false) or subcontracting plan (sb=false). Therefore, the primary award is to a large business, Moody's Analytics, Inc. While there are no explicit provisions for small business participation in this specific award, large federal contractors are often encouraged or required to subcontract with small businesses on other contracts. The absence of a set-aside here means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this particular award were limited to the initial full and open competition phase.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's contracting officers and program managers. They will be responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, where the contractor is financially responsible for delivering the specified services. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology Services
Government Data Management Solutions
Web Portal Development and Maintenance
Information Dissemination Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Data security and privacy concerns
Performance monitoring challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $96,395 to MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC.. INDUSTRY DATA AND CREDIT ANALYTICS (IDCA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOODY'S ANALYTICS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $96,395.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-06. End: 2027-05-05.

What is the track record of Moody's Analytics, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Moody's Analytics, Inc. has a history of performing contracts with federal agencies, though specific details on past performance for web search portals and information services would require a deeper dive into contract databases. As a well-established financial data and analytics firm, their core competencies likely align with providing sophisticated information services. Federal agencies often award contracts to companies with proven expertise in data analysis, information management, and technology solutions. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services provided, past performance ratings, and any significant issues encountered. However, the award of this contract by HUD suggests that Moody's Analytics, Inc. met the government's criteria for technical capability and past performance in relevant areas.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar web search portal services?

Determining the precise value-for-money requires comparing the awarded price against market rates for comparable services. This contract is for 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' (NAICS 519290) with a duration of 364 days and a value of $96.4 million. Benchmarking this requires detailed knowledge of the specific services, data sources, user base, and service level agreements. Without this granular information, a direct comparison to market rates is difficult. However, the fact that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with three bidders suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive by HUD. Further analysis would involve examining the cost breakdown, if available, and comparing it to industry benchmarks for similar information service providers.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks for the government in this contract include potential vendor lock-in, performance degradation, and data security breaches. Since the contract is awarded to a single entity, Moody's Analytics, Inc., there's a risk of over-reliance on this specific vendor. If the contractor's performance declines or if they face financial instability, it could disrupt HUD's operations. Furthermore, the nature of information services necessitates robust data security measures; any breach could have significant consequences. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates cost overrun risks but places the onus on the contractor to manage their expenses, which could indirectly impact service quality if not managed properly. Clear performance metrics and strong oversight are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring successful service delivery for this contract?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring successful service delivery when the scope of work is well-defined and understood. For this contract, awarded for web search portals and information services, an FFP structure places the responsibility for managing costs and delivering the agreed-upon services squarely on Moody's Analytics, Inc. This incentivizes the contractor to be efficient and to deliver high-quality services within the budget. The government benefits from cost certainty, as the total price is fixed. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the contract's statement of work and performance standards. If requirements are ambiguous or change frequently, an FFP contract can lead to disputes or a contractor's reluctance to accommodate necessary modifications without additional cost, potentially impacting the overall success of the service delivery.

What are the historical spending patterns for web search portals and information services at HUD?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for web search portals and information services at HUD would provide context for the current $96.4 million award. Without access to specific historical data for this NAICS code at HUD, a precise comparison is not possible. However, federal agencies, including HUD, have increasingly relied on digital information services to support their missions. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on agency needs, technological advancements, and budget allocations. It's common for agencies to award multi-year contracts for such services, often through competitive processes. Understanding past spending levels, contract durations, and vendor performance would help assess whether this current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these capabilities for HUD.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 86615625Q00007

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Moody's Corporation

Address: 7 WORLD TRADE CENTER, NEW YORK CITY, NY, 10007

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $532,646

Exercised Options: $96,395

Current Obligation: $96,395

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline