DOE's $469K Bloomberg BNEF Licenses for Loan Programs Office: Not Competed
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,904 ($46.9K)
Contractor: Bloomberg Finance LP
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-04-26
End Date: 2024-04-30
Contract Duration: 370 days
Daily Burn Rate: $127/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THIS BPA CALL IS ISSUED AGAINST MASTER BPA 89303019AEE000001 TO OBTAIN ELEVEN (11) BLOOMBERG NEW ENERGY FINANCE (BNEF) USER LICENSES FOR THE LOAN PROGRAMS (LP) OFFICE. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 05/01/2023 TO 4/30/2024. REQ 23LP000117
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $46,904.06 to BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP for work described as: THIS BPA CALL IS ISSUED AGAINST MASTER BPA 89303019AEE000001 TO OBTAIN ELEVEN (11) BLOOMBERG NEW ENERGY FINANCE (BNEF) USER LICENSES FOR THE LOAN PROGRAMS (LP) OFFICE. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 05/01/2023 TO 4/30/2024. REQ 23LP000117 Key points: 1. Spending is for essential Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) user licenses. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk is moderate due to reliance on a single vendor for specialized data. 4. The IT services sector is characterized by high demand for data analytics platforms.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $469,040 price for 11 BNEF licenses appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the data and the typical high cost of such subscriptions. Benchmarking is difficult without access to competitor pricing for similar specialized financial data services.
Cost Per Unit: $3,809 per user per year
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This BPA call was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This approach may lead to higher prices than if multiple vendors were allowed to bid, potentially limiting price discovery and value for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competition for these specialized financial data licenses.
Public Impact
Loan Programs Office gains access to critical energy market intelligence. Supports informed decision-making for energy sector investments and policy. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source procurement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Sole-source procurement
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Essential service for program office
- Clear period of performance
Sector Analysis
The Information Technology sector, specifically data services, is crucial for government operations. Spending on specialized data platforms like BNEF is common but often involves high costs and limited vendor options, making competition vital.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a direct call against a master BPA with a known provider, Bloomberg Finance LP.
Oversight & Accountability
The lack of competition for this BPA call warrants oversight to ensure the pricing is justified and that future procurements explore competitive options where feasible.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Information Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of documented price competition
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited vendor alternatives
Tags
all-other-information-services, department-of-energy, dc, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $46,904.06 to BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP. THIS BPA CALL IS ISSUED AGAINST MASTER BPA 89303019AEE000001 TO OBTAIN ELEVEN (11) BLOOMBERG NEW ENERGY FINANCE (BNEF) USER LICENSES FOR THE LOAN PROGRAMS (LP) OFFICE. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM 05/01/2023 TO 4/30/2024. REQ 23LP000117
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLOOMBERG FINANCE LP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $46,904.06.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-04-26. End: 2024-04-30.
What is the justification for not competing this BPA call, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?
The justification for not competing this BPA call is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, sole-source procurements require a justification and approval process. The price was likely determined to be fair and reasonable based on historical pricing, market research, or vendor quotes, but without further documentation, this cannot be confirmed.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical energy market data?
The primary risks include potential price increases without competitive pressure, limited flexibility in adopting new technologies or features from other providers, and a single point of failure if the vendor experiences service disruptions. This reliance can also hinder innovation and potentially lead to suboptimal resource allocation.
How does access to Bloomberg BNEF data specifically enhance the effectiveness of the Loan Programs Office?
Bloomberg BNEF provides in-depth data, analytics, and news on energy markets, technology, and policy. For the Loan Programs Office, this data is crucial for assessing the viability of energy projects, understanding market trends, identifying investment risks and opportunities, and making informed decisions on loan approvals and portfolio management.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 731 LEXINGTON AVE, NEW YORK, NY, 10022
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $128,177
Exercised Options: $128,177
Current Obligation: $46,904
Actual Outlays: $46,904
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303019AEE000001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-04-26
Current End Date: 2024-04-30
Potential End Date: 2026-04-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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