Department of Energy awards $1.1M for web search portals, extending services through March 2027
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,025 ($11.0K)
Contractor: Relx Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $30/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CONTRACT NO: 89303026DGC000003 FIVE ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $11,025 to RELX INC. for work described as: CONTRACT NO: 89303026DGC000003 FIVE ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest investment for essential information services. 2. Competition dynamics for this type of specialized information service warrant further investigation. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and the need for ongoing subscription renewals. 4. Performance context is tied to the continued availability and quality of web search data. 5. This contract falls within the broader information services sector, supporting agency research and operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.1 million over approximately 3 years for web search portal subscriptions appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized information services is challenging without more detailed scope information. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests predictable costs for the government. The value proposition hinges on the criticality of the subscribed data to the Department of Energy's mission.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards below certain thresholds. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages multiple offers. This method aims to balance efficiency with fair competition, potentially leading to better pricing than a sole-source award.
Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a more competitive price than if the contract had been awarded without competition.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from access to critical web search data. Essential information services are delivered to support agency operations and research. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the agency is headquartered. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily affecting personnel who utilize the subscribed information.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price increases in future renewals if competition diminishes.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical web search data could pose a risk.
- Ensuring the continued relevance and accuracy of the subscribed data is crucial.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration.
- Competition under SAP suggests a degree of market responsiveness.
- Clear end dates for the contract provide a natural point for re-evaluation.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (NAICS 519290). This sector is characterized by companies providing access to information via the internet, often through proprietary databases or search technologies. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on digital information for research, business intelligence, and operational support across government and industry. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to ascertain without knowing the specific data sources and subscription levels.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of specialized information services, it is possible that larger, established vendors dominate this market. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Energy. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the vendor to deliver the specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance metrics and detailed usage data may not be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- Information Services Contracts
- Web Portal Subscriptions
- Data Services
- Research Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on third-party data sources
- Need for ongoing subscription renewals
Tags
information-services, web-search, department-of-energy, competed, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, district-of-columbia, naics-519290, relx-inc, subscription-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $11,025 to RELX INC.. CONTRACT NO: 89303026DGC000003 FIVE ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RELX INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11,025.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.
What is the specific nature of the web search data being provided by RELX INC. and how critical is it to the Department of Energy's operations?
The contract specifies 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' (NAICS 519290). While the exact data sources are not detailed in the provided information, RELX INC. (through its LexisNexis division, among others) is a major provider of legal, regulatory, news, and business information. For the Department of Energy, this data could be critical for tracking energy policy developments, regulatory changes, scientific research in related fields, and market intelligence. The value of the $1.1 million contract suggests a significant need for this information, likely supporting policy analysis, research initiatives, and operational decision-making across various DOE offices.
How does the $1.1 million contract value compare to historical spending by the Department of Energy on similar information services?
Without access to historical spending data specifically for this type of service from the Department of Energy, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the contract value of approximately $1.1 million over three years averages around $367,000 annually. This figure needs to be contextualized against the DOE's overall budget and its specific needs for information services. If the DOE has previously spent similar amounts or more on comparable data subscriptions, this contract may represent consistent or increased investment. Conversely, if this is a significant increase or decrease, it could indicate a shift in programmatic needs or a change in procurement strategy. Further analysis of past solicitations and awards for information services would be necessary for a robust historical comparison.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on RELX INC. for these web search portal services, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
A primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single provider, potentially leading to price escalations in future contract renewals. Another risk is the obsolescence or declining relevance of the provided data if the vendor's offerings do not keep pace with evolving information needs or technological advancements. Ensuring data accuracy and completeness is also a concern. Mitigation strategies typically include robust contract management, regular performance reviews, market research to identify alternative providers before renewal, and clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract. The firm-fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks, but the government must actively manage the scope and quality of services received.
What does 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' imply about the level of competition and its impact on the final price paid by the Department of Energy?
'Competed Under SAP' means the contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which are designed for purchases below certain dollar thresholds (typically $250,000, though this can be higher for certain types of procurements). While SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process, it still requires competition. This generally involves soliciting quotes from multiple sources. The implication is that the Department of Energy likely received offers from several vendors, allowing for price comparison and negotiation. This competitive process is expected to result in a fair and reasonable price for the government, likely more advantageous than a sole-source award, though perhaps not as intensely competitive as a full and open competition for a much larger contract.
Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract to ensure the quality and utility of the web search services?
The provided data does not explicitly list specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or detailed performance metrics for this contract. However, standard practice for information service contracts of this nature typically includes metrics related to data availability (uptime), search result relevance, response times, and the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the vendor is obligated to deliver the contracted services to an acceptable standard. The Department of Energy's contracting officer and program managers would be responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring that the services meet the agency's needs as defined in the contract's statement of work.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Relx PLC
Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE BLDG 4, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,025
Exercised Options: $11,025
Current Obligation: $11,025
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303026DGC000003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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