Department of Education awards $906M contract to Gartner, Inc. for web search and information services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $906,405 ($906.4K)
Contractor: Gartner, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS AWARD IS TO REPLACE THE EXPIRED FEDLINK CONTRACT OF LCFDL21D0001 AND TRANSFER TO LCFDL24D0001.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $906,405 to GARTNER, INC. for work described as: THIS AWARD IS TO REPLACE THE EXPIRED FEDLINK CONTRACT OF LCFDL21D0001 AND TRANSFER TO LCFDL24D0001. Key points: 1. Contract aims to replace expiring FEDLINK services, ensuring continuity for critical information access. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services. 3. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and efficient service delivery. 4. Performance period of two years indicates a focus on immediate and ongoing needs. 5. The award is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. Focus on web search and information services highlights the agency's reliance on digital resources.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $906.4 million over two years for web search and information services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale information service contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, which can lead to better value if the contractor can deliver efficiently. The replacement of an expiring contract also implies a known demand and established service level expectations.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to meet its needs effectively.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider range of providers to offer their best pricing and services.
Public Impact
Federal agencies and employees will benefit from continued access to essential web search and information services. The contract ensures the availability of resources for research, data retrieval, and knowledge management. Services are likely to be utilized across various departments within the Department of Education. Workforce implications include the potential for continued employment for individuals involved in managing and delivering these information services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if the chosen platform becomes deeply integrated without clear exit strategies.
- Risk of scope creep if the definition of 'web search and information services' is not precisely managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical information access could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarding to Gartner, Inc., a known entity in the information services space, suggests a degree of reliability.
- The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
- The replacement of an existing contract indicates a proven need and established operational framework.
Sector Analysis
The market for web search portals and information services is vast and highly competitive, encompassing companies that provide search engine technology, data aggregation, and knowledge management solutions. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on information access and retrieval. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise nature of the services, but large government contracts in this area often run into hundreds of millions of dollars annually, reflecting the critical role of information in government operations.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the large contract value and the nature of the services (web search and information services), it is possible that a prime contractor like Gartner, Inc. may engage small businesses for specialized support or components. However, without explicit information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Education. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General's office may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or potential fraud are identified.
Related Government Programs
- FEDLINK
- Information Services Contracts
- Web Search Technology
- Data Management Solutions
- IT Procurement
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on a single provider for critical information access
- Scope creep management
Tags
information-services, web-search, department-of-education, gartner-inc, delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, it-services, district-of-columbia, federal-contract, research-and-advisory
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $906,405 to GARTNER, INC.. THIS AWARD IS TO REPLACE THE EXPIRED FEDLINK CONTRACT OF LCFDL21D0001 AND TRANSFER TO LCFDL24D0001.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GARTNER, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $906,405.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.
What specific types of web search and information services are included under this contract?
The contract, identified by NAICS code 519290 (Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services), likely encompasses a broad range of services. This could include enterprise search solutions, access to specialized databases, market intelligence platforms, news aggregation services, and potentially tools for data analysis and visualization. Given the replacement of the FEDLINK contract, it may also involve library and information resource services. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, specifying the platforms, data sources, and support levels provided to the Department of Education.
How does the $906.4 million value compare to historical spending on similar services by the Department of Education or other federal agencies?
The $906.4 million award over two years represents a significant investment in information services. To benchmark this, one would need to compare it against the previous FEDLINK contract's spending and other large-scale IT or information service procurements by agencies of similar size and mission. For instance, if the previous FEDLINK contract was in a similar range, it suggests consistent demand. If it's a substantial increase, it might indicate expanded needs or a shift in service provision strategy. Without historical data specific to this contract vehicle or comparable agency spending on similar services, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount suggests a critical and ongoing need for these resources.
What is Gartner, Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly in information services?
Gartner, Inc. is a well-established global research and advisory company known for its expertise in IT and business strategy. They have a significant track record of contracting with the U.S. federal government, providing research, advisory services, and access to their extensive knowledge base. Their awards often cover areas like IT research, procurement advisory, and technology trend analysis. While specific details of past performance on contracts of this exact scope and value are not provided here, Gartner's general reputation and extensive experience in the information services sector suggest a capable provider for this type of requirement.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?
The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for a contract of this nature, typical KPIs would likely focus on service availability (uptime), response times for support requests, accuracy and timeliness of information provided, user satisfaction, and potentially cost-efficiency metrics. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor is responsible for meeting defined service levels within the agreed-upon price. These would be crucial elements outlined in the contract's statement of work and performance work statement.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader federal IT services market and competition?
This award, being a full and open competition for a substantial amount, signals a healthy and competitive market for web search and information services. It indicates that established players like Gartner can secure large federal contracts, but also that the procurement process was open to a wide range of potential bidders. The success of this competition might encourage other firms to invest in capabilities relevant to government information needs. Furthermore, the specific services procured could influence how other agencies approach similar needs, potentially driving standardization or innovation in the federal IT landscape.
Are there any specific risks associated with relying on Gartner, Inc. for these critical information services?
While Gartner, Inc. is a reputable firm, potential risks associated with any large, long-term contract include vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes heavily reliant on the contractor's proprietary systems or methodologies, making future transitions difficult or costly. There's also the risk of performance degradation over time or a failure to adapt to evolving technological needs if not managed proactively. Ensuring clear contract terms, robust oversight, and regular performance reviews are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the government continues to receive optimal value and service.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 56 TOP GALLANT RD, STAMFORD, CT, 06902
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,358,197
Exercised Options: $906,405
Current Obligation: $906,405
Actual Outlays: $906,405
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 03310324D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2026-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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