Commerce Dept. Renews ProQuest Information Services Contract for $20.7M, Serving USPTO
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,731,852 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Proquest LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2014-10-01
End Date: 2018-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $20.7 million to PROQUEST LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL Key points: 1. Contract value of $20.7M over four years. 2. ProQuest LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Risk is moderate due to subscription renewal nature. 4. Information Services sector spending is significant.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's fixed price structure provides cost certainty. However, without competitive benchmarking, it's difficult to assess if the $20.7M represents optimal value for the information services provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition. However, the data indicates this is a renewal (AW: DELIVERY ORDER), suggesting the initial competition may have occurred earlier. The current renewal's pricing discovery mechanism is not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential information services for the USPTO. The value for money depends on the competitiveness of the original award and any subsequent price negotiations.
Public Impact
USPTO operations rely on access to comprehensive information databases. Patent and trademark examiners utilize these services for research and analysis. Timely access to accurate data is crucial for innovation and intellectual property protection.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of current competitive pricing data.
- Potential for price creep in subscription renewals.
Positive Signals
- Essential service for USPTO functions.
- Fixed price contract provides budget predictability.
Sector Analysis
The Information Services sector (NAICS 519190) encompasses a wide range of data and content providers. Spending in this sector is critical for government agencies requiring research, analytics, and knowledge management tools.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The primary contractor, ProQuest LLC, is a large entity, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses in this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve monitoring service delivery, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and reviewing pricing during renewal periods to ensure continued fair and reasonable costs.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Information Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed pricing history.
- Potential for vendor lock-in with subscription services.
- Absence of specific performance metrics.
- Limited visibility into current market alternatives.
Tags
all-other-information-services, department-of-commerce, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $20.7 million to PROQUEST LLC. IGF::OT::IGF SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PROQUEST LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-10-01. End: 2018-09-30.
What was the pricing basis for the original award, and how has it evolved?
The provided data does not detail the pricing basis for the original award or subsequent renewals. Understanding the initial competitive landscape and any price adjustments over time is crucial for assessing long-term value. Without this, it's difficult to determine if the current $20.7M represents a fair market price compared to the initial award.
Are there alternative information service providers that could offer comparable data at a lower cost?
Given this is a renewal, a thorough market analysis should have been conducted to identify potential competitors. The 'full and open competition' designation implies opportunities exist, but the renewal nature suggests ProQuest may have a strong incumbent advantage. Assessing the availability and cost-effectiveness of alternative solutions is key to mitigating risk and ensuring optimal value.
How effectively does this subscription service support the USPTO's core mission of examining patents and trademarks?
The contract's purpose directly supports the USPTO's mission by providing essential information resources. The effectiveness hinges on the quality, comprehensiveness, and accessibility of the data ProQuest offers. While the contract value is substantial, its true effectiveness is measured by its contribution to the USPTO's ability to conduct thorough examinations and protect intellectual property rights.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 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
Parent Company: R.R. Bowker LLC (UEI: 119208296)
Address: 789 E EISENHOWER PKWY, ANN ARBOR, MI, 48108
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,731,852
Exercised Options: $20,731,852
Current Obligation: $20,731,852
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: LC14C7149
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-10-01
Current End Date: 2018-09-30
Potential End Date: 2018-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-11-06
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