Agriculture Department awards $3M for electronic access to Wiley Online Library, spanning 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,084,905 ($3.1M)

Contractor: John Wiley & Sons Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2019-09-29

End Date: 2024-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ELECTRONIC ACCESS IN THE WILEY ONLINE LIBRARY

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.1 million to JOHN WILEY & SONS INC for work described as: ELECTRONIC ACCESS IN THE WILEY ONLINE LIBRARY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the multi-year access to a comprehensive research database. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of five years provides long-term access stability. 4. The contract supports a critical research function within the Agricultural Research Service. 5. This spending falls within the broader category of information and publication services for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.08 million over five years for electronic access to the Wiley Online Library suggests a cost of roughly $617,000 per year. This is a substantial investment, but it provides access to a vast repository of scientific journals and publications crucial for research. Benchmarking against similar multi-year subscriptions for academic and government libraries indicates that this pricing is generally in line with market rates for such comprehensive digital resources. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides budget certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to drive more favorable pricing and terms for the government. The agency likely sought proposals that offered the best value in terms of content access, user experience, and cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing the best possible price for the required services, preventing potential overpayment that could occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

Researchers and scientists within the Agricultural Research Service benefit from access to a wide range of scholarly articles and publications. The services delivered include continuous electronic access to the Wiley Online Library, supporting agricultural research and development. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting ARS facilities across the United States. This contract supports the knowledge base of the scientific workforce within the Department of Agriculture.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future renewals if competition is not maintained.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical research resource could pose a risk if the vendor's offerings change significantly.

Positive Signals

Provides essential access to a broad range of scientific literature, supporting the agency's mission.
The firm fixed-price contract offers budget predictability over the contract period.
Full and open competition suggests a well-managed procurement process.

Sector Analysis

The market for academic and scientific publishing is dominated by a few large international publishers, including Wiley. This contract represents a significant expenditure within the information services sector, specifically for digital content access. Comparable spending benchmarks for large institutions often involve multi-million dollar annual subscriptions for access to extensive journal databases. The Agricultural Research Service's need for up-to-date research aligns with the services provided by major academic publishers.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of providing access to a large online library typically involves direct services from the primary publisher, which are often large, established corporations. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Accountability is maintained through the delivery of uninterrupted electronic access as specified in the contract terms. Transparency is generally provided through federal contract databases where this award is listed. The Inspector General's office for the Department of Agriculture would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Depository Library Program
National Agricultural Library Services
Government Publishing Office (GPO) services

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may require future re-competition to ensure continued value.
Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative platforms are not equally comprehensive or cost-effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.1 million to JOHN WILEY & SONS INC. ELECTRONIC ACCESS IN THE WILEY ONLINE LIBRARY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOHN WILEY & SONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-29. End: 2024-09-29.

What is the historical spending pattern for electronic library access by the Agricultural Research Service?

Historical spending data for electronic library access by the Agricultural Research Service would provide crucial context for evaluating the current $3.08 million award. Analyzing past expenditures on similar databases or journal subscriptions would reveal trends in pricing, contract duration, and vendor relationships. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower or for shorter durations, it might indicate an increase in costs or a strategic shift towards longer-term access. Conversely, if spending has been consistently high and for multi-year periods, the current award might represent a continuation of established practice. Without specific historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in electronic resources.

How does the per-user cost of this subscription compare to other federal agencies or academic institutions?

Determining the precise per-user cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of anticipated users or concurrent access licenses associated with the Wiley Online Library subscription. However, if we consider the total contract value of approximately $3.08 million over five years, equating to roughly $617,000 annually, this represents a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale institutional subscriptions suggests that such annual costs are not uncommon for comprehensive access to major academic publishers' content. Federal agencies often negotiate enterprise-wide licenses that aim to reduce per-user costs compared to individual departmental subscriptions. Academic institutions with similar research profiles might pay comparable amounts, depending on the breadth of content and negotiation leverage. A detailed comparison would require access to specific user metrics and pricing structures from comparable entities.

What is the track record of John Wiley & Sons Inc. in fulfilling federal contracts for information services?

John Wiley & Sons Inc. is a major global publisher with a long history of providing academic and professional content. Their track record in fulfilling federal contracts for information services is generally robust, given their established position in the market. Federal agencies frequently procure access to Wiley's extensive journal and book collections. Performance typically involves ensuring reliable electronic access, timely updates, and adherence to licensing terms. While specific contract performance metrics for this particular award are not detailed here, Wiley's consistent presence in the federal procurement landscape suggests a capacity to meet the requirements of agencies like the Agricultural Research Service. Any past performance issues would typically be documented in federal contract databases or agency performance reviews.

What specific research areas within the Agricultural Research Service are most heavily reliant on the Wiley Online Library?

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts research across a broad spectrum of disciplines aimed at ensuring the productivity and sustainability of American agriculture. Key research areas that would heavily rely on the Wiley Online Library include plant and animal sciences, soil and water conservation, entomology, plant pathology, food safety, nutrition, and agricultural economics. Access to journals published by Wiley, such as those in fields like 'Plant Physiology', 'Journal of Animal Science', or 'Environmental Microbiology', is critical for ARS scientists to stay abreast of the latest findings, methodologies, and global research trends. This enables them to conduct cutting-edge research, develop innovative solutions to agricultural challenges, and inform policy decisions.

Are there alternative providers of similar electronic library access, and how does Wiley compare in terms of content scope and cost?

Yes, there are several alternative providers of electronic library access, including other major academic publishers like Elsevier (ScienceDirect), Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and aggregators such as ProQuest and EBSCO. Each offers a vast collection of journals and books, but the specific scope and depth of content can vary. Wiley is known for its strong portfolio in areas like life sciences, chemistry, engineering, and social sciences, which are highly relevant to agricultural research. When comparing, the Agricultural Research Service would have evaluated factors such as the number and impact of journals included, the availability of specific titles crucial to ARS research, the platform's usability, and the overall cost-effectiveness. Full and open competition implies that Wiley's offering was deemed competitive against these alternatives at the time of award, likely balancing content breadth with pricing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Printing and Related Support Activities › Books Printing

Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA19Q0111

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Address: 111 RIVER ST STE 2000, HOBOKEN, NJ, 07030

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,084,905

Exercised Options: $3,084,905

Current Obligation: $3,084,905

Actual Outlays: $3,084,905

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F0010M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline