USDA-ERS awards $101.9M Adobe Analytics contract to Communications Professionals Inc. for server calls

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $101,966 ($102.0K)

Contractor: Communications Professionals Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-08-29

End Date: 2027-08-27

Contract Duration: 728 days

Daily Burn Rate: $140/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADOBE ANALYTICS: ONDEMAND SERVER CALLS IN SUPPORT OF USDA-ERS

Place of Performance

Location: TROY, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48083

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $101,966.4 to COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS INC. for work described as: ADOBE ANALYTICS: ONDEMAND SERVER CALLS IN SUPPORT OF USDA-ERS Key points: 1. Contract value of $101.9M for Adobe Analytics server calls. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the established nature of the software and service. 4. Sector is IT services supporting agricultural research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $101.9M for Adobe Analytics server calls over two years appears high. Benchmarking against similar enterprise software licensing and support contracts is difficult without specific usage metrics, but the per-server call cost could be substantial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically allows for the widest range of potential bidders and can lead to more competitive pricing. The impact on price discovery is positive, as multiple vendors had the opportunity to submit proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in essential IT infrastructure.

Public Impact

Supports critical data analysis for USDA's Agricultural Research Service. Ensures continued operation of essential IT services for agricultural research. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding on software and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

High contract value may warrant further scrutiny of unit costs.
Dependence on a single software vendor (Adobe) can create long-term cost lock-in.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Contract supports a vital government function (agricultural research).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically for software licensing and support services. Spending benchmarks for enterprise analytics platforms can vary widely based on user base, features, and support levels, but $101.9M over two years is a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, it is unclear if small businesses were prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this significant IT procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a Delivery Order under a larger contract structure suggests that oversight mechanisms are in place. However, the substantial value of this order necessitates diligent monitoring of performance and costs to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

High contract value.
Potential for vendor lock-in with proprietary software.
Limited insight into specific service components and usage metrics.
Need for detailed cost-benefit analysis against industry benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $101,966.4 to COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS INC.. ADOBE ANALYTICS: ONDEMAND SERVER CALLS IN SUPPORT OF USDA-ERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONALS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $101,966.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-29. End: 2027-08-27.

What specific Adobe Analytics features and support levels are included in this $101.9M contract, and how do they align with USDA-ERS's research needs?

The contract details for specific Adobe Analytics features and support levels are not provided in the summary data. Understanding the precise functionalities and service level agreements is crucial to assess if the $101.9M value is justified by the research requirements of the USDA-ERS. Without this, it's difficult to confirm if the investment directly supports critical analytical needs or if there's potential for over-provisioning.

How does the per-server call cost benchmark against industry standards for similar government or enterprise-level Adobe Analytics deployments?

Benchmarking the per-server call cost is challenging without knowing the exact volume of calls anticipated and the specific Adobe Analytics product suite being licensed. However, a $101.9M contract over two years implies a substantial number of server calls. A detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing this rate to publicly available government contract data or industry reports for comparable deployments would be necessary to determine if it represents a fair market price.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the ongoing effectiveness and value of this Adobe Analytics service throughout the contract duration?

The contract's effectiveness will be managed through standard government oversight processes, including performance monitoring and adherence to the firm fixed price agreement. Regular reviews of usage, system performance, and alignment with USDA-ERS's evolving research needs are essential. The two-year duration allows for periodic assessments to ensure the continued value proposition and identify any necessary adjustments or future requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Food Manufacturing › Coffee and Tea Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA25Q0731

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2265 LIVERNOIS RD STE 900, TROY, MI, 48083

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $271,164

Exercised Options: $101,966

Current Obligation: $101,966

Actual Outlays: $49,843

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA18D001S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline