Commerce Department awards $1.4M subscription service contract to Inside Washington Publishers LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $139,500 ($139.5K)
Contractor: Inside Washington Publishers LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2023-04-01
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $127/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $139,500 to INSIDE WASHINGTON PUBLISHERS LLC for work described as: SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential subscription services for internal use. 2. Pricing appears competitive given the duration and scope. 3. Low risk indicated by the nature of the service and contractor. 4. Performance context is limited to subscription delivery. 5. This contract falls within the broader information services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $139,500 over three years for subscription services is reasonable. Benchmarking against similar information service contracts suggests this is within the expected range for specialized publications. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs and provides predictability for the agency.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards under the federal micro-purchase threshold. While specific bidder numbers are not provided, SAP generally encourages broad participation. This level of competition is expected to yield fair market pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP for this award suggests that taxpayers benefited from a competitive process that likely secured a fair price for the subscription services.
Public Impact
Provides critical information resources to the Department of Commerce. Supports internal operations and decision-making within the Office of the Secretary. Geographic impact is primarily within Washington D.C., where the agency is located. Workforce implications are indirect, supporting staff with necessary data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Contract competed under SAP, suggesting a fair process.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Contract duration is reasonable for subscription services.
Sector Analysis
This contract operates within the broader Information Services sector, specifically focusing on subscription-based content. The market for specialized news and analysis publications is diverse, with many providers catering to government and industry needs. Spending in this category is generally consistent with the need for up-to-date information across federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor are there specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. The contractor, Inside Washington Publishers LLC, is likely a small business itself, but the contract's nature does not suggest a significant impact on the broader small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a firm fixed-price award under SAP, oversight focuses on ensuring compliance with acquisition regulations and delivery of services as specified. Transparency is maintained through federal contract databases.
Related Government Programs
- Information Services
- Subscription Services
- Department of Commerce Contracts
Tags
information-services, subscription-services, department-of-commerce, office-of-the-secretary, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, district-of-columbia, small-contract-value, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $139,500 to INSIDE WASHINGTON PUBLISHERS LLC. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INSIDE WASHINGTON PUBLISHERS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $139,500.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.
What is the specific nature of the subscription services provided by Inside Washington Publishers LLC?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Information Services' (NAICS 519190) and specifically mentions 'SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES'. While the exact publications or databases are not detailed, Inside Washington Publishers LLC is known for providing news, analysis, and information services related to government and policy, particularly within the Washington D.C. sphere. These services likely support the Department of Commerce's understanding of regulatory environments, industry trends, and legislative developments relevant to its mission.
How does the $139,500 contract value compare to similar subscription service contracts within the federal government?
The contract value of $139,500 over three years ($46,500 annually) for specialized subscription services is considered moderate. Many federal agencies procure similar information resources, with costs varying widely based on the breadth and depth of coverage, exclusivity, and the number of users. For niche publications focused on policy and government affairs, this price point is generally competitive, especially when procured through a competed process under SAP. Larger enterprise-wide subscriptions or access to broad market data platforms can cost significantly more, often in the millions.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract for the Department of Commerce?
The risks associated with this contract appear to be low. The service is subscription-based, which is a standard and generally low-risk procurement. Potential risks could include the contractor failing to deliver timely or relevant content, or a change in the contractor's business model that impacts service availability. However, the firm fixed-price nature and the three-year duration provide a degree of cost certainty. The primary risk mitigation is the competitive procurement process and the agency's ability to monitor content delivery and relevance.
What is the track record of Inside Washington Publishers LLC in serving federal agencies?
Information on the specific track record of Inside Washington Publishers LLC with federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, their specialization in providing information services relevant to government operations suggests they are familiar with the needs of public sector clients. As a company operating in the Washington D.C. area, they are positioned to serve federal entities. Further due diligence would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and any publicly available contract history beyond this specific award.
What does the competition level (competed under SAP) imply for the value received by taxpayers?
The fact that this contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) implies that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, leading to a competitive price discovery process. SAP is designed for acquisitions below certain thresholds (currently $250,000), and agencies are encouraged to solicit quotes from multiple sources. This competition generally ensures that the government pays a fair market price, thereby providing good value for taxpayer dollars. It reduces the risk of overpayment compared to sole-source awards.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: 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
Address: 1919 S EADS ST STE 201, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $235,500
Exercised Options: $139,500
Current Obligation: $139,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 03310318DL19C0010
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2028-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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