GSA's $7M Getty Images subscription provides web search portals and imaging services for over 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,000 ($7.0K)

Contractor: Getty Images (US), Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PHOTOGRAPHIC/IMAGING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, OY3 (FORMER HUD CONTRACT NO. 86614323P00003)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20410

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7,000 to GETTY IMAGES (US), INC. for work described as: PHOTOGRAPHIC/IMAGING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, OY3 (FORMER HUD CONTRACT NO. 86614323P00003) Key points: 1. The contract leverages a firm-fixed-price structure, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, but it was competed under SAP. 3. The duration of over 3 years suggests a sustained need for these services. 4. The service falls under the 'Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services' NAICS code. 5. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending on information services. 6. Performance is tied to a fixed end date, allowing for reassessment of needs. 7. The contract is managed by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7 million over approximately one year is reasonable for a subscription service providing photographic and imaging content. Benchmarking against similar government-wide or agency-specific subscriptions for high-quality imagery is difficult without more granular data on usage and content scope. However, Getty Images is a well-established provider, suggesting a competitive market price for its services. The firm-fixed-price nature helps control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less extensive competition process than full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP is generally used for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, suggesting a potentially smaller pool of interested vendors compared to larger, more complex solicitations. This approach aims for efficiency in smaller procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: Using SAP can lead to faster acquisition but may limit the potential for achieving the absolute lowest price through broad market competition. Taxpayers benefit from efficient procurement, but the full extent of cost savings from broader competition might not be realized.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring high-quality photographic and imaging content for official use, such as public affairs, reports, and web content, will benefit from this subscription. The service delivers access to a vast library of digital images, supporting various government communication and documentation needs. The geographic impact is nationwide, as federal agencies operate across the United States. This contract supports the information services sector by providing revenue to a major content provider.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP might not yield the best possible price.
Lack of detailed usage metrics makes it hard to assess true value for money.
Reliance on a single vendor for a broad range of imaging needs could pose a risk if service levels decline.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Getty Images is a reputable provider with a large content library.
GSA's involvement suggests adherence to federal procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

The market for digital imagery and web portal services is substantial, encompassing stock photo agencies, content delivery networks, and information aggregation services. Federal agencies increasingly rely on digital content for communication and operations. This contract fits within the broader information services sector, where providers offer subscription-based access to vast digital libraries. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to pinpoint without specific usage data, but government-wide subscriptions for similar services can range from thousands to millions of dollars annually depending on scope and user base.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract includes specific small business set-asides. As a subscription service likely procured through simplified acquisition procedures, the primary vendor is Getty Images, a large corporation. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but would likely be minimal unless Getty Images engages them for specific content creation or distribution needs not covered by the core subscription.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) oversees this contract, implying adherence to federal procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms. The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) is responsible for managing the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected within the procurement or performance of the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology, Infrastructure, and Services
Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)
Digital Content and Media Services
Web Portal and Information Aggregation Services

Risk Flags

Potential for higher cost due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Dependence on a single vendor for a critical service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7,000 to GETTY IMAGES (US), INC.. PHOTOGRAPHIC/IMAGING SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE, OY3 (FORMER HUD CONTRACT NO. 86614323P00003)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GETTY IMAGES (US), INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-04-05.

What is the historical spending pattern for photographic and imaging subscription services by the GSA or other federal agencies?

Historical spending on photographic and imaging subscription services by federal agencies can vary significantly based on agency needs and budget allocations. GSA, through its various schedules and contract vehicles, facilitates the procurement of such services. While specific aggregate data for 'photographic/imaging subscription services' is not readily available as a distinct category in public databases, agencies procure imagery through various means, including direct subscriptions, blanket purchase agreements, and individual task orders under larger IT or professional services contracts. Spending can range from tens of thousands for smaller agency needs to millions for large-scale, enterprise-wide licenses. The $7 million value for this Getty Images contract suggests a significant, potentially government-wide or large agency-specific, requirement for high-quality visual content over its multi-year term.

How does the pricing of this Getty Images subscription compare to commercial market rates for similar services?

Comparing the pricing of this $7 million Getty Images subscription to commercial market rates is challenging without knowing the exact scope, number of users, and specific content tiers included. Getty Images offers various subscription plans, from individual licenses to enterprise-level solutions. Commercial enterprise licenses can cost tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on usage rights and the size of the organization. Given the federal government's scale, a $7 million contract over approximately three years (averaging around $2.3 million per year) suggests a comprehensive, high-volume agreement. It is plausible that the government, through GSA's procurement power, negotiates favorable enterprise rates that are competitive with, or potentially better than, what large commercial entities might pay for equivalent access, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which offers cost certainty.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this Getty Images subscription contract. Typically, for subscription services, performance metrics might include aspects like website uptime, search result relevance, image download speeds, and the availability of content. SLAs would define acceptable performance thresholds and potential remedies or credits for non-compliance. As this is a firm-fixed-price contract for a subscription service, the primary performance expectation is the continued availability and accessibility of the contracted content library and platform features throughout the contract period. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS).

What is the track record of Getty Images (US), Inc. as a federal contractor, particularly with GSA?

Getty Images (US), Inc. has a history of contracting with the U.S. federal government, including through GSA. As a major global provider of digital media content, its participation in federal procurement is expected. While this specific contract (OY3) is noted, Getty Images likely holds or has held other contracts or agreements with various federal agencies for similar services. Their track record generally involves providing licensed imagery for a wide range of governmental uses, from public relations and marketing materials to internal publications and websites. GSA's engagement with Getty Images suggests a level of confidence in their ability to meet federal requirements for quality, licensing, and service delivery, although specific performance details on past contracts would require deeper database analysis.

Are there alternative providers or solutions that could offer similar photographic/imaging services at a lower cost?

Yes, there are numerous alternative providers and solutions for photographic and imaging services, including other stock photo agencies (e.g., Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Alamy), specialized government-focused content providers, and potentially in-house content creation capabilities. The cost-effectiveness of alternatives depends heavily on the specific needs: volume of images required, licensing rights (e.g., editorial vs. commercial use, exclusivity), image quality, and geographic scope. While Getty Images is a premium provider, other platforms might offer comparable content at different price points or through different licensing models. The government's decision to contract with Getty Images, even under SAP, implies that a competitive analysis was likely performed, or that Getty Images was deemed the most suitable option based on specific criteria, potentially including content breadth, quality, and existing familiarity.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 47QACA25R0169

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 195 BROADWAY FL 10, NEW YORK, NY, 10007

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,000

Exercised Options: $7,000

Current Obligation: $7,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline