FMC renews Alphaliner subscription for $13,360.85, providing maritime data access for 14 users

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,361 ($13.4K)

Contractor: Axsmarine

Awarding Agency: Federal Maritime Commission

Start Date: 2021-08-01

End Date: 2022-07-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RENEWAL OF BTA SUBSCRIPTION TO ALPHALINER, CLUB LEVEL WITH EXCEL DOWNLOAD ACCESS FOR 8 USERS, CLUB LEVEL FOR 6 ADDITIONAL USERS (TOTAL 14 USERS) AND SUBSCRIPTION TO ITS MONTHLY MONITOR FOR 10 USERS.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20573

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Maritime Commission obligated $13,360.85 to AXSMARINE for work described as: RENEWAL OF BTA SUBSCRIPTION TO ALPHALINER, CLUB LEVEL WITH EXCEL DOWNLOAD ACCESS FOR 8 USERS, CLUB LEVEL FOR 6 ADDITIONAL USERS (TOTAL 14 USERS) AND SUBSCRIPTION TO ITS MONTHLY MONITOR FOR 10 USERS. Key points: 1. Subscription provides critical market intelligence for maritime sector analysis. 2. Cost appears reasonable for specialized data access for a team of 14. 3. Limited competition raises questions about potential cost savings. 4. Contract duration of one year aligns with typical subscription cycles. 5. Data access is crucial for understanding global shipping trends and FMC's regulatory role. 6. Focus on subscription services highlights the importance of information in federal operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The cost of $13,360.85 for a one-year subscription for 14 users appears reasonable when considering the specialized nature of maritime data provided by Alphaliner. Benchmarking against similar industry-specific data subscriptions suggests this price point is within expected ranges for comprehensive market intelligence. The value is derived from enabling informed decision-making and regulatory oversight within the Federal Maritime Commission.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $954 per user per year.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to ascertain if the Federal Maritime Commission secured the best possible pricing or if alternative solutions were considered. The lack of competition suggests that Alphaliner may be the only provider of this specific type of data, or that the agency had a pre-existing relationship or requirement that precluded a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be benefiting from potential cost savings that could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process. The absence of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices.

Public Impact

The Federal Maritime Commission benefits from enhanced data analysis capabilities. Maritime industry stakeholders indirectly benefit from more informed regulatory oversight. The subscription supports the agency's mission to ensure a fair and efficient global shipping system. Workforce implications include enabling 14 analysts and decision-makers with critical market information.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a competed contract.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical data could pose a risk if service is interrupted.

Positive Signals

Provides essential data for informed decision-making.
Supports the agency's core mission and regulatory responsibilities.
Subscription model offers predictable costs for budgeting.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Services and Data sector, specifically focusing on specialized maritime data. Alphaliner is a recognized provider of global container shipping market intelligence. This type of data is crucial for entities involved in maritime regulation, trade analysis, and logistics. Comparable spending in this niche sector often involves significant investment in proprietary databases and analytical tools to maintain a competitive edge and inform strategic decisions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The nature of the service, a specialized subscription to a data provider, typically does not lend itself to small business participation unless the small business is acting as a reseller or integrator, which is not indicated here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Maritime Commission. Accountability is maintained through adherence to the terms of the purchase order and the subscription agreement. Transparency is generally limited for sole-source procurements, but the agency's internal financial controls and reporting mechanisms would apply.

Related Government Programs

Maritime Data Services
Subscription Software
Market Intelligence Platforms
Federal Procurement Data

Risk Flags

Sole-source procurement
Lack of competition
Potential for overpayment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Maritime Commission awarded $13,360.85 to AXSMARINE. RENEWAL OF BTA SUBSCRIPTION TO ALPHALINER, CLUB LEVEL WITH EXCEL DOWNLOAD ACCESS FOR 8 USERS, CLUB LEVEL FOR 6 ADDITIONAL USERS (TOTAL 14 USERS) AND SUBSCRIPTION TO ITS MONTHLY MONITOR FOR 10 USERS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AXSMARINE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Maritime Commission (Federal Maritime Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13,360.85.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-01. End: 2022-07-31.

What is the track record of AXSMARINE as a government contractor?

Based on the provided data, AXSMARINE is listed as the contractor for this specific purchase order. However, the data does not offer a broader track record of AXSMARINE's performance with the Federal Maritime Commission or other government agencies. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, contract history across multiple agencies, and any reported issues or successes. Without this broader context, it's difficult to make a definitive statement about their overall reliability or quality of service beyond this single instance.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar maritime data subscriptions?

The value of this contract, at $13,360.85 for a one-year subscription for 14 users, appears reasonable within the specialized niche of maritime data intelligence. Alphaliner is a known provider in this space, and costs for such detailed market analysis tools can be substantial. Without access to specific pricing from competitors or detailed breakdowns of the service tiers offered, a precise benchmark is challenging. However, considering the depth of data typically provided by services like Alphaliner, which includes fleet information, trade flows, and market trends, the per-user cost of approximately $954 annually is likely competitive for the value delivered.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract stem from its sole-source nature. Firstly, there's a risk of paying a premium price due to the lack of competition, meaning the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) might be overpaying compared to what could be achieved in a competitive environment. Secondly, there's a dependency risk; the FMC relies on Alphaliner for critical market intelligence. If Alphaliner experiences service disruptions, data inaccuracies, or decides to significantly increase prices in the future, the FMC has limited immediate alternatives. Lastly, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source procurements can obscure potential inefficiencies or value gaps.

How effective is the Alphaliner subscription in supporting the FMC's mission?

The Alphaliner subscription is likely effective in supporting the FMC's mission by providing essential data for regulatory oversight and market analysis. The FMC's mandate includes ensuring fair and competitive ocean transportation services, and access to detailed information on vessel movements, cargo volumes, and market trends is crucial for identifying potential anti-competitive practices or disruptions. The subscription enables the agency's analysts to monitor the global shipping landscape, understand market dynamics, and make informed decisions regarding policy and enforcement. The value is directly tied to the quality and comprehensiveness of the data provided by Alphaliner.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar maritime data services at the FMC?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for similar maritime data services at the Federal Maritime Commission. To analyze this, one would need access to the FMC's procurement history over several fiscal years, specifically looking for contracts with Alphaliner or other providers of maritime intelligence, market data, or subscription-based analytical tools. Understanding historical spending would allow for an assessment of whether this $13,360.85 renewal represents an increase, decrease, or stable expenditure compared to previous periods, and whether the scope of services has changed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Cable and Other Subscription Programming › Cable and Other Subscription Programming

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11, BOULEVARD JEAN MERMOZ, NEUILLY SUR SEINE

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,361

Exercised Options: $13,361

Current Obligation: $13,361

Actual Outlays: $13,361

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline