EPA Awards $1.7M for Altmetric and Figshare Access to Digital Science & Research Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $169,709 ($169.7K)

Contractor: Digital Science & Research Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-04-07

End Date: 2027-04-10

Contract Duration: 1,464 days

Daily Burn Rate: $116/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ALTMETRIC AND FIGSHARE ACCESS

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27711

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $169,709 to DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ALTMETRIC AND FIGSHARE ACCESS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the duration and scope of software access. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially competitive award, though details are limited. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm-fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Performance context suggests a need for data access and analytics services. 5. Sector positioning is within the software and data services domain for environmental research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.7 million over approximately four years for software access and support is within a reasonable range for enterprise-level data solutions. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data analytics platforms or specialized research software suggests this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value by locking in costs and incentivizing efficient service delivery from the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process suitable for the contract's value. While specific details on the number of bidders are not provided, SAP typically allows for multiple quotes, fostering price discovery. This approach aims to ensure fair market prices are obtained for the required services.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of competitive procedures, even under SAP, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure the government is not overpaying for the software and associated services.

Public Impact

Environmental researchers and analysts within the EPA will benefit from access to ALTMETRIC and FIGSHARE data. The services delivered include access to specialized data platforms for research and analysis. The geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's mission across the United States. Workforce implications include enabling EPA staff to conduct more robust environmental research and policy development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative data sources are not explored.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical data access could pose a risk if service levels degrade.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Established vendor with a track record in digital solutions.
Competitive procurement process likely secured favorable terms.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Software sector, specifically focusing on data analytics and research platforms. The market for such services is robust, with numerous providers offering solutions for data aggregation, analysis, and visualization. The EPA's spending aligns with government-wide trends towards leveraging data for evidence-based decision-making and scientific research.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the services (specialized data access platforms), it is likely that larger, specialized firms were best positioned to bid. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could potentially arise if the prime contractor requires specialized support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified access and support. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for general oversight.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Data Services
Research Software Procurement
Data Analytics Platforms
Scientific Information Access

Risk Flags

Limited detail on competition specifics
Potential for vendor lock-in

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $169,709 to DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC. ALTMETRIC AND FIGSHARE ACCESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $169,709.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-07. End: 2027-04-10.

What is the historical spending by the EPA on ALTMETRIC and FIGSHARE access or similar data services?

Historical spending data specifically for 'ALTMETRIC AND FIGSHARE ACCESS' by the EPA is not readily available in the provided data snippet. However, the current award of $1.7 million over approximately four years suggests a significant, ongoing need for such data services. Federal agencies, including the EPA, increasingly invest in data analytics and research platforms to support their missions. Benchmarking against broader categories like 'Software Publishers' (NAICS 513210) or 'Information Services' can provide context. For instance, the total federal spending in the Software Publishers category can reach billions annually, indicating that while this specific contract is substantial for its purpose, it represents a small fraction of overall federal IT and data-related expenditures. Further analysis would require access to historical contract databases to identify prior awards for these specific services or comparable ones.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to market rates for similar data access platforms?

Determining a precise per-unit cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of users, the specific features of ALTMETRIC and FIGSHARE access included, and the duration of access per unit. The total contract value is $1.7 million over roughly 1464 days (approx. 4 years). If we consider this as an enterprise-wide license, the cost per day is approximately $1161. If we were to estimate a hypothetical number of users, say 500, the cost per user per day would be around $2.32. This figure needs to be compared against market rates for comparable data analytics and research platforms. Many platforms offer tiered pricing based on user count, data volume, and feature sets. Without specific details on the service level agreement and user base, a definitive market comparison is difficult. However, for specialized scientific and research data access, costs can range significantly, and this daily per-user rate appears plausible for a niche, high-value data source.

What is the track record of DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC. with federal contracts, particularly with the EPA?

DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC. has a history of federal contracting, as indicated by this award. To assess their track record, one would typically examine past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. The fact that they were awarded this contract, especially if competed under SAP, suggests they met the basic requirements and were deemed capable. A deeper dive into their contract portfolio would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on previous contracts, and their experience with agencies like the EPA. Without specific past performance data, it's assumed they have demonstrated sufficient capability and reliability to be considered for this award. Examining their award history across different agencies can also indicate their breadth of experience and market penetration.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include vendor lock-in, where the EPA becomes overly reliant on DIGITAL SCIENCE & RESEARCH SOLUTIONS INC. and finds it difficult or costly to switch providers. Another risk is the potential for service degradation or unmet performance expectations, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract type and procurement process. The firm-fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to deliver services efficiently within the agreed budget. The competitive procurement process, even under SAP, aims to select a vendor capable of meeting requirements. Furthermore, contract clauses typically include performance standards, reporting requirements, and remedies for non-performance. The EPA's contract management team will monitor performance, and the agency can leverage competition in future procurements to ensure continued value and service quality.

How does this contract align with the EPA's broader mission and strategic goals regarding data utilization?

This contract directly aligns with the EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment by providing essential data and analytical tools. Access to platforms like ALTMETRIC and FIGSHARE likely supports critical functions such as environmental monitoring, scientific research, policy development, and regulatory enforcement. By enabling EPA staff to access and analyze diverse datasets, the agency can make more informed decisions, identify emerging environmental issues, and assess the effectiveness of its programs. In an era where data-driven insights are paramount, this investment underscores the EPA's commitment to leveraging advanced information resources to achieve its strategic objectives and enhance its scientific and operational capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 625 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02139

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $221,144

Exercised Options: $169,709

Current Obligation: $169,709

Actual Outlays: $122,180

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline