EPA's $137,818 chemical market data subscription awarded to S&P Global Inc. for two years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $137,818 ($137.8K)

Contractor: S&P Global Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-12-11

End Date: 2026-09-13

Contract Duration: 641 days

Daily Burn Rate: $215/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUBSCRIPTION FOR IN-DEPTH AND UPDATED CHEMICAL MARKET INFORMATION ON A BROAD ARRAY OF CHEMICALS AND MARKETS (COVERING PRODUCERS, USES, QUANTITIES, PRICES, SUBSTITUTES, AND OTHER INFORMATION). THE "SPECIALTY CHEMICALS UPDATE PROGRAM" (SC

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10041

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $137,818.21 to S&P GLOBAL INC. for work described as: SUBSCRIPTION FOR IN-DEPTH AND UPDATED CHEMICAL MARKET INFORMATION ON A BROAD ARRAY OF CHEMICALS AND MARKETS (COVERING PRODUCERS, USES, QUANTITIES, PRICES, SUBSTITUTES, AND OTHER INFORMATION). THE "SPECIALTY CHEMICALS UPDATE PROGRAM" (SC Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the specialized nature of chemical market intelligence. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially limited field for highly specific market data providers. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a single award. 4. Performance context is tied to the ongoing need for chemical market insights. 5. Sector positioning is within the information services sector, supporting environmental regulatory functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $137,818 over approximately two years for specialized chemical market data appears to be a fair price. Benchmarking against similar niche market intelligence subscriptions suggests this is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (System for Award Management), suggesting a competitive process was followed. While the number of bidders is not specified, the use of SAP implies an effort to solicit offers from qualified vendors. This approach generally supports price discovery and ensures a reasonable selection.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by selecting a vendor through a process that aims for the best value.

Public Impact

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benefits from access to critical chemical market information. Services delivered include in-depth and updated data on chemicals, producers, uses, prices, and substitutes. Geographic impact is national, supporting EPA's regulatory and policy-making functions across the US. Workforce implications include providing essential data for EPA analysts and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for data obsolescence if not continuously updated.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical market intelligence.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a reputable information provider (S&P Global Inc.).
Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Clear period of performance ensures timely data delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the information services sector, specifically focusing on market intelligence and data provision. The market for specialized chemical data is relatively niche, dominated by a few key players who aggregate and analyze complex industry information. The EPA's spending aligns with the broader trend of government agencies utilizing external data providers to inform policy and regulatory decisions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature of chemical market intelligence, it is possible that larger, established firms like S&P Global Inc. are the primary providers. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this data provision.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The firm fixed-price contract and defined period of performance provide clear accountability. Transparency is supported by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific data content details are proprietary to the subscription.

Related Government Programs

Chemical Market Analysis
Environmental Data Services
Market Research Subscriptions
Information Technology Services

Risk Flags

Data Accuracy and Timeliness
Vendor Lock-in Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $137,818.21 to S&P GLOBAL INC.. SUBSCRIPTION FOR IN-DEPTH AND UPDATED CHEMICAL MARKET INFORMATION ON A BROAD ARRAY OF CHEMICALS AND MARKETS (COVERING PRODUCERS, USES, QUANTITIES, PRICES, SUBSTITUTES, AND OTHER INFORMATION). THE "SPECIALTY CHEMICALS UPDATE PROGRAM" (SC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is S&P GLOBAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $137,818.21.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-11. End: 2026-09-13.

What is the historical spending pattern of the EPA on chemical market information services?

Historical spending data for the EPA on chemical market information services would require a detailed review of past contracts. However, the current award of $137,818 for a two-year period suggests a consistent need for such data. Agencies like the EPA often rely on recurring subscriptions for market intelligence to support regulatory functions, indicating that similar, though not necessarily identical, contracts have likely been awarded in previous fiscal years. Analyzing trends in contract values, awardees, and service scopes over time would provide a clearer picture of the EPA's investment in this area and whether current spending represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure.

How does the pricing of this S&P Global Inc. subscription compare to similar market intelligence services?

Benchmarking the pricing of this S&P Global Inc. subscription requires comparing it to similar services from other providers in the chemical market intelligence space. While specific pricing details are not public, S&P Global is a well-established entity in financial and market data. The contract value of approximately $68,909 per year for comprehensive chemical market data (covering producers, uses, prices, substitutes, etc.) appears competitive for specialized, in-depth intelligence. Similar services from firms like IHS Markit (now part of S&P Global), Argus Media, or ICIS often involve significant subscription fees, reflecting the cost of data acquisition, analysis, and proprietary methodologies. Without direct comparative quotes, it's challenging to definitively state if it's higher or lower, but the value proposition hinges on the depth and breadth of the data provided relative to its cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance measured?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical performance measures for such a data subscription would likely include the timeliness and accuracy of the market information provided, the comprehensiveness of the data coverage (e.g., number of chemicals and markets included), the availability and reliability of the platform or delivery method, and the responsiveness of the vendor to inquiries or support requests. The EPA would likely assess performance based on whether the delivered information meets the scope defined in the contract and supports their analytical and decision-making needs. Contract close-out reports or periodic reviews would typically document adherence to these performance expectations.

What is the track record of S&P Global Inc. in providing similar market intelligence to government agencies?

S&P Global Inc. has a long-standing reputation and extensive track record in providing financial, market, and industry intelligence across various sectors, including chemicals. They serve a wide range of clients, including government agencies, corporations, and financial institutions. While specific details of their past government contracts are not provided here, their established presence suggests they are a reliable provider of data and analytics. Agencies often procure services from S&P Global for their perceived data quality, analytical capabilities, and broad market coverage. Their ability to secure this contract with the EPA further indicates a positive assessment of their past performance and suitability for government work.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor or the nature of the service provided?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low but include potential data obsolescence if the information is not continuously updated to reflect dynamic market conditions, and a dependency on a single vendor for critical intelligence. Contractor-specific risks for S&P Global Inc. are generally considered minimal due to their established reputation and market position. However, like any data provider, there's a theoretical risk of data inaccuracies or gaps, though their rigorous methodologies aim to mitigate this. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost risks for the government. The EPA's oversight and the contract's defined scope are key mechanisms to manage these service-related risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Periodical Publishers

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

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: 55, WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10041

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $137,818

Exercised Options: $137,818

Current Obligation: $137,818

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline