HHS Spends $322,440 on UPTODATE Subscriptions via Competed Purchase Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $322,440 ($322.4K)

Contractor: Nationwide Pharmaceutical LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-05-29

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 701 days

Daily Burn Rate: $460/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UPTODATE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78216

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $322,440 to NATIONWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL LLC for work described as: UPTODATE SUBSCRIPTIONS Key points: 1. Spending on UPTODATE subscriptions totals $322,440. 2. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', suggesting some level of market research. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price purchase order, providing cost certainty. 4. The sector is Software Publishers, with a NAICS code of 513210.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $322,440 for UPTODATE subscriptions appears reasonable given the duration and nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar enterprise-level medical information subscriptions would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competitive process within a certain dollar threshold. This method aims for price discovery but may not achieve the same level of competition as full and open solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential medical information resources, supporting healthcare professionals and potentially improving patient care outcomes.

Public Impact

Provides critical, up-to-date medical information to healthcare professionals within HHS. Supports evidence-based decision-making, potentially leading to better patient care. Ensures access to a widely recognized and utilized clinical decision support tool. The subscription model ensures continuous access to updated medical knowledge.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future renewals.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical information.

Positive Signals

Competed under SAP to ensure some price competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overruns.
Long-term subscription ensures continuous access to vital information.

Sector Analysis

The Software Publishers sector (NAICS 513210) encompasses companies that produce and distribute software. Spending on subscription-based software for information access is common across government agencies, particularly in healthcare and research.

Small Business Impact

Analysis of small business participation is not directly available from the provided data. The nature of UPTODATE subscriptions typically involves larger, established vendors, but subcontracting opportunities for smaller firms in related services could exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via a purchase order, which is a standard procurement instrument. Oversight would involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and ensuring continued access to the subscribed service.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for price increases in future renewals.
Reliance on a single vendor.
Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best possible price.
Contract duration extends into 2027, requiring monitoring for changes in service or pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $322,440 to NATIONWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL LLC. UPTODATE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $322,440.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-29. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the per-user cost or cost per institution for these UPTODATE subscriptions?

The provided data does not specify the per-user or per-institution cost breakdown for the UPTODATE subscriptions. The total award is $322,440 over the contract duration. To assess value more granularly, understanding the number of users or institutions covered by this subscription would be necessary.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for essential medical information?

The primary risk is vendor lock-in and potential price escalation in future renewals, as UPTODATE is a specialized product. There's also a risk if the vendor experiences service disruptions or decides to discontinue the product. Mitigation strategies could include exploring alternative resources during future solicitations.

How effectively does this UPTODATE subscription support the HHS mission compared to alternative information sources?

UPTODATE is a highly regarded clinical decision support tool used by healthcare professionals globally for evidence-based medicine. Its inclusion within HHS likely enhances the quality and consistency of care provided by its personnel. Its effectiveness is generally considered high within the medical community.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 75F40125Q00204

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1211 ARION PKWY STE 118, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78216

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $677,930

Exercised Options: $322,440

Current Obligation: $322,440

Actual Outlays: $157,288

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline