HUD awards $287K for online investigative records, with West Publishing Corporation as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $287,372 ($287.4K)

Contractor: West Publishing Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $789/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ON-LINE INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS SEARCH SERVICES

Place of Performance

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

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $287,371.92 to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION for work described as: ON-LINE INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS SEARCH SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized online research services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of one year provides flexibility. 5. Services align with the need for digital information access. 6. Contractor has a significant presence in legal and business information services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $287,371.92 for one year of online investigative records search services seems within a reasonable range for specialized data access. Benchmarking against similar contracts for legal research databases or investigative tools would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the fixed-price nature and the contractor's established position, the pricing is likely competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This method typically fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests multiple entities likely vied for this award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in essential research tools.

Public Impact

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) benefits from access to critical online investigative records. These services support HUD's mission by enabling thorough research and due diligence. The impact is primarily within HUD's operational and administrative functions, supporting decision-making. Workforce implications include enabling HUD analysts and investigators to efficiently access necessary data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Contractor is a well-established provider of information services.
Contract duration is for one year, allowing for periodic reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals sector, specifically for online investigative records. The market for such services is driven by the increasing need for digital information access for research, legal, and investigative purposes. Companies like West Publishing Corporation are key players, offering extensive databases and search functionalities. Comparable spending might include subscriptions to legal databases, news archives, and specialized business intelligence platforms.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides. West Publishing Corporation is a large, established company, suggesting that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are unlikely unless specific needs arise that are outside the prime contractor's core offerings.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within HUD. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported.

Related Government Programs

Online Legal Research Services
Internet Search Engine Services
Information Database Subscriptions
Investigative Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $287,371.92 to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION. ON-LINE INVESTIGATIVE RECORDS SEARCH SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $287,371.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the track record of West Publishing Corporation with federal government contracts?

West Publishing Corporation, operating under Thomson Reuters, has a long history of providing information services to various government agencies. Their federal contract history includes numerous awards for legal research platforms, regulatory information, and business intelligence tools. These contracts often span multiple years and cover a wide range of services essential for legal, investigative, and policy-making functions within agencies like the Department of Justice, Congress, and various regulatory bodies. Their extensive experience suggests a strong understanding of government procurement requirements and service delivery expectations.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar federal procurements for online research services?

The contract value of approximately $287,000 for a one-year term for online investigative records search services is moderate. Similar federal contracts for comprehensive legal research platforms (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis) can range from tens of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope of access, number of users, and specific modules included. This particular award appears to be for a focused set of investigative records, rather than a full-suite legal research subscription, making its value point seem reasonable within the broader landscape of information services procurement.

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

The primary risks include potential underutilization of the service, data accuracy issues, or the contractor failing to meet service level agreements. Underutilization risk is mitigated by ensuring proper training and integration of the service into HUD's workflows. Data accuracy is an inherent risk with any information service, but reputable providers like West Publishing Corporation have robust data validation processes. Service level agreement failures are mitigated by the contract terms, which would outline remedies for non-performance. The firm fixed-price nature also mitigates financial risk for the government.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' procurement method in ensuring value for this type of service?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for services like online investigative records. It allows a wide range of potential providers, including established players and potentially innovative newcomers, to bid. This broad competition drives down prices and encourages providers to offer the best possible service features and support to win the contract. For specialized information services, it ensures that agencies can access a competitive marketplace rather than being locked into a single vendor, thereby maximizing the return on investment for taxpayer funds.

What are the historical spending patterns for HUD's procurement of similar online research or investigative tools?

Analyzing HUD's historical spending on similar services would provide context for this $287,000 award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain trends. However, federal agencies, including HUD, increasingly rely on digital information resources. Spending in this category has generally trended upwards across government due to the digitization of records and the need for efficient data analysis. This contract likely represents a portion of HUD's broader investment in information technology and data management tools necessary for its operations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 86615625Q00005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Thomson Company Inc, the

Address: 2900 AMES CROSSING RD STE 100, EAGAN, MN, 55121

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,525,686

Exercised Options: $287,372

Current Obligation: $287,372

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F026DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline