DOE's $2.3M S&P Global Data License Contract Awarded Sole-Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,313,181 ($2.3M)
Contractor: S&P Global Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-03-01
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: S&P GLOBAL INC LICENSES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20426
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.3 million to S&P GLOBAL INC. for work described as: S&P GLOBAL INC LICENSES Key points: 1. Significant contract value for data licensing services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Risk of vendor lock-in and reliance on a single data provider. 4. IT and data services sector, crucial for energy policy analysis.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $2.3M over two years for data licenses appears high without competitive bidding. Benchmarking against similar data subscriptions from other providers would be necessary to assess true value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these data services.
Public Impact
Access to critical energy market data for policy decisions. Potential for higher costs due to sole-source procurement. Impact on energy market analysis and forecasting capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 30 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential overpricing
Positive Signals
- Access to essential data
- Long-term contract duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and data services sector, specifically providing market intelligence for the energy industry. Benchmarks for similar data licenses vary widely based on data scope and provider.
Small Business Impact
No indication of small business participation in this sole-source award. Opportunities for small businesses in data analytics and related services may be missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Energy obtained fair value and that alternative competitive solutions were adequately considered.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Publishers
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for inflated pricing.
- Lack of transparency in justification.
- Risk of vendor lock-in.
- No clear performance metrics provided.
Tags
all-other-publishers, department-of-energy, dc, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.3 million to S&P GLOBAL INC.. S&P GLOBAL INC LICENSES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is S&P GLOBAL INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.
What specific data and analytical capabilities does S&P Global provide that are unique and essential for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's mission?
The specific data and analytical capabilities are not detailed in the provided information. However, S&P Global typically offers extensive financial market data, energy commodity prices, regulatory filings, and analytical tools crucial for understanding market trends, assessing risks, and informing policy decisions within the energy sector.
What is the justification for awarding this contract sole-source, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable?
The justification for a sole-source award is not provided. Typically, such justifications require demonstrating that only one source can meet the requirement, often due to unique capabilities or proprietary data. Steps to ensure fair and reasonable pricing in sole-source contracts usually involve detailed cost analysis, comparison to historical pricing, or independent government cost estimates.
How will the effectiveness of these data licenses be measured to ensure they contribute to improved energy policy outcomes?
Effectiveness measurement would likely involve tracking the utilization of the data by analysts and policymakers, assessing its impact on the quality and timeliness of reports and analyses, and potentially conducting user satisfaction surveys. Linking data usage directly to improved policy outcomes can be challenging but is essential for demonstrating value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 89603025Q0012
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, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,235,017
Exercised Options: $2,313,181
Current Obligation: $2,313,181
Actual Outlays: $1,124,382
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-01
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-26
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