Reed Technology and Information Services LLC awarded $28.34M for FY07 Patent and Trademark Office requirements

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $45,113,873 ($45.1M)

Contractor: Reed Technology and Information Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2007-03-28

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS DELIVERY ORDER PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,340,000 FOR FY07 CLIN 001 REQUIREMENTS.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22313

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $45.1 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC for work described as: THIS DELIVERY ORDER PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,340,000 FOR FY07 CLIN 001 REQUIREMENTS. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in supporting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's operational needs. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract (over 2 years) indicates a need for sustained services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The specific NAICS code (511199) points to services related to publishing, likely supporting patent and trademark documentation. 6. Virginia is the state associated with this contract, potentially indicating the location of service delivery or contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28.34 million for a period of approximately two years needs further benchmarking against similar IT support or publishing services contracts for the USPTO. Without comparable data, assessing the value for money is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost predictability, but the actual cost per unit or service delivered would be the key metric for a thorough value assessment. The awarded amount appears substantial, suggesting a significant scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value available in the market for these requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs through market forces and encourage a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which receives essential support services. Services delivered likely include data processing, publishing, and information management related to patents and trademarks. The geographic impact is national, supporting the core functions of a federal agency. Workforce implications may involve specialized roles within Reed Technology and Information Services LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and efficiency of services provided.
The duration of the contract without clear performance benchmarks raises concerns about long-term value.
Limited information on the specific nature of 'FY07 CLIN 001 requirements' hinders a precise understanding of the services rendered.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that could yield favorable pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty to the government.
The contract supports a critical government function (USPTO), indicating essential service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services and publishing sector, specifically supporting the administrative and operational functions of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The NAICS code 511199, 'All Other Publishers,' suggests services related to the production and dissemination of information. Spending in this area is crucial for agencies managing large volumes of data and intellectual property, ensuring efficient processing and public access.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Reed Technology and Information Services LLC, is likely a larger entity capable of fulfilling these requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve contract officers, program managers within the USPTO, and potentially the Inspector General's office for investigations into fraud or mismanagement. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Accountability rests with the contractor to meet the terms of the firm fixed-price agreement and with the agency to monitor performance.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Operations
Federal IT Support Services
Information Publishing Services
Government Contract Data Management

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in long-term fixed-price contracts.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money.
Dependence on contractor's ability to manage complex data publishing requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $45.1 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC. THIS DELIVERY ORDER PROVIDES FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $28,340,000 FOR FY07 CLIN 001 REQUIREMENTS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $45.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-28. End: 2009-12-31.

What was the specific nature of the 'FY07 CLIN 001 requirements' that this delivery order funded?

The provided data does not detail the specific 'FY07 CLIN 001 requirements.' However, given the contractor's NAICS code (511199 - All Other Publishers) and the agency (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), it is highly probable that these requirements pertained to services related to the processing, management, publishing, or dissemination of patent and trademark information. This could include tasks such as data entry, document scanning, indexing, formatting, printing, or digital archiving of intellectual property filings and related documentation. The 'CLIN' (Contract Line Item Number) specifies a particular item or service within a larger contract.

How does the awarded amount of $28.34 million compare to historical spending on similar services by the USPTO?

Without access to historical spending data for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office specifically for 'FY07 CLIN 001 requirements' or comparable services, a direct comparison is not possible. However, $28.34 million represents a substantial investment over the contract's duration (approximately 2.75 years). To assess its comparability, one would need to analyze trends in USPTO spending on IT support, data management, and publishing services over several fiscal years. Factors such as inflation, changes in technology, and evolving agency needs would influence year-over-year spending patterns. A detailed analysis would require benchmarking against similar contracts awarded to other vendors for analogous services.

What is the track record of Reed Technology and Information Services LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Commerce?

Reed Technology and Information Services LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts. While the provided data only shows this specific award from the Department of Commerce (specifically the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), a comprehensive review of federal procurement databases would reveal the full extent of their contract history. This would include the number of contracts awarded, their values, the agencies they served, and their performance ratings, if available. Examining past performance, especially with similar agencies or contract types, is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in fulfilling government obligations.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this magnitude and duration?

Firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts offer cost certainty but can introduce risks if the scope of work is not well-defined or if unforeseen issues arise. For a contract of $28.34 million over nearly three years, risks include the contractor potentially underestimating costs, leading to reduced profit margins or quality compromises. Conversely, if the scope is underestimated by the government, the contractor may seek change orders, increasing the total cost. Scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the original agreement, is a significant risk. Additionally, if the contractor lacks the necessary expertise or resources, performance issues could arise, impacting the USPTO's operations. Robust contract management and clear communication are essential to mitigate these risks.

How does the NAICS code 511199 (All Other Publishers) align with the services typically required by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

The NAICS code 511199, 'All Other Publishers,' aligns with certain functions of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), particularly concerning the dissemination and management of published patent and trademark information. While the USPTO's core mission involves examining and granting patents and registering trademarks, it also generates and manages vast amounts of published data. Services under this code could encompass activities like formatting, printing, digital archiving, and distributing official gazettes, patent abstracts, or trademark registers. It suggests the contract supports the operational aspects of making this intellectual property information accessible to the public and other stakeholders.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Reed Elsevier Group PLC (UEI: 230792756)

Address: 275 GIBRALTAR RD, HORSHAM, PA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,113,873

Exercised Options: $45,113,873

Current Obligation: $45,113,873

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT0410001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline