Commerce Awards $78.9M for Patent Data Capture and Printing Database to Reed Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $78,883,335 ($78.9M)

Contractor: Reed Technology and Information Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2013-11-20

End Date: 2015-01-31

Contract Duration: 437 days

Daily Burn Rate: $180.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PATENT DATA CAPTURE PATENT PRINTING DATABASE

Place of Performance

Location: HORSHAM, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19044, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $78.9 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC for work described as: PATENT DATA CAPTURE PATENT PRINTING DATABASE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Reed Technology and Information Services LLC for patent data services. 2. The contract value is $78.9 million over its period of performance. 3. Full and open competition was utilized for this procurement. 4. The contract falls under the 'All Other Publishers' NAICS code. 5. This spending is related to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $78.9 million appears reasonable for a two-year period supporting critical patent data operations. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data management and publishing contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a robust process for price discovery and vendor selection. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Ensures the integrity and accessibility of patent data for innovation and legal purposes. Supports the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's mission to promote technological advancement. Provides essential services for the printing and database management of patent information. Impacts businesses and individuals relying on accurate patent records.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration of 437 days may be short for a comprehensive database project.
Fixed-price contract could pose risks if unforeseen technical challenges arise.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Awarded to a single, established vendor.
Supports a critical government function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT and information services sector, specifically focusing on data management and publishing for a government agency. Spending benchmarks for similar large-scale data processing and database contracts can vary significantly based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded through full and open competition, there is no specific indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals mentioned in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.

Oversight & Accountability

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms would apply to ensure performance and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

All Other Publishers
Department of Commerce Contracting
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns on fixed-price contract.
Vendor lock-in risk if data migration is complex.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
Data security and integrity risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $78.9 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC. PATENT DATA CAPTURE PATENT PRINTING DATABASE

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 $78.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-11-20. End: 2015-01-31.

What is the specific scope of 'Patent Data Capture' and 'Patent Printing' to justify the $78.9 million cost?

The $78.9 million contract likely covers comprehensive services including the digitization of existing patent documents, the capture of new patent data, the maintenance and updating of a patent database, and the printing of patent publications. The scope would encompass all associated labor, technology, and infrastructure required to ensure accurate and timely processing of vast amounts of patent information for public access and record-keeping.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for a complex database and printing project?

A firm fixed-price contract for a complex database and printing project carries risks of cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep occur, potentially leading to disputes. The vendor might also cut corners on quality to maintain profitability, impacting data accuracy or system performance. Conversely, the government bears the risk if the vendor's initial pricing was too high.

How effectively does this contract support the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's mission in the digital age?

This contract is crucial for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's mission by ensuring the efficient capture, management, and accessibility of patent data. In the digital age, a robust database is fundamental for searching prior art, facilitating innovation, and maintaining accurate legal records. Effective execution of this contract directly supports the agency's role in promoting technological advancement and economic growth.

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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

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

Address: 275 GIBRALTAR RD, HORSHAM, PA, 19044

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $78,883,335

Exercised Options: $78,883,335

Current Obligation: $78,883,335

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT0410001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline