Commerce Awards $51.9M for Patent Data Capture, Sole-Sourced to Reed Technology

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,888,308 ($51.9M)

Contractor: Reed Technology and Information Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2015-02-01

End Date: 2016-01-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $142.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PATENT DATA CAPTURE BRIDGE CONTRACT PRE-GRANT PUBLICATION

Place of Performance

Location: HORSHAM, MONTGOMERY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19044

State: Pennsylvania Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $51.9 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC for work described as: PATENT DATA CAPTURE BRIDGE CONTRACT PRE-GRANT PUBLICATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $51.9M for patent data capture services. 2. Sole-sourced award to Reed Technology and Information Services LLC. 3. Potential risk due to lack of competition. 4. Services fall under the 'All Other Publishers' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $51.9M for patent data capture is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. As a sole-source award, there's no direct pricing comparison to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This 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 in this sole-source award may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been competitively bid.

Public Impact

Impacts the efficiency of patent data processing and accessibility. Ensures the capture and publication of patent data for public use. Reliability of patent data depends on the contractor's performance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
Lack of transparency in pricing
Potential for cost overruns without competition

Positive Signals

Essential service for patent data capture
Established contractor with specific expertise

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the information services sector, specifically related to data processing and publishing. Benchmarks for similar patent data capture services are scarce due to the specialized nature and often unique contract structures.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Reed Technology and Information Services LLC, a firm. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award.

Oversight & Accountability

As a sole-source contract, oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance. The USPTO should monitor the contractor's deliverables and costs closely to mitigate risks associated with the lack of competition.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for price inefficiency
Limited transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $51.9 million to REED TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SERVICES LLC. PATENT DATA CAPTURE BRIDGE CONTRACT PRE-GRANT PUBLICATION

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 $51.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-02-01. End: 2016-01-31.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. Without further details, it's difficult to assess the validity of this justification and whether it truly precluded competitive bidding.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source contract for patent data capture?

The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. There's also a risk of complacency from the contractor, potentially impacting service quality or innovation. Furthermore, it limits opportunities for other capable firms to demonstrate their services.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the USPTO's mission?

This contract is vital for the USPTO's mission of processing and disseminating patent information. Effective data capture ensures the integrity and accessibility of patent records, which is fundamental for innovation, research, and legal certainty for inventors and businesses.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 7 WALNUT GROVE DR, HORSHAM, PA, 19044

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,888,308

Exercised Options: $51,888,308

Current Obligation: $51,888,308

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT1500003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline