NIH awards $144.5M contract for library services to Wilson Information Services Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,447,040 ($14.4M)

Contractor: Wilson Information Services Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2008-09-26

End Date: 2013-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LIBRARY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.4 million to WILSON INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION for work described as: LIBRARY SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value represents significant investment in library and archival support. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. Contract duration of five years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) may allow for flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring. 5. Services are essential for supporting research and information dissemination within NIH. 6. Geographic location of contractor in Maryland aligns with agency presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $144.5 million over five years averages to approximately $28.9 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar library services contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the fixed fee component suggests a degree of cost control. The value appears reasonable for comprehensive library and archival support for a major research institution like NIH, assuming the scope of services is broad.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while initial solicitations may have had limitations, the final award was made after a competitive process open to all eligible bidders. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive environment that should drive price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price and encourages efficient service delivery from the winning contractor.

Public Impact

Researchers and staff at the National Institutes of Health benefit from access to comprehensive library resources and archival services. The contract supports the dissemination of scientific information and facilitates research activities. Services are primarily delivered within Maryland, supporting the local economy. The contract ensures the availability of critical information infrastructure for a leading biomedical research agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
The long duration of the contract requires ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Contract duration of five years suggests a stable and ongoing need for these vital services.
The contractor, Wilson Information Services Corporation, has a defined role in supporting NIH's mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Libraries and Archives sector (NAICS 519120), a niche but critical area supporting information management and research. The federal spending on library services, while not as large as other sectors, is essential for agencies like NIH that rely heavily on access to published research, historical documents, and data. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within specific agency library budgets or broader government information services expenditures.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the contract value and the nature of the services, it is likely that larger firms or specialized information service providers were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the National Institutes of Health. Performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract would be used to ensure accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Federal Library Services
Information Management Services
Archival Services
Research Support Contracts
Health and Human Services Agency Support

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (5 years), requiring sustained performance monitoring.
CPFF contract type necessitates diligent cost oversight to prevent overspending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.4 million to WILSON INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION. LIBRARY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILSON INFORMATION SERVICES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-26. End: 2013-09-25.

What is the specific scope of 'library services' covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LIBRARY SERVICES' under NAICS code 519120 (Libraries and Archives). While the specific scope isn't detailed, typical services for a large research institution like NIH would include acquisition and management of journals, databases, books, and other research materials; interlibrary loan services; reference assistance; archival management of institutional records; and potentially digital library development and maintenance. The 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) contract type suggests that the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. This implies a scope that might have some inherent uncertainties or evolving requirements, necessitating flexibility in cost reimbursement.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to other federal library service contracts?

The contract's total value is $144.5 million over five years, averaging approximately $28.9 million annually. Direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific services rendered and the size/scope of the benefiting agency. However, major federal agencies with significant research components, such as the Department of Defense or NASA, also procure substantial library and information services. Annual spending for such services can range from a few million dollars for smaller agencies to tens of millions for large research-intensive organizations. The NIH's annual average of $28.9 million appears to be in the higher range, reflecting its status as a leading biomedical research institution with extensive information needs.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Wilson Information Services Corporation's performance?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided summary data. However, for a contract of this nature, typical KPIs would likely focus on the timeliness and accuracy of information retrieval, the availability and accessibility of resources (both physical and digital), user satisfaction rates among NIH researchers and staff, adherence to budget for reimbursable costs, and the successful management and preservation of archival materials. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and ensuring the contractor meets the performance standards outlined in the contract's statement of work.

What is the historical spending trend for library services at NIH?

The provided data only details one specific contract awarded in 2008 with an end date in 2013. To understand historical spending trends, one would need to examine NIH's library services procurement history over a longer period, looking at multiple contracts, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. This would involve analyzing data from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for previous years. Without this broader historical context, it's impossible to determine if the $144.5 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these services at NIH.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for library services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the government may end up paying more than anticipated if the contractor's costs are higher than projected, even though the fee (profit) is fixed. While CPFF contracts offer flexibility for services where the scope might evolve or is not precisely defined at the outset, they require robust oversight to ensure that costs incurred are reasonable, allocable, and allowable. For library services, risks could include inefficient resource management, overspending on subscriptions or materials if not carefully monitored, or delays in service delivery if the contractor struggles with cost control. Effective government oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Libraries and Archives

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: N02CO8240396

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 42 W MAIN ST, NEW MARKET, MD, 21774

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $39,923,776

Exercised Options: $19,468,400

Current Obligation: $14,447,040

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline