NIH Spends $37.3M on Periodical Subscriptions via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,287,086 ($37.3M)
Contractor: Swets Information Services Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2007-08-27
End Date: 2012-09-21
Contract Duration: 1,852 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PLACE NEW AND RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SERIALS AND PERIODICALS PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, WESTERN EUROPE, THE U.K., AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. SERVICES WILL BE OBTAINED FOR MANAGING SERIALS
Place of Performance
Location: RUNNEMEDE, CAMDEN County, NEW JERSEY, 08078
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $37.3 million to SWETS INFORMATION SERVICES INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PLACE NEW AND RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SERIALS AND PERIODICALS PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, WESTERN EUROPE, THE U.K., AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. SERVICES WILL BE OBTAINED FOR MANAGING SERIALS Key points: 1. Significant investment in access to US, Canada, and Western Europe publications. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for good value. 3. Risk is moderate, primarily related to subscription management efficiency. 4. Sector is Information Technology/Services, supporting research and administration.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $37.3M over five years for periodical subscriptions appears reasonable given the scope of international publications. Benchmarking against similar large-scale library acquisition contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should drive favorable pricing. The definitive contract structure allows for flexibility in managing subscription needs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure publications at the best possible price for federal research and administrative functions.
Public Impact
Ensures access to critical research and information for government agencies. Supports the dissemination of knowledge through timely subscription renewals. Facilitates informed decision-making by providing access to current periodicals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for price increases in subsequent contract periods.
- Reliance on a single vendor for a broad range of subscriptions.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Long-term contract provides stability for information access.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on information acquisition and management. Spending benchmarks for similar federal library and periodical acquisition contracts are typically tied to agency research needs and publication costs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate specific participation or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. The nature of large-scale periodical subscriptions may limit direct small business involvement, though they could be subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The definitive contract structure with a fixed price suggests a degree of oversight on costs. Further review of performance metrics and vendor reporting would clarify the extent of accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Subscription costs may escalate over time.
- Dependence on international postal and distribution systems.
- Ensuring continued relevance of publications over contract duration.
Tags
book-periodical-and-newspaper-merchant-w, department-of-health-and-human-services, nj, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $37.3 million to SWETS INFORMATION SERVICES INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PLACE NEW AND RENEWAL SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SERIALS AND PERIODICALS PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, WESTERN EUROPE, THE U.K., AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. SERVICES WILL BE OBTAINED FOR MANAGING SERIALS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SWETS INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
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 $37.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-08-27. End: 2012-09-21.
What is the cost per publication or per subscriber?
The provided data aggregates the total contract value without breaking down costs per individual publication or subscriber. To determine this, one would need access to the detailed pricing schedules within the contract and a list of all subscribed periodicals and their respective costs.
What are the risks associated with managing a large volume of international periodical subscriptions?
Risks include potential delays in delivery due to international shipping, currency fluctuations impacting costs, changes in publication availability or editorial focus, and the administrative burden of tracking and managing thousands of subscriptions across different regions and publishers.
How effectively does this contract support the NIH's research and information needs?
The contract's effectiveness hinges on the relevance and timeliness of the periodicals procured. Assuming the selection process aligns with NIH's research priorities, it likely provides essential current information. Performance metrics and user feedback would offer a clearer picture of its actual support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Miscellaneous Nondurable Goods Merchant Wholesalers › Book, Periodical, and Newspaper Merchant Wholesalers
Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Swets & Zeitlinger Group B.V.
Address: 160 E 9TH AVE, RUNNEMEDE, NJ, 08078
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $104,181,701
Exercised Options: $37,305,837
Current Obligation: $37,287,086
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-08-27
Current End Date: 2012-09-21
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-11-23
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →