JOFOC - Business Contact Info - SAM Posted 10.20.2026.pdf

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition Page 1 Business Contact and Firmographics Data

RFQ # 041126-26-2218

Justification For Other Than Full and Open Competition

In accordance with RFO FAR 12.102 and CAM 1306.70

Requirement: Business Contact and Firmographics Data

Solicitation Number: 041126-26-2218

Contractor: Data Axle, Inc

Period of Performance: September 18, 2026 - September 17, 2027

Place of Performance: U.S. Census Bureau, Suitland, MD

COR: Sean Kinn

Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity

US Census Bureau (USCB), Acquisition Division.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved

The purpose of this sole source procurement is to acquire business contact information and firmographics data. Specifically, the following products/datasets:

1. Verified-Open U.S. Business Records

2. Verified-Closed U.S. Business Records

3. Deliverable Business Email Contacts

4. U.S. Financial Attributes/Records for the Businesses

5. Commercial Real Estate Attributes/Records for the Businesses

6. Bankruptcy Attributes for Businesses

7. Access to Places Real-Time User Interface (UI)

The period of performance includes a twelve-month base period from September 18, 2026, through September 17, 2027. The overall estimated value of the contract is $550,000.00.

3. Description of the Supplies/Services Required

This requirement seeks to acquire a comprehensive database of business contact information and firmographic attributes. These data are critical inputs for maintaining and updating the Business Frame and its associated contact information systems. At the establishment level, the data will provide near real-time insight into business status and primary points of contact. Integrating these data with existing survey and administrative sources will enhance the timeliness, coverage, and accuracy of program sampling frames, while improving the effectiveness of survey follow-up and outreach efforts leading to potential operational cost savings.

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition Page 2

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Economic Directorate seeks continued investment in alternative data sources like the one sought in this requirement in order to improve the production of key economic data products, including the Principal Federal Economic Indicators (PFEI) to the Annual Integrated Economic Survey to the Economic Census. By leveraging privately generated data, the Census Bureau has reduced respondent burden on businesses, filled data gaps due to nonresponse, and delivered more granular and timely information to support local communities and businesses. These alternative data sources are also essential for providing more accurate and relevant measures of the economy during a time of national economic transformation. This approach represents a forward-thinking investment in statistical quality, efficiency, and responsiveness to national economic needs.

4. Statutory Authority

In accordance with RFO FAR 12.102(b), Table 12-1, the cited statutory authority is 41 U.S.C. 1901.

5. Demonstration that the proposed contractor's unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires using the authority cited

The Economic Directorate of the Census Bureau is continuously seeking to improve the timeliness and quality of statistics while reducing or avoiding direct inquiries. For statistical agencies, acquiring accurate and current business contact information is vital to conducting high‑quality survey collection and effective outreach. Reliable contacts ensure that survey requests reach the appropriate respondents, reduce follow‑up burden, and improve response rates—ultimately strengthening the quality and timeliness of published data. Up‑to‑date business contact details also support smoother communication, faster issue resolution, and more efficient coordination during data collection cycles. Investing in comprehensive contact information helps agencies maintain strong relationships with the business community and enhances the overall effectiveness of official statistics programs. Business contact information includes names, organizational titles, business phone numbers, business addresses, and business email addresses.

This contact information is critical to ensuring adequate response to the entire portfolio of data products produced by the Economic Directorate, from Principal Federal Economic Indicators (PFEI) to the Annual Integrated Economic Survey to the Economic Census. Without this information, response rate could fall below allowable thresholds for publication and data would be suppressed.

The contact information and firmographic data provided by Data Axle, Inc meets this need providing the most comprehensive contact information available across the entire economy and specifically has a unique concentration on small businesses. Data Axle is the only vendor that can satisfy Census’ requirements as Data Axle is unique in providing data on small businesses, which is a slice of the business community that can be difficult to capture accurate contact information from through legacy methods. Other vendors focus on larger businesses, not the small business that Census’ needs information regarding, and do not have adequate coverage of small businesses. Furthermore, Data Axle, Inc distinguishes itself through its exceptional accuracy, breadth, and consistent refresh cycles that ensure users always have access to the most current information. Its data is compiled from vetted, high‑quality sources and validated through rigorous quality checks, reducing the risk of outdated or incomplete contacts. See Section 6 and 8 for further information on market research conducted attempting to locate other vendors to supply small business data.

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition Page 3

Therefore, it is imperative that the source of contact information for the Economic Directorate going forward be provided by Data Axle, Inc.

6. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as possible, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by part 5 and, if not, which exception under part 5 applies

Based on a review of available commercial market information, direct market research engagement with prospective vendors, subject matter expert (SME) analysis, review of the GSA eLibrary, and a search of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Dynamic Search (SBS) tool, the Government identified two (2) commercial firms with data products potentially capable of meeting the requirements for Business Contact data: Data Axle, Inc. and ZoomInfo. Both firms were identified as large businesses under NAICS 541910.

For the direct market research engagement with prospective vendors, the Census Bureau recently established a Commercial Data Acquisition Team (CDAT) focused on strategic sourcing initiatives for the acquisition of commercial data for all areas of the Census Bureau. The CDAT already conducted one

(1) Request For Information in order to gather information on the availability of 16 different types of commercial datasets.

RFI # 1333-HK-0010 was published onto SAM on March 19, 2026, with responses from five (5) vendors:

DAR Partners, Data-Clear, IMC, RJ Tech, and TransUnion. When asked to respond to the RFI stating whether their company could provide the 16 different types of data, specifically for Business Contact data the five vendors responded, with “no”, “yes”, “available”, “available”, and “yes”, respectively. However, the Market Research Team noted that extra care had to be taken when it reviewed submissions. This is because the “yes” and “available” responses for Data-Clear, IMC, RJ Tech, and TransUnion, though initially promising looking, ultimately did not provide information at the proper level of detail that would be expected for the vendor to demonstrate that they actually held the Business Contact data as readily available to offer.

Additionally, the Market Research Team (MRT) conducted additional market research to analyze the vendors’ capabilities for Data Axle, Inc. and ZoomInfo, including the availability quality of data relevant to the project’s required small business population. The Economic Directorate originally intended to procure data from both companies to perform a further analysis on both sets of data. Data Axle, Inc.

demonstrated the most suitable data capability for the requirement, particularly with respect to the identification and coverage of small businesses, which represents a historically difficult-to-collect business population. It was also determined that Data Axle’s data closely aligned with the required population and data elements necessary to support the project.

The MRT subsequently conducted additional market research to determine whether ZoomInfo could provide a viable alternative source. During continued discussions with ZoomInfo in August 2026, ZoomInfo confirmed that it did not maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and stated that it did not intend to obtain an active SAM registration. ZoomInfo further confirmed that it did not have a current partner, reseller, or other contractual mechanism through which it could directly provide its commercial data.

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition Page 4

The availability of other potential sources through the GSA eLibrary and SBA SBS tools was researched.

The market research did not identify another vendor that both (1) possessed commercial data and (2) was presently positioned to provide that data.

Therefore, the market research supports the Government’s determination that Data Axle Inc. is the only known responsible source capable of satisfying the requirement at this time, and that competition is not practicable because no other presently viable source was identified through the market research conducted.

In accordance with RFO FAR 5, this Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition will be publicized on SAM for no less than 30 calendar days.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable

The Government will compare the prices to the Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) and historical acquisitions for these data products. Based on this approach, a determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated price to the Government will be fair and reasonable and will provide the best value to the Government, will be documented in the memo for award..

8. Market Research

Market Research was conducted and documented in accordance with RFO FAR 10 in support of this procurement. Market Research for this procurement consisted of a review of:

1. Historical acquisition information (for commercial data)

2. Subject matter Expert (SME) knowledge in the use and procurement of commercial data

3. Review of businesses on SAM.gov

4. Review of the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) via the GSA eLibrary

5. Market research interactions with commercial data providers via an RFI

6. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) tool utilized to identify small businesses potentially capable of providing the required data.

Based on the review of available information, market research engagement with vendors, subject matter expert knowledge, reviews of the GSA eLibrary and a search of the Small Business Administration Small Business Dynamics Search Tool, two (2) companies were identified as possessing/selling Business Contact data. Those companies were: Data Axle, Inc and ZoomInfo, which are both Large Businesses under NAICS 541910 (Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling).

Subject Matter Expert market research discussions and reviews of sample data from both vendors led the Government to the conclusion that Data Axle could provide higher quality data for small businesses (a historically difficult to collect population of businesses). The Economic Directorate originally intended to procure data from both companies to perform a further analysis on both sets of data. However, during ongoing market research discussions with ZoomInfo in August of 2026 it was determined that ZoomInfo did not possess a current SAM registration (and had no intention of obtaining one). ZoomInfo also confirmed that they did not currently have any partners/resellers or other mechanisms in place to directly do business with the Federal Government. Therefore, Data Axle, Inc was determined to be the only company with Business Contact data available, registered in SAM, not on the Excluded Parties List (EPLS), and able to do business with the Government.

Justification For Other Than Full And Open Competition Page 5

9. Other Facts Supporting the Justification

Not acquiring the required data from Data Axle, Inc would hinder the Economic Directorates efforts to improve response rates and to continue to release critical economic data products such as Principal Federal Economic Indicators (PFEI) to the Annual Integrated Economic Survey to the Economic Census.

Specifically, without this data the Economic Directorate would not have additional information that would allow them to directly contact businesses to encourage survey responses as well as the supplemental indicator of their operating status (open, closed, etc.) that would allow Economic Directorate staff to verify the status of a business.

Finally, note that 13 U.S. Code § 6 (c) prescribes that the Secretary of Commerce shall “acquire and use information available from any source referred to in subsection (a) or (b) of this section instead of conducting direct inquiries.”

10. A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in the acquisition in writing

There is no additional information for this section.

11. Actions to Remove or Overcome Barriers to Competition

The Economic Directorate will continue to perform ongoing market research to identify potential alternate sources of data that meet all of the Government’s technical requirements. Additionally, subject matter experts from the Economic Directorate attend frequent industry events and conferences and are continuously attempting to identify alternate sources.