Epipeline buy extends market information

Epipeline, a company that provides market research information for federal government contractors, has acquired B2Gsource, an Austin, Texas-based firm that specializes in state and local government information.

Epipeline's services let contractors find and research government market opportunities. The firm's Web portal offers tools that make the company's subscription offerings more valuable to customer firms than the raw data available on FedBizOpps.gov, said Tim Walsh, epipeline's chief executive officer.

Walsh said the acquisition will broaden the reach of the combined company. B2Gsource will keep its offices in Texas, he said. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"B2G was looking for someone to provide more research about the federal market to their customer base," he said. "We were looking for a state and local partner because we had a lot of federal customers looking to expand into state and local" markets.

Customers will now be able to see federal, state or local government information, Walsh said, but only if they pay for access.

Companies serving the federal government that have no need for state and local information will not see it.

Epipeline has about 400 customers, totaling 6,000 users, he added. B2Gsource has about 600 customers and 750 users.

Epipeline competes with bigger research firms, including Input and Federal Sources Inc. The company's pricing, however, makes it a more affordable choice for smaller companies, he said.

Sheila Scott, vice president of Ascellon, said she uses epipeline to track contracts that are due to be recompeted within a year, she said.

"You can do the searches based on your business category or what line of business you're in," Scott said. "As a small business, you have limited resources, and this is a way to outsource some of your research."

Scott said she tried Input's service but found its information oriented toward larger companies pursuing larger contracts.

"The services offered by companies like Input and Fed Sources are valuable compilations of public-domain information but traditionally not viable solutions for small businesses, based on cost," said Guy Timberlake, co-founder and chief visionary officer of the American Small Business Coalition.