USDA Forest Service Awards $6.89M Contract to RELX INC. for Periodical Publishing Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $688,692 ($688.7K)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-04-04

End Date: 2027-04-03

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $472/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RELX INC LEXISNEXIS

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMISBURG, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45342

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $688,692 to RELX INC. for work described as: RELX INC LEXISNEXIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to RELX INC. for periodical publishing. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract has a duration of 1460 days. 4. The award amount is $6,886,920. 5. The contract is firm fixed price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.89M over four years for periodical publishing services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for information services is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition suggests a robust price discovery process. This method allows multiple vendors to bid, potentially leading to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for taxpayers, as the government's liability is capped at the agreed-upon price.

Public Impact

Ensures access to essential periodicals for the Forest Service. Supports the dissemination of information within the agency. Potential for improved operational efficiency through timely information access.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service scope for benchmarking.
Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

The Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture, requires ongoing access to a wide range of periodicals for research, policy, and operational needs. Spending in this sector is typically driven by information access and management requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses participated in or benefited from this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business inclusion.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Forest Service is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Periodical Publishers
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (4 years).
Specific service details are not provided.
No indication of small business participation.
Potential for vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $688,692 to RELX INC.. RELX INC LEXISNEXIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $688,692.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-04. End: 2027-04-03.

What specific periodicals and information services are included in this contract, and how do they support the Forest Service's mission?

The contract likely covers a broad range of scientific, technical, and policy-related periodicals relevant to forestry, environmental science, and land management. These services are crucial for keeping researchers and decision-makers informed about the latest findings, regulations, and best practices, directly supporting the Forest Service's mission of managing national forests and grasslands.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns or scope creep given the firm fixed price contract?

With a firm fixed price contract, the primary risk of cost overruns lies with the contractor. Scope creep is a potential risk if the Forest Service requests additional services not originally defined. Clear contract management and change control processes are essential to mitigate this risk and protect taxpayer funds.

How effectively does this contract ensure the Forest Service has access to timely and relevant information compared to alternative procurement methods?

Full and open competition, combined with a firm fixed price, suggests an effective method for securing timely and relevant information access at a competitive price. This approach allows for a broad market solicitation, potentially leading to better service offerings and pricing than sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Relx PLC

Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE BLDG 4, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,047,096

Exercised Options: $1,047,096

Current Obligation: $688,692

Actual Outlays: $456,532

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREA22D0014

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline