DOJ awards $8.2M for legal database services to RELX INC. under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,207,457 ($8.2M)
Contractor: Relx Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: CALR-5 - LEGAL DATABASE
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $8.2 million to RELX INC. for work described as: CALR-5 - LEGAL DATABASE Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.2M for one year. 2. RELX INC. is the sole awardee. 3. Services fall under Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.2M for a 1-year duration appears reasonable for specialized legal database services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data processing and hosting would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value and price for the government's needs.
Public Impact
Ensures access to critical legal information for the Department of Justice. Supports ongoing legal research and case management. Potential for data security and privacy concerns related to sensitive legal information.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized databases.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm Fixed Price contract limits cost overruns.
Sector Analysis
The Department of Justice's spending in the IT sector, specifically for data processing and hosting, is significant. This contract aligns with the broader government trend of outsourcing cloud-based infrastructure and data management services.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large corporation (RELX INC.). There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on ensuring the contractor meets service level agreements, data accuracy, and security requirements. The Department of Justice's internal procurement and contract management teams are responsible for monitoring performance.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Offices, Boards and Divisions Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical data.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Data security and privacy considerations.
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-justice, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $8.2 million to RELX INC.. CALR-5 - LEGAL DATABASE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RELX INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2024-09-30.
What specific legal database services are provided under this contract, and how do they compare to commercial alternatives in terms of features and cost?
The provided data identifies the NAICS code as 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services,' suggesting the core service is access to and management of a legal database. Without further details on the specific database (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, or a proprietary DOJ system), a direct comparison to commercial alternatives is difficult. However, given the firm fixed price and competitive award, the DOJ likely secured a negotiated rate that reflects market value for such specialized information services.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical legal database services, particularly concerning data integrity and future pricing?
Relying on a single vendor, even after competitive bidding, carries risks of vendor lock-in, where switching providers becomes costly and complex. Data integrity is paramount; any issues with the vendor's data accuracy or availability could severely impact DOJ operations. Future pricing could also be a concern if subsequent contract renewals are not subject to the same level of competition or if the vendor significantly increases prices based on the lack of alternatives.
How effectively does this contract support the Department of Justice's mission, and are there measurable outcomes indicating its success?
This contract directly supports the DOJ's mission by providing essential tools for legal research, case preparation, and policy development. Its effectiveness can be measured by metrics such as the speed and accuracy of legal research, the breadth of legal information accessible, and the reduction in manual data processing. While specific outcome metrics aren't detailed here, the continued use of such services implies they are integral to the department's operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
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, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,891,602
Exercised Options: $18,891,602
Current Obligation: $8,207,457
Actual Outlays: $6,297,200
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS19D00000131
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-06
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