NSF awards $2.25M for LexisNexis licenses, ensuring access to vital legal and business information

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,500 ($22.5K)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEXISNEXIS LICENSES

Place of Performance

Location: MIAMISBURG, MONTGOMERY County, OHIO, 45342

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $22,500 to RELX INC. for work described as: LEXISNEXIS LICENSES Key points: 1. Value for money is assessed through benchmarking against similar data service contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low given the established nature of the service and contractor. 4. Performance context relies on the contractor's history of providing reliable data access. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the information services category for research institutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.25 million for LexisNexis licenses appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar data subscription agreements for academic and research institutions. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. While specific per-unit cost comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact user count and access levels, the overall price is consistent with the high cost of comprehensive legal and business databases.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a competitive process is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method of competition implies a market where multiple providers could meet the requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing.

Public Impact

Researchers and staff at the National Science Foundation benefit from access to critical legal and business information. The services delivered include access to a vast database of legal documents, news, and business analytics. The geographic impact is national, supporting NSF's mission across the United States. Workforce implications include enabling NSF employees to conduct thorough research and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for price increases in future renewals if competition diminishes.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical information resources.

Positive Signals

Ensures continued access to essential research tools.
Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for good value.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.

Sector Analysis

The information services sector, particularly providers of legal and business data, is characterized by a few dominant players and high subscription costs. Contracts like this are common across government agencies and academic institutions that require access to comprehensive databases for research, legal compliance, and policy analysis. Benchmarking against other federal agencies' spending on similar data services would provide further context on market rates.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the nature of the service (legal and business database subscriptions), it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary providers of such comprehensive platforms. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly indicated and are generally not a feature of these types of enterprise-level software licenses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price agreement and the defined period of performance. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, allowing for scrutiny of its terms and value.

Related Government Programs

LexisNexis Subscription Services
Legal Information Databases
Business Intelligence Platforms
Federal Research Information Access

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of data services.
Reliance on a single provider for critical information resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $22,500 to RELX INC.. LEXISNEXIS LICENSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,500.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the historical spending trend for LexisNexis licenses at the National Science Foundation?

Analyzing historical spending data for LexisNexis licenses at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is crucial for understanding long-term cost trends and budget predictability. While the provided data focuses on a single delivery order, a comprehensive review would involve examining previous contracts, including their values, durations, and any modifications. This analysis would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing over time. For instance, if previous contracts were significantly lower in value, it might prompt a closer look at the justification for the current award amount, considering inflation, expanded scope, or market shifts. Conversely, consistent spending patterns could indicate stable pricing and predictable needs. Understanding these historical patterns helps in assessing the current award's value proposition and identifying potential areas for cost savings in future procurements.

How does the per-unit cost of this LexisNexis contract compare to other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost of this LexisNexis contract against those of other federal agencies is essential for evaluating value for money. However, obtaining precise per-unit cost comparisons can be challenging due to variations in contract scope, user numbers, access levels (e.g., full database vs. specific modules), and negotiated discounts. Agencies often procure these services through different contract vehicles or task orders, making direct comparisons difficult without detailed knowledge of each contract's specifics. A thorough analysis would involve identifying comparable contracts across agencies, normalizing for user counts and service scope, and then comparing the resulting rates. If the NSF's per-unit cost is significantly higher than the government-wide average or that of similar-sized agencies, it could indicate a less favorable pricing negotiation or a need to explore alternative procurement strategies or vendors.

What are the specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this LexisNexis contract?

The specific performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) tied to this LexisNexis contract are critical for ensuring the National Science Foundation (NSF) receives the expected level of service and access. While the provided data confirms a firm fixed-price contract with a defined period of performance, it does not detail the performance standards. Typically, SLAs for such services would include uptime guarantees for the platform, data accuracy and update frequency, customer support response times, and potentially data security protocols. The NSF's ability to enforce these SLAs and the remedies available in case of non-compliance are key aspects of contract oversight. Without explicit performance metrics, it is difficult to quantitatively assess the contractor's performance and ensure the value derived from the $2.25 million investment aligns with the agency's operational needs and expectations.

What is the track record of RELX INC. (parent company of LexisNexis) in fulfilling federal contracts for information services?

RELX INC., the parent company of LexisNexis, has a substantial track record in fulfilling federal contracts for information services. As a major provider in this space, they frequently secure contracts across various government agencies, including research institutions and legal departments, for access to their extensive databases. Their history generally indicates a capacity to deliver reliable access to legal, news, and business information. However, a detailed assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and customer satisfaction feedback specific to their federal engagements. Understanding their performance history, including any challenges encountered and how they were resolved, provides valuable insight into the reliability and potential risks associated with this current award to the National Science Foundation.

What is the potential impact of this contract on small business participation in federal IT or information services procurement?

This specific contract for LexisNexis licenses is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on small business participation in federal IT or information services procurement. The nature of the requirement—enterprise-level access to a proprietary database—typically necessitates contracting with large, established providers like LexisNexis. Small businesses are generally not in a position to offer competing, comprehensive platforms of this scale. Therefore, there is no explicit small business set-aside mentioned, nor is subcontracting by LexisNexis to small businesses a common feature of such agreements. The primary focus is on securing access to essential information resources for the agency, rather than fostering small business opportunities within this particular procurement vehicle.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT 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 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: $201,924

Exercised Options: $22,500

Current Obligation: $22,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREA22D0014

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline