HHS OGC Spends $17.8M on Westlaw for Exclusive Legal Research Access

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,864,746 ($17.9M)

Contractor: West Publishing Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-01-07

End Date: 2025-07-09

Contract Duration: 1,279 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TO PROVIDE TO THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) ONLINE ACCESS TO LEGAL, NEWS, AND BUSINESS DATABASES THAT ARE EXCLUSIVELY ON THE WESTLAW LEGAL RESEARCH PLATFORM. OGC HAS A NEED FOR AN ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH DATABASE PLATFORM IN ORDER TO PERFORM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17.9 million to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION for work described as: TO PROVIDE TO THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) ONLINE ACCESS TO LEGAL, NEWS, AND BUSINESS DATABASES THAT ARE EXCLUSIVELY ON THE WESTLAW LEGAL RESEARCH PLATFORM. OGC HAS A NEED FOR AN ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH DATABASE PLATFORM IN ORDER TO PERFORM Key points: 1. Spending is concentrated on a single vendor, West Publishing Corporation, for exclusive access to Westlaw. 2. The contract value of $17.8M over 1279 days suggests a significant reliance on this platform. 3. Potential risk of vendor lock-in and limited alternatives for essential legal research. 4. The IT sector, specifically legal tech and information services, is the relevant domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $17.8M contract for Westlaw access appears to be a standard, albeit substantial, expenditure for comprehensive legal research services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for legal databases is difficult without more specific service level data, but the price reflects the proprietary nature of the Westlaw platform.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. However, the specific requirement for 'exclusively on the Westlaw legal research platform' may have inherently limited the competitive landscape to those capable of providing or integrating with Westlaw's proprietary content.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding essential legal research capabilities for the OGC. While competition was sought, the cost reflects the specialized nature of the service and the potential for limited alternatives in the market.

Public Impact

Ensures OGC has access to critical legal information for decision-making and compliance. Supports the Department of Health and Human Services' legal operations and advisory functions. Potential for increased efficiency in legal research for government attorneys and staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Vendor lock-in due to exclusive platform requirement
Limited competitive options for specialized legal research
Potential for price increases in future renewals

Positive Signals

Ensures access to critical legal resources
Supports essential government functions
Awarded under full and open competition

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically focusing on legal technology and information services. Government spending on legal research platforms like Westlaw is common, with costs varying based on the scope of access, number of users, and specific databases included. Benchmarks are difficult without detailed service comparisons.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The nature of specialized legal research platforms often favors larger, established providers. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could offer comparable services or support.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources. Oversight would typically involve contract management to ensure delivery of services and adherence to terms, with the OGC itself being the primary user and beneficiary.

Related Government Programs

Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Programs

Risk Flags

High contract value
Reliance on a single, proprietary platform
Potential for limited future competition
Lack of explicit small business participation noted

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17.9 million to WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION. TO PROVIDE TO THE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC) ONLINE ACCESS TO LEGAL, NEWS, AND BUSINESS DATABASES THAT ARE EXCLUSIVELY ON THE WESTLAW LEGAL RESEARCH PLATFORM. OGC HAS A NEED FOR AN ONLINE LEGAL RESEARCH DATABASE PLATFORM IN ORDER TO PERFORM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEST PUBLISHING CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-07. End: 2025-07-09.

What is the total cost per user per year for this Westlaw subscription?

The contract value is $17,864,745.76 over 1279 days (approximately 3.5 years). Without knowing the exact number of users, it's impossible to calculate a precise per-user cost. However, a rough estimate can be made by dividing the total cost by the duration in years and then by an estimated number of users, which would likely still be a significant figure given the comprehensive nature of Westlaw.

Are there any alternative legal research platforms that could meet OGC's needs, even if they require integration?

While the current contract specifies exclusivity to Westlaw, agencies should periodically assess the market for alternative legal research platforms. Competitors like LexisNexis offer similar comprehensive services. The government could explore options that might offer cost savings or broader access, potentially through integrated solutions or by negotiating different service models.

How is the effectiveness of Westlaw usage measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effectiveness is likely measured through user satisfaction surveys, the ability of OGC to access necessary legal precedents and statutes promptly, and the overall efficiency gains in legal research tasks. Performance metrics might be tied to the availability and accuracy of information, and the support provided by West Publishing Corporation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS

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: Thomson Company Inc, the

Address: 2900 AMES CROSSING RD STE 100, EAGAN, MN, 55121

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,864,746

Exercised Options: $17,864,746

Current Obligation: $17,864,746

Actual Outlays: $16,429,065

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F026DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline