FBI Spends $22.6M on LexisNexis Data Services for Intelligence Gathering
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,632,473 ($22.6M)
Contractor: Relx Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Justice
Start Date: 2014-11-18
End Date: 2017-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,047 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THE FBI REQUIRES DATA INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PEOPLE, REAL ESTATE, NEWS SOURCES, AND LEGAL SOURCES FROM LEXISNEXIS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20535
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Justice obligated $22.6 million to RELX INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE FBI REQUIRES DATA INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PEOPLE, REAL ESTATE, NEWS SOURCES, AND LEGAL SOURCES FROM LEXISNEXIS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION. Key points: 1. Significant investment in critical data for FBI mission support. 2. LexisNexis is a major player in data aggregation and analysis. 3. Potential risk of vendor lock-in and data dependency. 4. IT and Information Services sector with high data needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $22.6M over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for comprehensive data services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for large-scale data subscriptions 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 competitive bidding process. This method is generally effective in achieving fair market prices.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from competitive pricing for essential intelligence data.
Public Impact
Enhances FBI's ability to gather intelligence on individuals, real estate, and legal matters. Supports national security objectives by providing access to diverse information sources. Potential for improved decision-making through comprehensive data analysis.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Data dependency on a single vendor.
- Potential for price increases in future contract renewals.
- Ensuring data accuracy and relevance over time.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical FBI mission functions.
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology and Services sector, specifically data aggregation and analysis. Government spending on such services is substantial, driven by the need for intelligence and operational support.
Small Business Impact
No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Justice to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts would apply, including performance monitoring and financial audits.
Related Government Programs
- Periodical Publishers
- Department of Justice Contracting
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Data security and privacy concerns.
- Dependency on a single provider for critical information.
- Need for ongoing cost-effectiveness assessment.
Tags
periodical-publishers, department-of-justice, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Justice awarded $22.6 million to RELX INC.. IGF::OT::IGF THE FBI REQUIRES DATA INCLUDING INFORMATION ON PEOPLE, REAL ESTATE, NEWS SOURCES, AND LEGAL SOURCES FROM LEXISNEXIS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT ITS MISSION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RELX INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-11-18. End: 2017-09-30.
What is the long-term strategy for data acquisition and how does this contract fit into it?
The long-term strategy likely involves ensuring continuous access to critical data while exploring alternative sources and technologies. This contract represents a significant, but potentially short-term, solution for immediate FBI needs. Future strategies may focus on diversifying data providers, developing in-house analytical capabilities, or leveraging more advanced AI-driven intelligence platforms to reduce reliance on single vendors and adapt to evolving threats.
What are the risks associated with relying on LexisNexis for such a broad range of sensitive data?
Key risks include data security breaches, vendor lock-in, potential for price escalation upon renewal, and the possibility of data bias or inaccuracies impacting intelligence assessments. Over-reliance can also stifle the development of internal capabilities and limit the exploration of innovative data solutions from emerging competitors. Ensuring robust data governance, regular security audits, and contingency planning for data access disruptions are crucial mitigation strategies.
How effectively does this data support the FBI's core mission objectives compared to alternative data sources?
The effectiveness hinges on the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and timeliness of the LexisNexis data in supporting specific FBI investigations and intelligence operations. While LexisNexis offers a broad spectrum of data, its utility must be continuously evaluated against mission requirements and compared to specialized databases or open-source intelligence. The FBI likely uses this as one component of a larger intelligence picture, with its true effectiveness measured by its contribution to successful case outcomes and threat mitigation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Periodical Publishers
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Lexisnexis Special Services Inc (UEI: 210244596)
Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,661,060
Exercised Options: $22,632,483
Current Obligation: $22,632,473
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS02F0048M
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-11-18
Current End Date: 2017-09-30
Potential End Date: 2017-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-12-12
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