DoD's $44.7M LexisNexis subscription provides critical intelligence, but value needs closer scrutiny against market alternatives

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,670,232 ($44.7M)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-03-28

End Date: 2024-03-27

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEXUSNEXIS PROMONITOR SUBSCRIPTION

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.7 million to RELX INC. for work described as: LEXUSNEXIS PROMONITOR SUBSCRIPTION Key points: 1. The contract offers significant value by providing essential intelligence and analytical tools for national security. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting fair pricing, but specific cost-benefit analysis is needed. 3. Performance risks appear low given the mature nature of the service and contractor's established presence. 4. This contract supports a vital function within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's mission. 5. The subscription falls within the broader 'Information Services' sector, a growing area of federal spending. 6. Potential for cost savings exists through exploring alternative data providers or negotiating volume discounts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $44.7 million awarded over five years for LexisNexis PROMONITOR subscriptions represents a substantial investment. Benchmarking this against similar intelligence platform subscriptions across federal agencies is challenging due to proprietary data and specialized use cases. While the service is critical for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing the features and data access to alternative platforms like Westlaw or specialized threat intelligence feeds is warranted to ensure optimal value for taxpayer dollars. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but may limit flexibility in adapting to evolving needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was followed. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. However, the nature of specialized intelligence platforms can sometimes limit the number of truly viable competitors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces. It provides assurance that the selected vendor offers the best value proposition available in the market.

Public Impact

Provides critical intelligence and analytical capabilities to the Department of Defense, specifically the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Supports national security missions by enabling threat assessment, background investigations, and counterintelligence activities. Benefits intelligence analysts, investigators, and decision-makers within the DCSA and potentially other DoD components. The service impacts workforce productivity by providing rapid access to vast amounts of legal, news, and business information. Geographic impact is national, supporting security operations across the United States.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if subscription needs increase beyond initial projections.
Risk of vendor lock-in due to the specialized nature of the platform and data integration.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical intelligence could pose a risk if service is interrupted.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the duration of the award.
Contractor (RELX INC.) has a long-standing presence and established reputation in information services.
The service addresses a clearly defined and critical need for the DCSA.

Sector Analysis

The federal spending on information services, including legal and business intelligence platforms, is substantial. This contract for LexisNexis PROMONITOR falls within the broader Information Services sector, which encompasses data aggregation, analytics, and research tools. The market is characterized by a few dominant players and numerous niche providers. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of intelligence subscriptions, but agencies often spend millions annually on such services to support various mission requirements, from legal research to threat intelligence.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, nor is there explicit information regarding subcontracting to small businesses. The primary contractor, RELX INC., is a large corporation. The focus is on acquiring a specialized service from a major provider, rather than fostering small business participation directly through this specific award. Future opportunities for small businesses might exist in providing complementary services or data feeds, but this contract itself does not appear to be structured to benefit them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Defense contracting officers and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) program managers. The contract's performance is monitored through standard contract administration processes. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability, but detailed usage metrics and cost-effectiveness reviews are typically internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS)
Intelligence Community Information Technology Enterprise (IC ITE)
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules
Defense Information Technology Contracting Office (DITCO) contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost savings through alternative sourcing or negotiation.
Need for clearer metrics to assess direct value and ROI.
Risk of vendor lock-in for specialized intelligence platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.7 million to RELX INC.. LEXUSNEXIS PROMONITOR SUBSCRIPTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-28. End: 2024-03-27.

What is the specific utility and impact of the LexisNexis PROMONITOR subscription on the DCSA's counterintelligence and security mission?

The LexisNexis PROMONITOR subscription provides the DCSA with access to a vast repository of global news, legal documents, business information, and public records. This is critical for conducting thorough background investigations, identifying potential security threats, monitoring foreign influence, and supporting counterintelligence operations. Analysts use the platform to gather intelligence on individuals, organizations, and emerging risks, enabling informed decision-making and risk mitigation. The ability to quickly synthesize information from diverse sources is paramount for maintaining national security and protecting sensitive information. Without such tools, the DCSA's ability to perform its core functions effectively would be significantly hampered, potentially leading to increased security vulnerabilities.

How does the $44.7 million cost compare to similar intelligence and research platform subscriptions across the federal government?

Directly comparing the $44.7 million cost of this LexisNexis PROMONITOR subscription to similar federal contracts is challenging due to the proprietary nature of subscription services and the varied scope of intelligence needs across agencies. However, large-scale subscriptions for comprehensive legal, news, and business intelligence platforms often run into the millions of dollars annually. For instance, other intelligence agencies or large departments like the FBI or State Department may have comparable or even larger expenditures on platforms like Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, or specialized threat intelligence services. The DCSA's spending appears consistent with the scale of its mission requirements, but a detailed benchmark against functionally equivalent services, considering user base and data depth, would be necessary for a precise value assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and value of this LexisNexis subscription for the DCSA?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this LexisNexis PROMONITOR subscription likely focus on accessibility, data coverage, and user satisfaction, rather than direct mission outcome metrics which are harder to attribute solely to the tool. Examples could include: uptime percentage of the platform, breadth and depth of data sources available (e.g., number of countries covered, types of documents indexed), response times for data retrieval, and user adoption rates or satisfaction surveys. While direct impact on preventing security breaches or identifying threats is the ultimate goal, measuring the tool's contribution often involves assessing its effectiveness in supporting the investigative and analytical processes that lead to those outcomes. Contractually, KPIs might also relate to timely delivery of updates and technical support.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor, RELX INC., or the LexisNexis platform that could impact DCSA operations?

Risks associated with RELX INC. and the LexisNexis platform are generally considered low given the contractor's established market position and the mature nature of the service. However, potential risks include: service disruptions due to technical failures or cyber incidents, although such events are rare for major providers. Another consideration is data accuracy or completeness, though LexisNexis employs rigorous data aggregation processes. Vendor lock-in is a strategic risk, as transitioning to an alternative platform could be complex and costly. Furthermore, while not specific to RELX INC., changes in data privacy regulations or geopolitical events could impact the availability or accessibility of certain information, indirectly affecting the platform's utility.

What is the historical spending trend for LexisNexis or similar intelligence services by the Department of Defense over the past five years?

Historical spending data for LexisNexis or similar intelligence services by the Department of Defense (DoD) indicates a consistent and significant investment in information and intelligence platforms. Over the past five years, the DoD has allocated substantial budgets towards acquiring comprehensive research, legal, and threat intelligence tools to support its vast operational and analytical requirements. While the specific figures for this particular LexisNexis PROMONITOR contract total $44.7 million over its duration, overall DoD spending in this category has likely remained robust, potentially showing a slight increase year-over-year due to evolving geopolitical landscapes and the increasing reliance on data analytics. Agencies within the DoD frequently renew and expand contracts for these essential services.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Relx PLC

Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,118,080

Exercised Options: $47,118,080

Current Obligation: $44,670,232

Actual Outlays: $21,332,008

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HS002119A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline