SSA Renews LexisNexis Subscription for $11.4M, Covering 734 Days
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,392,032 ($11.4M)
Contractor: Relx Inc.
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2024-09-24
End Date: 2026-09-28
Contract Duration: 734 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS IS A RENEWAL OF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE LEXIS, COURTLINK, AND ACCURINT DATABASES. BASE YEAR, WITH 4 OPTION YEARS.
Place of Performance
Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $11.4 million to RELX INC. for work described as: THIS IS A RENEWAL OF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE LEXIS, COURTLINK, AND ACCURINT DATABASES. BASE YEAR, WITH 4 OPTION YEARS. Key points: 1. Annual subscription renewal for critical legal and information databases. 2. Contract awarded to RELX INC., a major information provider. 3. Spending is concentrated within the Web Search Portals and Information Services sector. 4. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding in future renewals.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $11.4M over approximately two years appears reasonable for comprehensive legal and information database access, especially considering the specialized nature of the services provided by LexisNexis.
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. This competitive process likely contributed to achieving a fair market price for the services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure essential services at a reasonable cost, ensuring efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to vital legal research and data for the Social Security Administration. Supports agency operations by providing necessary tools for case management and compliance. Reliable access to information is crucial for informed decision-making within the agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Subscription costs can escalate over time.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical data.
- Potential for service disruptions if vendor experiences issues.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Renewal ensures continuity of essential services.
Sector Analysis
This spending falls within the Information Services sector, specifically Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services. Benchmarks for similar database subscriptions vary widely based on scope and user base, but this appears to be a standard renewal for comprehensive legal research tools.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to RELX INC., a large corporation. There is no indication of specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this particular contract action.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Social Security Administration, indicating internal agency oversight. Further oversight would involve regular performance reviews and budget monitoring to ensure continued value.
Related Government Programs
- Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for price increases in option years.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
- Lack of specific small business participation.
- Need for ongoing performance monitoring.
Tags
web-search-portals-and-all-other-informa, social-security-administration, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $11.4 million to RELX INC.. THIS IS A RENEWAL OF AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION TO THE LEXIS, COURTLINK, AND ACCURINT DATABASES. BASE YEAR, WITH 4 OPTION YEARS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RELX INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-24. End: 2026-09-28.
What is the historical cost trend for this subscription, and how does it compare to inflation or sector-specific price increases?
Analyzing historical pricing data for this LexisNexis subscription is crucial to understand if the current $11.4M renewal reflects reasonable year-over-year increases or significant jumps. Comparing these trends against general inflation rates and specific price escalations within the legal tech and information services sector would reveal if the SSA is receiving a competitive price or if costs are outpacing market norms, potentially indicating a need for renegotiation or exploring alternative vendors.
What are the specific metrics used to measure the performance and effectiveness of these databases for the SSA's operational needs?
The effectiveness of the LexisNexis, CourtLink, and Accurint databases for the SSA hinges on clearly defined performance metrics. These could include user adoption rates, the speed and accuracy of information retrieval, the impact on case resolution times, and the reduction in manual research efforts. Establishing and tracking these KPIs ensures the subscription provides tangible value and supports the agency's mission efficiently, rather than being a passive expenditure.
Are there any planned future reviews or competitive solicitations to ensure continued cost-effectiveness and explore potential alternative solutions?
Given this is a renewal, it's important to understand the SSA's strategy for future procurement. Proactive planning for subsequent competitive solicitations or thorough market research into alternative information providers is essential to prevent vendor lock-in and ensure ongoing cost-effectiveness. Regular reviews of usage and necessity should inform decisions about contract modifications or the pursuit of new, potentially more innovative or economical, solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services › Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 28321324Q00000241
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: $29,174,080
Exercised Options: $11,392,032
Current Obligation: $11,392,032
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 03310323D0035
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-24
Current End Date: 2026-09-28
Potential End Date: 2029-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-29
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