NLRB Spends $2.6M on Bloomberg Law Subscription for OCIO and Library Branch

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,631,274 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Bloomberg Industry Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Labor Relations Board

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BNA BLOOMBERG LAW SUBSCRIPTION FOR NLRB OCIO, LIBRARY BRANCH

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Labor Relations Board obligated $2.6 million to BLOOMBERG INDUSTRY GROUP, INC. for work described as: BNA BLOOMBERG LAW SUBSCRIPTION FOR NLRB OCIO, LIBRARY BRANCH Key points: 1. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is procuring a Bloomberg Law subscription, a significant investment in legal research resources. 2. Competition was achieved through the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potentially efficient procurement process for this service. 3. The contract's duration of five years suggests a long-term need for these specialized information services. 4. The primary risk lies in the potential for underutilization or the availability of more cost-effective alternatives over the contract's life.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The $2.63 million price for a five-year Bloomberg Law subscription appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive legal research services, especially for a federal agency with extensive legal needs. Benchmarking against similar agency subscriptions for premium legal databases would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically allows for simplified procedures for acquisitions below certain thresholds. While this suggests some level of competition or at least a justification for limited competition, the specific details of the SAP process and whether other vendors were solicited are not provided. This method may not guarantee the lowest possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a critical information resource for the NLRB, ensuring access to legal precedents and analysis. The cost is justified if it enhances agency efficiency and effectiveness in its mission.

Public Impact

Ensures NLRB staff have access to up-to-date legal information and research tools. Supports the agency's mission by providing critical data for labor relations cases and policy development. Potential for improved efficiency in legal research and case preparation for NLRB attorneys and staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized legal research platforms.
Risk of price increases in future renewals.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical legal information.

Positive Signals

Provides access to a comprehensive and widely respected legal research platform.
Supports agency operations with essential information services.
Long-term contract provides budget stability for this service.

Sector Analysis

The Information Services sector is characterized by recurring subscription models for specialized data and research. Federal agencies often rely on these services for mission-critical functions, with costs varying based on the breadth of content and user base. Benchmarks for similar federal contracts for legal databases are typically in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses. The nature of the service, a comprehensive legal research platform, is typically provided by large, established companies.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the National Labor Relations Board's OCIO and Library Branch, suggesting internal oversight for its utilization and effectiveness. Standard federal procurement regulations and agency policies would govern its oversight.

Related Government Programs

All Other Information Services
National Labor Relations Board Contracting
National Labor Relations Board Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding or negotiation.
Risk of underutilization of the full suite of services.
Dependency on a single vendor for critical legal research.
Lack of clear performance metrics for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Labor Relations Board awarded $2.6 million to BLOOMBERG INDUSTRY GROUP, INC.. BNA BLOOMBERG LAW SUBSCRIPTION FOR NLRB OCIO, LIBRARY BRANCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLOOMBERG INDUSTRY GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Labor Relations Board (National Labor Relations Board).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific value proposition of Bloomberg Law over other legal research platforms for the NLRB's unique needs?

The specific value proposition likely lies in Bloomberg Law's specialized content relevant to labor law, its integrated workflow tools, and its comprehensive case law and regulatory databases. For the NLRB, this could translate to more efficient research, better case analysis, and improved understanding of evolving labor relations landscapes, ultimately supporting their core mission more effectively than generic or less specialized platforms.

What are the risks associated with relying on a single vendor for such a critical information service?

The primary risks include vendor lock-in, where switching to a competitor becomes difficult and costly due to data integration and user training. There's also the risk of price escalation upon renewal, as the vendor may leverage the agency's dependence. Furthermore, service disruptions or changes in the vendor's offerings could significantly impact the NLRB's operations, highlighting the need for robust service level agreements and contingency planning.

How will the effectiveness of this subscription be measured to ensure optimal taxpayer value?

Effectiveness can be measured through user adoption rates, feedback surveys from NLRB legal staff, and tracking the time saved on legal research tasks. Key performance indicators could include the number of research queries, the successful retrieval of relevant precedents, and the impact on case resolution times. Regular reviews comparing the subscription's cost against demonstrable improvements in efficiency and mission support will be crucial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

Product/Service Code: BOOKS, MAPS, OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Bloomberg LP

Address: 1801, SOUTH BELL STREET, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,631,274

Exercised Options: $2,631,274

Current Obligation: $2,631,274

Actual Outlays: $2,631,274

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 03310319D0026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline