EPA Renews Law360 Subscription for $11,004, Supporting Legal Research and Policy Awareness

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,004 ($11.0K)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: R612 - RENEWAL FOR 3-USER YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION FOR LAW360 (VIA RELX/LEXISNEXIS) TO SUPPORT LEGAL RESEARCH, MEDIA MONITORING, AND POLICY AWARENESS FOR THE OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10169

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $11,004 to RELX INC. for work described as: R612 - RENEWAL FOR 3-USER YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION FOR LAW360 (VIA RELX/LEXISNEXIS) TO SUPPORT LEGAL RESEARCH, MEDIA MONITORING, AND POLICY AWARENESS FOR THE OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. Key points: 1. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is renewing a subscription for Law360, a legal research and news platform. 2. The contract is with RELX INC. (parent company of LexisNexis), a major player in legal information services. 3. The renewal is for a 3-year period, indicating ongoing reliance on the service. 4. The primary risk is potential overpayment if alternative, more cost-effective legal research tools exist or emerge.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract price of $11,004 for a 3-year subscription for 3 users appears reasonable for a specialized legal research platform like Law360, which offers comprehensive coverage. However, without direct comparable contract data for similar services or specific user counts, a precise benchmark is difficult.

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 method generally promotes competitive pricing, although the specific nature of Law360's content may limit the number of viable alternatives.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the cost of this subscription, which supports essential functions of the Office of External Affairs. The competitive award process aims to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports critical legal research and policy awareness for the EPA's Office of External Affairs. Provides access to timely legal news and analysis, crucial for regulatory and policy development. Ensures EPA staff have up-to-date information on legal precedents and media coverage relevant to their mission.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for higher cost compared to aggregated legal research platforms.
Reliance on a single vendor for specialized legal and media monitoring.

Positive Signals

Supports critical agency functions.
Awarded through full and open competition.

Sector Analysis

The legal research and information services sector is characterized by specialized content providers. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for up-to-date, accurate legal and regulatory information, with prices varying based on content depth, user count, and subscription duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to involve small businesses, as it is a renewal with a large established vendor, RELX INC. There is no indication of set-asides for small businesses in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded via a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying some level of pre-negotiated terms and oversight. The duration and fixed-price nature suggest clear accountability for the service provided.

Related Government Programs

Periodical Publishers
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized content.
Lack of direct cost comparison data for similar services.
Subscription cost may not be optimized without regular market review.
Reliance on a single provider for critical information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $11,004 to RELX INC.. R612 - RENEWAL FOR 3-USER YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION FOR LAW360 (VIA RELX/LEXISNEXIS) TO SUPPORT LEGAL RESEARCH, MEDIA MONITORING, AND POLICY AWARENESS FOR THE OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11,004.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the total cost of ownership for legal research services across the EPA, and how does this Law360 subscription compare?

Determining the total cost of ownership for legal research services across the EPA requires aggregating spending on all relevant subscriptions and databases. This $11,004 renewal for Law360 represents a specific investment. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing this cost against other legal research tools, internal resources, and the perceived value derived from each service to ensure optimal allocation of funds and identify potential cost-saving opportunities through consolidation or alternative solutions.

Are there alternative legal research platforms that offer similar content and functionality at a lower price point for the EPA?

The EPA should periodically assess the market for alternative legal research platforms. While Law360 is a specialized provider, competitors like Bloomberg Law, Westlaw, and even broader legal databases might offer comparable or overlapping content. Evaluating these alternatives based on specific EPA needs, user feedback, and pricing structures could reveal opportunities for cost savings or enhanced value, especially if bundled with other services or negotiated under different contract terms.

How effectively does the Law360 subscription support the specific legal research, media monitoring, and policy awareness needs of the Office of External Affairs?

The effectiveness of the Law360 subscription is best measured by its direct contribution to the Office of External Affairs' mission. This includes how efficiently staff can access critical legal information, monitor relevant media coverage, and stay informed about policy developments. Feedback from end-users regarding the platform's comprehensiveness, ease of use, and the timeliness of its information is crucial. Quantifiable metrics, such as time saved on research or the impact of Law360-derived insights on policy decisions, would provide a clearer picture of its value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERW26Q0026

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Relx PLC

Address: 9443 SPRINGBORO PIKE BLDG 4, MIAMISBURG, OH, 45342

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,816

Exercised Options: $11,004

Current Obligation: $11,004

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREA22D0014

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline