DHS awards $950K for LexisNexis licenses and implementation, with delivery order ending Dec 2025

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $95,000 ($95.0K)

Contractor: Relx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-08-08

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 145 days

Daily Burn Rate: $655/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LEXISNEXIS LICENSES AND REQUIRED IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $95,000 to RELX INC. for work described as: LEXISNEXIS LICENSES AND REQUIRED IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed against market rates for similar data services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low given the established nature of the service and contractor. 4. Performance context is a short-term delivery order for essential data services. 5. Sector positioning is within information services, supporting TSA's operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $950,000 for LexisNexis licenses and implementation services appears reasonable for a 145-day duration. Benchmarking against similar government or commercial data service contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the established nature of LexisNexis and the firm-fixed-price structure, the pricing is likely competitive. The specific implementation services required will be a key factor in the overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process is a positive indicator for price discovery and potentially achieving a fair market price for the required services and licenses.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service offerings compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Benefits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by providing essential data and search portal services. Delivers critical information resources necessary for TSA's operational functions and decision-making. Geographic impact is national, supporting TSA operations across various locations. Workforce implications include enabling TSA personnel to access and utilize vital data for their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in implementation services if not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical data services, though competition was open.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting market validation.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Established contractor with a known product offering.
Short duration delivery order limits long-term financial commitment.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (NAICS 519290). This sector is characterized by companies providing online information retrieval services, databases, and search engines. Government spending in this area is common for intelligence gathering, research, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar data licensing and implementation services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included a small business set-aside. Given the nature of LexisNexis services, it is unlikely that small businesses would be primary providers for this specific requirement. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly mentioned but could arise during the implementation phase if the prime contractor engages external support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program officials within the TSA. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified goods and services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award process being under full and open competition, with data typically available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

LexisNexis Government Solutions
Information Services Contracts
Data Licensing Agreements
Web Search Portal Services
Transportation Security Administration IT Support

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term value realization.
Implementation services scope needs clear definition to avoid overruns or delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $95,000 to RELX INC.. LEXISNEXIS LICENSES AND REQUIRED IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELX INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $95,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-08. End: 2025-12-31.

What is the historical spending by the TSA on LexisNexis products and services?

Historical spending data for the TSA on LexisNexis products and services would require a detailed analysis of past contract awards. Federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov can be queried for previous awards to RELX INC. (the parent company of LexisNexis) by the TSA or Department of Homeland Security. This analysis would reveal trends in spending, contract durations, and the types of services procured, helping to contextualize the current $950,000 award. Understanding past spending patterns can identify potential increases or decreases in reliance on these services and assess if the current award represents a typical or anomalous expenditure.

How does the per-unit cost of these LexisNexis licenses compare to commercial market rates?

Determining the precise per-unit cost comparison requires detailed knowledge of the specific LexisNexis licenses and the number of users or access points being procured under this $950,000 contract. Commercial market rates for LexisNexis can vary significantly based on the package, user volume, and negotiated discounts. Generally, government entities can negotiate favorable rates due to bulk purchasing power. A direct comparison would involve obtaining LexisNexis's standard commercial pricing for equivalent services and then factoring in any government-specific discounts or contract terms. Without the exact license breakdown, a definitive per-unit comparison is challenging, but the firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined cost structure.

What are the specific implementation services required, and what is the associated risk?

The contract mentions 'required implementation services' alongside LexisNexis licenses. These services could range from initial setup, integration with existing TSA systems, user training, data migration, or customization of search functionalities. The risk associated with these services depends heavily on their complexity and the clarity of the statement of work. If the implementation is straightforward and well-defined, the risk is minimal. However, complex integration or customization could introduce risks such as schedule delays, cost overruns (if not strictly managed within the fixed price), or performance issues if not executed properly. The short duration of the delivery order (ending Dec 31, 2025) suggests the implementation is likely intended to be relatively contained.

What is the track record of RELX INC. (LexisNexis) in fulfilling government contracts?

RELX INC., through its LexisNexis brand, has a significant track record of serving government clients, including federal, state, and local agencies. They are a well-established provider of legal, news, and business information databases. Their experience typically includes providing data access, analytics, and related technology solutions. Government agencies often rely on LexisNexis for research, investigations, compliance, and intelligence gathering. Past performance reviews and contract databases would offer specific insights into their timeliness, quality of service, and ability to meet contractual obligations for similar government procurements.

How does this contract's value compare to other federal spending on similar information services?

The $950,000 award for LexisNexis licenses and implementation is a moderate-sized contract within the broader federal spending landscape for information services. Agencies frequently procure subscriptions to various databases, research tools, and data analytics platforms. The value should be compared against other contracts for similar services, such as those provided by competitors like Westlaw, Bloomberg Law, or specialized data providers. Factors like the number of users, scope of data access, and duration of service significantly influence contract values. This award appears to be for a specific, short-term need, which might be less than larger, multi-year enterprise-wide agreements.

What are the potential performance risks associated with this specific delivery order?

Performance risks for this delivery order are generally considered low to moderate. The primary risk lies in the successful completion of the 'implementation services' within the defined timeframe and budget. If these services involve complex integration or require significant user adoption efforts, there could be challenges. Another potential risk is the reliance on a single vendor for critical data, although the open competition mitigates the risk of vendor lock-in for future procurements. The short duration (less than a year) limits the exposure to long-term performance degradation, but ensures that any issues with the delivered services or licenses would need to be addressed promptly before the order expires.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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: $95,000

Exercised Options: $95,000

Current Obligation: $95,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 03310323D0035

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline